Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive Today

Congress has set aside the second Sunday in August as "National Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive Day."  That would be today.  It is a day in which we honor our World War II generation.

McHenry, Illinois, about eight miles from here, had one of the biggest commemorations in the country as I have heard.  It will be held at Veterans Park in downtown McHenry today at 5 P.M. and I am planning on being there.  I was there last year.  Of course, this will mean leaving the St. John's Parishfest in nearby Johnsburg early.

Last  year, they recognized marriages from the era and around thirty couples married during the war or shortly after it and they renewed their vows.  So many couples met because of the war when they wouldn't have during normal times.  Liz's parents met because of the war and doubtfully would have as well as he was from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and she was from Abilene, Kansas.  He was stationed in Kansas in the Quartermaster Corps.

My mother was just 11 when the war started and my father was 13, so did not fight.    But Mom remembers helping out at the Goldsboro, N.C., USO.

I have heard that a real "Rosie the Riveter" will be in attendance.

This year the event will be recognizing the homefront.  Those people who supported the war by sending relatives off to fight it or working in defense factories providing our troops and sailors with what was needed to win the war.

In addition, the 17-piece Pat Crawford Big Band from Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, will be playing and Lou Rougani of WLIP AM 1050 radio in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will be replicating a 40s radio broadcast.

A replica of the "Unconditional Surrender" statue from the famous Times Square "kiss" will be by the gazebo.

My appreciation of the sacrifices made during World War II have increased much because of this blog.  I now know why they call it The Greatest Generation.