This year’s theme is “Thank them for what they did,” making Spirit of ’45 Day an opportunity for Baby Boomers and their children to express their appreciation to their parents for their part during and after World War II to assure a better life for their families, their country and the world.  What better time to take Dad and Mom out for a special day together and to say “Thank you!”

Spirit of ’45 Day falls on the second Sunday this year, just as Congress has proposed, some museums and other groups are planning to have a weekend of activities, including having a Swing into Spirit dance on Saturday evening.   But your program can be any size, from a larger public gathering to a more intimate coming together of family and friends for a special time.   Many senior and assisted living communities are planning Spirit of ’45 Day Open Houses, inviting in the public to meet their WWII era residents, offering refreshments and entertainment on their special day.

Last year several communities organized “Class of ’45 Reunions,” bringing together as many members of the Greatest Generation as possible to be part of a group photo that they and their families could cherish as a memento of their first ever “Spirit of ’45 Day.”

Others put together programs that featured live 1940’s style entertainment, with singers, swing dancers and musicians who played the hits of the era that the WWII generation remember so fondly.   Some even incorporated lessons for younger people who wanted to learn how their grandparents made all those great moves on the dance floor.

Another popular feature was to have WWII re-enactors come out for the Day, and to invite people to come dressed in the style of the 1940’s.   Some even had fashion shows and contests for the best impersonator (FDR. General Patton, President Truman, Rosie the Riveter, and other famous personalities from the times).

And of course there were the inevitable re-enactments of the famous  “Times Square Kiss,” as couple relived the iconic moment when Spirit of ’45 Day Founder Edith Shain was kissed by a joyous sailor on the day WWII ended on August 14, 1945, in what became the iconic photo that appeared on the cover of Life magazine.

Perhaps the easiest activity that you can organize is the wreath laying ceremony at the close of the Day that can be part of the cross-country “Taps Across America”component of National Spirit of ’45 Day.   All this requires some youth and members of the Greatest Generation laying a wreath at a local WWII Memorial or other appropriate venue,  as a bugler plays “Taps” in honor of the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in WWII and the millions who have passed away since the end of the war.   It is very moving if the youth read a version of the Spirit of ’45 Day proclamation and say a few words about how they will honor the “ordinary heroes” of the last century through doing what they can during the coming year to make a better America.

These are just a few of the things communities did last year to keep the Spirit of ’45 alive.  Here’s a list that your community might want to consider in planning your  August 14 event this year. (“Some Things You Can Do….”)

Let us know about your event and see what others have planned!