FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Veterans and their family members gathered Sunday morning (August 16) at the Fort Smith National Cemetery to commemorate Spirit of ’45 Day and the 70th anniversary since WWII ended.
“It’s a special day and there are going to be ceremonies from the Arlington National Cemetery all the way across the United States and even over in Europe,” Edward Nagy, Retired U.S. Army Major said.
More than half-a-dozen veterans who served in WWII were in attendance, including 97-year-old James David Galloway. He wore a Navy cap for the occasion.
“I’m proud of it in a way,” Galloway said. “I’m proud I made it over there and back. I had two brothers in the Navy, and they made it over there and back too.”
Nagy gave the commemorative speech.
“This is to honor them,” he said. “Then it’s also to honor not those that fought in WWII, but the greatest generation because most of them endured the Great Depression.They wound up fighting and winning WWII. They didn’t come home until the job was done, and then when they got home, they built the greatest nation on earth.”
The service also included a ceremonial wreath lay, a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
