KSFO Events
KEEP THE SPIRIT OF '45 ALIVE!
Some of the last remaining veterans of World War II, the men who fought and the women who served in uniform and on the home front, will gather in History Park at Kelly Park on the afternoon of August 14, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of what is perhaps the Greatest Day of the Greatest Generation: the day the war ended and the peace began. It was a day of national unity. The day the Greatest Generation put down the guns and re-tooled the factories and embarked on a new crusade to reshape the world for their children and their children’s children.
On Saturday, August 14, from noon to 5 p.m. veterans and their families will gather to share their memories of their great day, listening and dancing to live entertainment of the ‘40s, mingling with hundreds of WWII re-enactors, and posing for photographs that will be archived on the Internet and published in a special “Class of ’45” Yearbook. The public is invited, to shake their hand and to thank them for their service to America, and the world.
“It is really important that America remember this day,” said Harold “Skip” Adams, who lost more than 60 per cent of his fellow Marines during the battle for Iwo Jima. “People, especially young folks, need to remember how our country came together as a community, and people took responsibility for each other.”
As young men – some of them just boys – these Americans endured unspeakable hardships to face down the greatest evil the world has ever known. The role of women changed forever as they nursed the wounded, ferried planes across the Atlantic and hammered home the rivets in factories across the nation. United in purpose they prevailed. And then the people of this generation did something unprecedented: They forgave their enemies. They reached out a hand of brotherhood and helped their broken foes and their allies, get back on their feet.
The San Jose gathering will be one of hundreds taking place across the country on August 14 as part of a national initiative called “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive,” a nonprofit grassroots initiative whose goal is to establish a permanent annual day to honor the achievements of the WWII generation. California has officially designated August 14 as “Spirit of ’45 Day,” and Congress will soon pass similar legislation. The initiative is being supported by donations from Vitas Hospice, the History Channel,
U-Haul, the AMVETS Service Foundation of California and several local partners.
The event is free and suitable for all ages. City parking is $6. History Park is located at 1650 Senter Road, between Keyes and Phelan, at Kelley Park.
For more information, please visit www.Spiritof45.org or call 408-918-1042
