Highlights include special activities and appearances to honor The Greatest Generation’s Greatest Day
Today, the Frontiers of Flight Museum announced that it will host a series of public events to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of “The Greatest Generation’s” Greatest Day - August 14, 1945 - the day World War II ended. The events, which will attract guests of all ages, will be held at the Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave., on Aug. 15-16. The Museum’s event is locally sponsored by the Daughters of World War II, UPS and the Perot Foundation. Visit www.flightmuseum.com.
“Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, it’s perhaps the last opportunity for communities around the country and across North Texas to come together to say thank you to the men and women of our greatest generation," said Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum. “We’re delighted to invite the public join us at our upcoming events. Their participation helps ensure that the veterans’ example of courage, shared sacrifice, can do attitude, service to others, and national unity will continue to inspire future generations.”
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is proud to be a participating member of “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive,” a grassroots coalition of organizations and individuals that are working together to build public awareness and participation in marking the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of the war and preserving the legacy of our WWII generation.
Although the national “Keep the Spirit of ’45 event will take place in New York’s Time Square, the Frontiers of Flight Museum—as host of the official “Spirit of 45“ Event in the Southwest—will bring the festivities to North Texas by hosting many of the same events locally on Aug. 15-16.
The Museum has developed a series of fun, educational and interactive events for the whole family to help commemorate this special anniversary.
One of the program highlights is sure to be the “Rosie the Riveter Rally” set for Aug. 15. During the event, the Frontiers of Flight Museum will attempt a Guinness World Record by having the most dressed-up “Rosie” look-alikes assembled in one location. The effort is part of the Museum’s participation in “Rosies Rally ‘Round the Troops,” which is a national project as an official rally site that pays tribute to the work the Rosies did to help win the war.
Another interactive event during the celebration will be the Kiss Off! which will allow Museum guests to strike a pose to replicate the famous V-J Day photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt in Times Square. The famous photograph summed up the national mood in 1945 because it combined all the right elements: the returning soldier, the woman who welcomed him back and Times Square the crossroads that symbolized home. Visitors can strike their own version of the pose and share it at #frontiersofflightmuseum.
During the festivities, the Frontiers of Flight Museum will invite attendees to participate in the Pictorial WWII Wall of Honor. Visitors are encouraged to bring a copy of a photo of their own personal WWII hero, which may be a family member or friend. Following the event, the Museum will create a WWII pictorial archive for the North Texas community.
Additional activities and attractions during the Spirit of ’45 celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum include:
Saturday, August 15
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Liberty Jump Team display—The Liberty Jump Team honors WWII heroes and veterans of other wars and foreign conflicts by participating in static-line parachute operations.
- Living History Actors “General “Jimmy” Doolittle” and “Rosie the Riveter” will entertain guests with engaging stories about heroic missions and cultural icons.
- Singer Norma Valles will give a performance of WWII period and patriotic music from 3 to 5 p.m. She also supports the troops through her involvement with the USO and Dear American Hero.
- Atomic Bomb Development, the Kassel Mission and Iwo Jima Presentations by various historians and authors will captivate guests with compelling stories of World War II.
- Numerous Kids’ Activities will include spelling your name with Navy signal flags, writing a letter to a service member, and “Rosie the Riveter” coloring pages.
Sunday, August 16
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Daughters of WWII Presents Spirit of ’45 Sunday
The 70th Anniversary Commemorative Weekend will conclude with a wreath laying ceremony emceed by KTVT-TV CBS Anchor Doug Dunbar. The featured guest speaker will be Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams. He is a retired U.S. Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Williams is also the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from that battle.
For more information on the Spirit of ’45 events at the Frontiers of Flight Museum visit: www.flightmuseum.com or call (214) 350-3600.
About the Frontiers of Flight Museum
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown on Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane. Housed in a modern 100,000- square-foot facility, the Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation, as mankind continues to pursue going higher, faster and farther. Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors (65+) $8; Youths/Students (3-17) $7 and children under 3 are free. For more information, visit www.flightmuseum.com.