AWON is a proud Founding National Sponsor of the Spirit of '45.

"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!

Come to our Nation's Capitol on Memorial Day Weekend
to Call on America to Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive!

You and your organization are invited to come to Washington, DC on Memorial Day weekend
to help build public awareness and media visibility for the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive! national campaign.

Join AWON Founder Ann Bennett Mix, National Co-chairs Hugh O'Brian (WWII Marine, Actor, Founder of Hugh O'Brian Youth) and Edith Shain (the Times Square Nurse in the iconic Life magazine photo) for this history making weekend as we begin the countdown to the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14 and lay the foundations for a permanent National Day of Remembrance to forever honor the legacy of service of the men and women of America's "Greatest Generation."

"A National Salute to the Gold Stars of WWII"   
(Friday, May 28 at sundown)

Members of Bugles Across America will kick off "America's most sacred of national holiday weekends" by playing "Taps" in more than 100 cities from the East Coast to Hawaii to pay tribute to the 400,000 who gave their lives during WWII and to honor the sacrifices of their families. This cross country tribute will begin with a twilight ceremony at the National World War II Memorial, featuring remarks by Ann Bennett Mix, founder of the American WWII War Orphans Network and enlarged portraits of more than 200 of the men who made the ultimate sacrifice in service in WWII.

"Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive!" Leadership Symposium 
(Sunday, May 30 from Noon to 3:30 PM)

This highly interactive conference is designed to provide an opportunity for you and your organization to share your ideas for organizing commemorative events and activities in your community and to what is being done to coordinate media, outreach and partner resources at the national level to support your efforts before, during and after August 14.  The conference will be held at the Navy Memorial and feature several special guest speakers.

"Stories of Service of the 'Greatest Generation'"  
(Sunday, May 30 4:00 - 5:00 PM)

A selection of the best short videos that youth have produced for WWII veterans will be screened for the public at the Navy Memorial to help publicize the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive! initiative. These  "digital stories" about the service of the men and women of the WWII era are being shared with schools, libraries, museums, memorials and the public to educate and inspire future generations, please Click Here!

PBS National Memorial Day Concert
(Sunday, May 30 8:00 PM)

Enjoy the annual free public concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol featuring actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists with conductor Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra. (Gates open at 5 p.m. with seating on a first come, first served basis.)

"Spirit of '45 Rally" at the National World War II Memorial 
(Monday, May 31 at 10:00 AM)

Gather at the National World War II Memorial on Memorial Day morning to ask communities throughout America to take part in public events and activities to commemorate the end of WWII on August 14, and help support a permanent national day to reflect on the achievements of the men and women who endured the Great Depression, preserved democracy and freedom, and rebuilt the postwar world.

National Memorial Day Parade 
(Monday, May 31 at 2:00 PM)

Join Hugh, Edith and Ann at the head of America's largest Memorial Day Parade and march down Constitution Avenue, where AWON will lead the way in front of more than 300,000 spectators -- with AWONers in attendance (maybe you?) and youth volunteers carrying enlarged photos of the "Ordinary Heroes" of WWII (our Fathers and Loved Ones) as we urge all America to honor their memory by Keeping the Spirit of '45 Alive!

Note: Saturday has been left open for groups and individuals to schedule their own visits to memorials and other attractions. For a partial list of these please check these two additional links:

Memorial Day 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Monuments & Memorials in Washington, D.C.

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.