WWII vets to be honored on 65th anniversary

Published 9:46 am Friday, August 13, 2010

The echoing notes of “Taps” will play across the nation and in the Alabama National Cemetery Aug. 14 in honor of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The day has been established as National Day of Remembrance in a resolution passed by Congress July 26.

The Alabama National Cemetery Support Committee and Bugles Across America are hosting a ceremony titled “Spirit of ’45 Day” to mark the occasion.

The ceremony will begin at 6:40 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

At 7 p.m. “Taps” will be played to coincide with the nation-wide playing of the song at 7 p.m. in every time zone.

The ceremony will also include the presentation of the colors, singing of the National Anthem, the presentation of several proclamations and congressional statements and a fly over by World War II-era aircraft.

Bob Barefield, chairman of the cemetery support committee, said several World War II veterans and their families will be in attendance, along with other members of the community.

Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony as they honor living World War II veterans and the 400,000 who sacrificed their lives, Barefield said.

“Basically we are asking everyone to take a moment of remembrance at 7 p.m. to thank those of the greatest generation,” he said. “World War II veterans enabled us to have the freedoms that we have today. They set the ground work for what we have today and we have a lot to be thankful for.”