Spirit of ’45 events on tap this Sunday
There will be two events to honor World War II veterans and their families this Sunday. One will take place at VFW Post 10097 off of Pine Ridge Road, while the other will happen at Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club off of Summerlin Road.
The national celebration commemorates those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during one of the most pivotal times in American history.
According to the website, www.spiritof45.org, “‘Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive’ is a non-profit, non-partisan initiative to preserve the legacy of the men and women of the Greatest Generation so that their example of courage, self-sacrifice, “can-do” attitude and commitment to community can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America at a time when our country once again must come together to meet historic challenges.”
Its goal and initiative is “to establish an annual day of remembrance and national renewal to remind America of the values and accomplishments of the generation who endured the hard times of the Great Depression, fought to defeat the greatest tyranny in history, and then went on to rebuild their shattered world in an unprecedented effort to help assure a better future for both friend and former foe alike.”
The 2011 national event is celebrating its 69th year.
Beach celebrates at VFW
The fourth annual “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!” event honoring our local WWII veterans will take place this Sunday (Aug. 10) at VFW Post 10097 located at 17770 Pine Ridge Rd.
WWII veterans and their spouse/guest will receive free dinners with a choice of entres-homemade Italian Chicken Valdostana (stuffed with prosciutto and cheese) or Prime Rib. Other attendees may purchase either entre for $12. Dinner reservations were required by Aug. 1.
Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with a social hour (cash bar) and dinner is served 5 to 6 p.m. Forties/fifties and patriotic music provided by DAZ. Ceremonial festivities begin at 6 p.m. with Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker as emcee and color guards and rifle teams from FMB VFW Post 10097, Veterans Club of America Post 1, Cape Coral VFW Post 8463 and Cypress Lake High School ROTC. The Queen’s Piper, guest speakers and the Wreath Ceremony are also included. At 7 p.m., those who wish to step outside the VFW may view and listen to the dual 21-gun salute with Taps and a helicopter flyover by Lee County Sheriffs Dept. (weather permitting) with an aerial salute to American flags hoisted over two entryways (FMB Fire & Rescue Dept. & Iona Fire District). Following the ceremony, WWII veterans are invited to share their stories and photos.
“We are very proud to have this celebration, our fourth annual, for our WWII heroes-with veterans hosted by veterans. This year’s celebration hopes to be another great tribute to what these WWII veterans did for our freedom and our country and the tremendous sacrifices they endured,” said event coordinator Joe Kosinski. “We hope to keep their legacy going for years to come through continuing ‘Spirit of ’45 Day’ as an educational tool of history.
“Spirit of ’45 Day is a nationally declared day to remind us of the Greatest Generation’s courage, shared sacrifice, and commitment to service so that their example of national unity and community can inspire future generations of Americans, especially our nation’s youth.”
Every community has a story of Aug. 14, 1945 to tell. The surviving members of the Greatest Generation that endured the difficult times of the Great Depression, achieved victory in WWII, and then went on to rebuild the world, are now departing, but the memory of their extraordinary achievements lives on in the family histories of their descendants. The purpose of “Spirit of ’45 Day” is to remind us of the Greatest Generation’s courage, shared sacrifice and commitment to service. Their example of national unity and community can inspire future generations of Americans, especially our nation’s youth. (Visit website: www.spiritof45.org .) Don’t miss this opportunity to help “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!”
“As General MacArthur said, ‘Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.’ We will not let our WWII veterans “fade away” and we will endeavor to keep their memories and their stories passed on and preserved through organizations and movements such as “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!” forever,” said Kosinski. “Participating in this event has always been an honor and we wish to continue to ‘Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive'” Thanks to an outpouring of volunteers, community and media support, we can.”
Donations (tax deductible) to help sponsor this event would be greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to VFW Post 10097, 17770 Pine Ridge Rd., Fort Myers Beach FL 33931; Memo Line: “Spirit of ’45”.
Lee County celebrates at Kelly Greens
National Spirit of ’45 Day will be celebrated at the Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club (12300 Kelly Greens Blvd.) in Fort Myers this Sunday (Aug. 10). Event goers are asked to use the second entrance going toward Sanibel on Summerlin Road.
The event will be held from 4:15 to 7:15 p.m. Dinner will be served from 4:15 to 5:45, while the WWII Veterans Tribute/Ceremony will be from 5:45 7:15.
The agenda for the ceremony includes opening speech/introduction; marching of color guard/Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem is sung; opening prayer; speech on Spirit of ’45; guest speakers (several WWII veterans; various dignitaries); Guns N’ Hoses Pipes N’ Drums performance; POW/MIA service; Hanging of Wreath/wreath service; story of Poppies/Poppy Service (Amazing Grace played by bagpiper); Honor Guard performs 3 volleys; Taps is played across the nation (“Echo Taps”); and a closing speech.
Eryka Aptaker has been the Lee County chairperson for four years and has seen attendance almost double during the course of the last two events. She plans to keep the ‘Spirit’ alive.
“These WWII veterans are so special and have become a part of me. It’s overwhelmingly wonderful to see all the love and support that I have received from people who are equally supportive in saying “thank you” to our greatest generation,” she said. “I am very blessed that the Lee County Spirit of ’45 has been circulated all over the county, and people look forward to attending each year. It’s amazing to me that I am doing this to let our WWII veterans know how grateful I am for all that they have given in service and sacrifice to this great nation, yet they are the ones thanking me.
“I can’t find the words to express how emotional I get when I here the happiness in their voices. It is an honor and privilege for me to be able to do this for them. God Bless them all.”
Aptaker said Sen. Lizbeth Benaquisto will be presenting the State of Florida Resolution, which was obtained last year to give Florida a permanent day. A representative from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office will also present the Congressional Resolution which was obtained in 2010, giving Spirit of ’45 a permanent, national day.
WWII veteran speakers, including two Prisoners of War, will also be of special value.
“I have several WWII veteran speakers who are amazing, one of which had helped to liberate a concentration camp. Another is a retired Colonel and was in WWII all the way through to Vietnam and was on the last chopper out,” she said. “I have two WWII vets who both served on the USS Enterprise at the same time, but never met. I am seating them at the same table so they can meet. That is going to be awesome!!
“These people are all heroes. I have some of them bringing some of their memorabilia to display. Some were, in fact, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipients. I really can’t begin to describe how this year’s event has taken shape. It will be very emotional and beautiful.”
The event is free for WWII veterans and their spouses. For all others, cost will be $20 per person.?
Reservations must be made by Aug. 5.
For more information, contact Eryka at 800-527-5395 (ext. 852).