Spirit of ’45 Day recognizes contributions of area veterans

New Hospice of Mercy program will offer end-of-life bedside support for veterans

The public is invited to attend a first-of-its-kind event on Sun., Aug. 11, recognizing the many contributions of veterans and the Americans who have supported them. A local Spirit of '45 Day will take place at Mercy Medical Center’s Hallagan Education Center from 1:45 to 3:30 p.m. 

Speakers at the event will reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans between 1941 and 1945, providing insight into the hearts and minds of the men, women and children who worked with courage, shared sacrifice and commitment to move our country forward after the devastation of World War II. Event organizers hope it will instill in future generations the spirit that defined those who served our country.

Mayor Ron Corbett is scheduled to speak, declaring August 11 as "Spirit of '45 Day" in Cedar Rapids. 

The event is free and the general public is invited to come and hear the true stories of heroism that uniquely define our community. Hospice of Mercy will also announce the kick-off of a new community program, in partnership with local veterans and veterans’ organizations, to provide bedside support and friendship to veterans who might otherwise be alone as they face the end of life. Veterans and others in attendance at the event will be given information on how to apply for volunteer opportunities as part of this new Veteran-to-Veteran hospice program. 

A social time will take place one-half hour before the Spirit of ’45 Day event, and again for an hour after the event. Veterans of all wartime and peacetime periods since World War II, and Eastern Iowa Honor Flight veterans who have been to Washington, D.C., are invited to come at those times and reminisce.

About Spirit of ’45 Day

In August 2010, Congress unanimously voted in favor of a national “Spirit of ’45 Day” honoring the legacy of the men and women who were the “ordinary heroes” of the World War II generation. “Spirit of ’45 Day” is now being observed in hundreds of communities throughout America on the second Sunday in August, aligning with the anniversary of August 14, 1945 - the day President Harry S. Truman announced that World War II was over. Every town and city has a story of August 14, 1945, to tell.