WWII veterans and re-enactors ride on Spirit of '45 70th Anniversary Commemoration float in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. The float features a life sized sculpture depicting the famous "Times Square Kiss" of August 14, 1945, by acclaimed artist Seward Johnson - the symbol of Spirit of '45 Day. The float was provided by U-Haul International which was founded by a WWII veteran in 1945, and has been a supporter of Spirit of '45 since 2009. Right, a young volunteer carried the photo of Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson's great uncle, 2nd Lt. Phil Schlamberg, a fighter pilot who was the last man to die in combat in WWII on August 14, 1945.

Spirit of '45 Memorial Day

"March of Heroes"

Honors the Fallen of WWII

Each year on Memorial Day, hundreds of youth volunteers come to the nation's capitol to march in the National Memorial Day Parade carrying poster sized photos of the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the cause of freedom and democracy during World War II.

The Spirit of '45 Memorial Day "March of Heroes" has been a fixture of the Parade since 2006, and complements "Marches" that are now taking place across the country on Veterans Day.

In 2020, Spirit of '45 will be commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII.

Recent Memorial Day Marches

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Photos of Tuskegee Airmen who were killed defending freedom and democracy in WWII are carried each year in the National Memorial Day Parade.

For details and to sign up, contact Madeleline LeBeau

iWitnessed.iRemember@gmail.com

Thanks to U-Haul International for sponsoring the Spirit of '45 Memorial Day float each year, to Dignity Memorial for providing wreaths for placement at the Wall of Gold Stars at the National WWII Memorial, and to Walgreens for donating poster photos of those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Capt.Jerry Yellin marches down Constitution Avenue with youth volunteer carrying photo of his wingman Phil Schlamberg, who was KIA on the day the two of them flew the final combat mission of WWII on August 14, 1945. Yellin was the Honorary Grand Marshal of the National Memorial Day Parade in 2014 and 2014, and makes numerous public appearances and speeches on behalf of Spirit of '45 Day throughout the year.

At the end of the Parade route, youth continue marching on 17th Street to the National World War II Memorial where they place red, white and blue flowers in a wreath in front of the Wall of Gold Stars that represents the more than 400,000 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war.

After they finish marching in the National Memorial Day Parade, youth place flowers in wreath in front of the Wall of Gold Stars at the World War II Memorial. Wreath and flowers provided by Dignity Memorial (Murphy Funeral Home).