AWON is a proud Founding National Sponsor of the Spirit of '45.
"Death comes for us all, even for kings does he come..."
And for queens...
The world learned today that Edith Shain, our national spokeswoman for the "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" initiative, passed away at her home on Sunday evening (June 20, 2010).
We join her family in grieving for the loss of this extraordinary woman who was so much a part of the lives of so many people.
Edith often said that she became an "accidental celebrity" when she was photographed by Alfred Eisenstadt as she was being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on the day World War II ended on August 14, 1945, a photo that appeared on the cover of Life magazine and quickly became an iconic image recognized around the world.
As many of you know, for the past 3 years, Edith devoted herself to creating a permanent national day of remembrance to honor the ordinary men and women of her generation who endured the Great Depression, saved Western Civilization, and went on to rebuild the postwar world.
It was her hope that the example of the WWII generation's courage, self sacrifice, national unity and commitment to service to their country and their community would be carried forward in such a way as to be a source of inspiration to future generations, especially at a time when is again facing historic challenges. She was especially concerned that the youth of America be engaged in preserving this legacy of service to others and coming together as a community to face adversity.
Here, in her own words, and in her own inimitable style, are some video clips of Edith talking about her project:
NBC Interview with Edith Shain:
Edith's Clip 1Edith's Stories of Service 1
Edith's Clip 2Edith's Stories of Service2
Edith's Clip 3You can help make Edith's vision a reality by contacting your member of Congress immediately and asking them to honor the men and women of the WWII generation in their constituencies, by signing on as co-sponsors of House Concurrent Resolutio226 before the July 4th weekend when many of them will be back in their Districts.
You can contact your Congressman/woman by visiting the Spirit of '45 web site:
Edith's family has created a web site where people are encouraged to post their memories and reflections about this remarkable woman, who's lively spirit, compassion, intelligence and concern for others, especially her fellow members of the Greatest Generation, will continue to inform and inspire us all...
And when the 10,000 bugler play "Taps" across the country on the evening of August 14, they will be playing not only for the 400,000 who gave their lives in WWII, but to all of the members of the Greatest Generation who have since passed on into history... a tribute to them, and a special tribute to Edith.
Thank you all for helping to keep the Spirit of '45 -- and Edith -- alive!
Warren --
Warren Hegg
National Supervisor
Spirit of '45 Project (<http://www.Spiritof45.org/>www.Spiritof45.org)
Stories of Service (<http://www.Stories-of-Service.org/>www.Stories-of-Service.org)
Stories of the Fallen Project (<http://www.StoriesoftheFallen.org/>www.StoriesoftheFallen.org)
"Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" – a year-long national campaign
leading to the celebration on August 14, 2010 of the end of World War II!
To go back to the main "Spirit" Page: Click Here!
If you've been involved (or plan to be involved) in any aspect of the Spirit of '45 in your area,
please contact Judy Hoffman for staging additions to our "Spirit" coverage: Click Here.
"Death comes for us all, even for kings does he come..."
And for queens...
The world learned today that Edith Shain, our national spokeswoman for the "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" initiative, passed away at her home on Sunday evening (June 20, 2010).
We join her family in grieving for the loss of this extraordinary woman who was so much a part of the lives of so many people.
Edith often said that she became an "accidental celebrity" when she was photographed by Alfred Eisenstadt as being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on the day World War II ended on August 14, 1945, a photo that appeared on the cover of Life magazine and quickly became an iconic image recognized around the world.
As many of you know, for the past 3 years, Edith devoted herself to creating a permanent national day of remembrance to honor the ordinary men and women of her generation who endured the Great Depression, saved Western Civilization, and went on to rebuild the postwar world.
It was her hope that the example of the WWII generation's courage, self sacrifice, national unity and commitment to service to their country and their community would be carried forward in such a way as to be a source of inspiration to future generations, especially at a time when is again facing historic challenges. She was especially concerned that the youth of America be engaged in preserving this legacy of service to others and coming together as a community to face adversity.
Here, in her own words, and in her own inimitable style, are some video clips of Edith talking about her project:
NBC Interview with Edith Shain:
Edith's Clip 1Edith's Stories of Service 1
Edith's Clip 2Edith's Stories of Service2
Edith's Clip 3You can help make Edith's vision a reality by contacting your member of Congress immediately and asking them to honor the men and women of the WWII generation in their constituencies, by signing on as co-sponsors of House Concurrent Resolutio226 before the July 4th weekend when many of them will be back in their Districts.
You can contact your Congressman/woman by visiting the Spirit of '45 web site:
Edith's family has created a web site where people are encouraged to post their memories and reflections about this remarkable woman, who's lively spirit, compassion, intelligence and concern for others, especially her fellow members of the Greatest Generation, will continue to inform and inspire us all...
And when the 10,000 bugler play "Taps" across the country on the evening of August 14, they will be playing not only for the 400,000 who gave their lives in WWII, but to all of the members of the Greatest Generation who have since passed on into history... a tribute to them, and a special tribute to Edith.
Thank you all for helping to keep the Spirit of '45 -- and Edith -- alive!
Warren --
Warren Hegg
National Supervisor
Spirit of '45 Project (<http://www.Spiritof45.org/>www.Spiritof45.org)
Stories of Service (<http://www.Stories-of-Service.org/>www.Stories-of-Service.org)
Stories of the Fallen Project (<http://www.StoriesoftheFallen.org/>www.StoriesoftheFallen.org)
"Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" – a year-long national campaign
leading to the celebration on August 14, 2010 of the end of World War II!
To go back to the main "Spirit" Page: Click Here!
If you've been involved (or plan to be involved) in any aspect of the Spirit of '45 in your area,
please contact Judy Hoffman for staging additions to our "Spirit" coverage: Click Here.