ABOVE: During “Spirit of 45” ceremony, American Legion Post 210 presents Rifle Salute at Danville National Cemetery.
On Thursday, August 14th; the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end when President Truman announced Imperial Japan had surrendered; American Legion Post 210 led the way at the afternoon “Spirit of 45” ceremony at Danville National Cemetery. Post 210 handled the Presentation of Colors, the Rifle Salute, and the playing of Taps. The featured speaker was State Representative and United States Marine Corps Veteran Brandun Schweizer.
AUDIO: Especially anytime that we get a chance to honor our Veterans, I think we need to take advantage of that. And for it being 80 years, since the surrender of Japan, I think that’s something that we definitely need to be pushing out a lot more, of how long it’s been; so we can continue to honor that Greatest Generation of individuals who served. And not only that, but also the 400,000 that we lost over there.
State Rep Brandun Schweizer speaks and Post 210’s Jerry Arnholt presents the wreath prior to playing of Taps.
Schweizer says this 80th anniversary of the end of The Greatest Generation’s war is a great time to come out and pay tribute to all those in Danville National Cemetery who served our country.
AUDIO: Walk around the gravesites; and they can be reminded that the freedoms that we get to enjoy aren’t something that were just given to us. It was fought for by the men and women who are buried in this cemetery.
Representative Schweizer stated during his speech that 2,764 World War II Veterans are buried at Danville National Cemetery; 2736 male, and 28 female.
