Registration is rapidly filling up for the 3rd annual Spirit of '45 National Leaders Conference in San Diego, February 14 - 17, 2013
If you haven’t already done so, please go to the Conference web site to learn more and to reserve your place in this invitation-only gathering of organizations and individuals who are dedicated to preserving the legacy of America's 'Greatest Generation."
We will be exploring ways to mobilize the Spirit of '45 Day network to assure a successful nationwide commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in August 2015.
Click here for additional details about the 2013 Conference.
San Diego Bob Filner will join Jerry Coleman of the San Diego Padres, and Admiral Mac McLaughlin, President and CEO of the Midway Museum, as our Honorary Co-chairmen for this year's Conference.
Mayor Filner, a 10-term Congressman and former chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, sponsored the original Spirit of '45 Day concurrent resolution that both the US Senate and House unanimously voted their support for in 2010.
Click here to see Bob Filner's Spirit of '45 Day message.
Dr. Roscoe Brown, Jr, the legendary Tuskegee Airman has been invited to join his fellow Spirit of '45 Day national spokesmen for this historic "gathering of eagles" in San Diego.
Click here to see Dr. Brown's Spirit of '45 Day message.
For information about how you or your organization can qualify for an invitation to the Conference, contact Linda Laurie at info@spiritof45.org or call 888-814-1945.
Click here for additional details about the 2013 Conference.
This year’s Conference promises to be an historic occasion as we review the status of Spirit of ’45 Day and begin to lay the foundations for an international commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2015.
Attendees will be sharing ideas for assuring that as many people as possible observe this once-in-history community event during the weekend of August 14 – 15, 2015.
Together, we will be developing strategies for building public awareness and participation, including how to leverage the efforts of the growing network of groups and individuals that have been observing Spirit of ’45 Day since it was officially declared a national annual day of remembrance in 2010.
Here are some of the exciting 70th anniversary commemorative activities that are currently in development:
- A 2-year initiative to collect firsthand memories of August 14, 1945 of people who experienced the excitement of the “Greatest Generation’s Greatest Day” – the day America and the world learned that the most destructive war in history was over. Stories and images of the day Life magazine called the “hinge of history” will be used to produce a feature length documentary film that will premiere throughout America on August 14 in theatres and on the Internet.
- A national kick off celebration in New York’s Times Square on Friday, August 14, featuring hundreds of swing dancers performing in front of a giant Seward Johnson sculpture depicting the famous “kiss seen ‘round the world. Photos of thousands of couples who got together during WWII will be shown on jumbo screens throughout the day.
- A nationally televised 70th Anniversary "Tribute to a Generation" Concert, similar in format to PBS’s Memorial Day featuring entertainment from the ‘40’s performed by some of today’s top musicians. The Concert is tentatively planned for Saturday, August 15, in an as yet to be determined venue.
- A mass gathering of youth volunteers in America’s heartland to form an aerial photo of iconic image of the “Times Square Kiss,” the official symbol of National Spirit of ’45 Day.
- A US-China joint commemoration that reminds the people of both countries how America came to the aid of the Chinese people during WWII, beginning with the legendary Flying Tigers led by General Claire Chennault in 1937.
- A cross country 1,945 wreath laying ceremony to conclude the 70th anniversary commemoration on Sunday, August 17, as hundreds of buglers play “Taps” to honor the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in WWII and the millions of the Greatest Generation who have passed away since the end of the war.
These are just some of the ideas currently under discussion that we will be developing during the Conference.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their suggestions for the 70th anniversary commemoration and ideas for how to build up public awareness and participation at a local, state and national level between now and August 2015.