Spirit of ‘45 co-organizer thanks public
To the editor:
People everywhere celebrated “America’s Greatest Day” on August 14, 1945. On August 14, 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a proclamation and crowds gathered around a 25-foot statue of the famous Times Square Kiss to officially kick off the first National Spirit of ’45 Day. This year, Fort Myers Beach officially kicked off our first National Spirit of ’45 Day on August 14, 2011.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the Spirit of ’45 Day event at Crescent Beach Family Park on August 14th a successful tribute to our WWII heroes.
We started contacting people and veterans organizations in mid-June. When we told them about the significance of this event and asked for their help and participation, they were all excited and eager to help with this community-wide tribute. Keeping the memory of our WWII heroes alive and honoring their courage and sacrifice is something we all must do.
When the event concluded, many WWII veterans for honoring them in this fashion thanked me. But it was not I-it was the community who turned out to participate, take an active role and make it all happen for our WWII heroes.
Special thanks go to Pincher’s Crab Shack who provided WWII veterans with a delicious dinner and Al Durrett (Santini Plaza) for sponsoring 150 chairs. Special thanks certainly go to the local veterans organizations supporting and participating in the inaugural of “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive”: VFW Post 38 Fort Myers; VFW Post 8463 Cape Coral; VFW Post 4254, American Legion Post 303 and AmVets of Bonita Springs.
There were many other participants and supporters I need to thank: Mayor Larry Kiker the MC; Council Member Jo List presenting the Spirit of ’45 Proclamation; Council Members Alan Mandel and Bob Raymond for their support; Town Manager Terry Stewart for a great rendition of The Star Spangled Banner; Chaplain Allen Brown; Vicki Little, Lee County Parks and Recreation and Paul with his staff; and Cathie Lewis Public Works; Fort Myers Beach Fire and Rescue; Mike Scott and Lee County Sheriff’s Dept.; Color Guard and helicopter pilots (who were unable to provide the fly-over due to weather at their take-off point); LeeTran; Boy Scout Troop 999 Fort Myers Beach and Top ‘o Mast.
Thanks also to American Red Cross Fort Myers, Costco, AmTrust Bank Naples Branch and SuEllen’s Floral Co. Cape Coral. Last (but never least), I thank my wife, Vernie, and fellow coordinators, Bob and Casey Enger, and Eryka Aptaker for first making me aware of the “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” organization. Thank you, everyone!
If you, or someone you know, have WWII photos and/or stories to relate, the Spirit of ’45’s website is collecting them for us and for future generations. Visit www.spiritof45.org so that we never forget!
Joe Kosinski
Town Council, Fort Myers Beach
And Spirit of ’45