Lee County Spirit of ’45 seeking WWII vets
An annual event honoring the Greatest Generation is returning in 2022 and looking for veterans to honor and sponsor support.
The Lee County Spirit of ’45 takes place on Aug. 14 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort in Fort Myers, where World War II veterans are to be honored again with a ceremony and dinner.
This year’s date is extra special, as it lands on Aug. 14. In 1945, Aug. 14 was the day President Harry Truman announced the war was over. Spirit of 45 Day is held annually on the second Sunday in August.
Spirit of ’45 Lee County Chair Eryka Aptaker created the local take on this nationwide initiative after a networking event in Naples over a decade ago when she heard someone speak on the Spirit of ’45. She immediately wanted to join forces.
Year after year, the event grew until the COVID-19 pandemic saw the 2020 event cancelled. Last year, the event did occur, but attendance numbers were skewed by the Delta variant.
Aptaker said 2022 might just be the last year for the local Spirit of ’45 due to dwindling numbers of veterans who served more than 75 years ago. In prior years, Aptaker was able to host large celebrations with nearly 100 World War II vets. She wants this year’s event to go out in a big way, if it is the last. Sponsors help make that possible.
“I have a lot in store for the guests this year,” Aptaker said. “I want to make sure we have enough sponsorship.”
She said regardless of the future, she plans on honoring veterans in some way, shape or form, and local veterans and veteran supporters have made it possible to pay homage to the Greatest Generation.
“I’ve received so much support in this from the veteran community and family members,” Aptaker said. “They really are so honored to either participate, or be able to be a sponsor.”
The Spirit of ’45 celebrates the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II and starts at 4:15 p.m. and runs until 7:15. Dinner will be served from 4:15-5:45 p.m., followed by a World War II veteran tribute and ceremony from 5:45-7:15 p.m.
The event is free for World War II veterans and spouses of the same generation only. Tickets are $45 per person for all other attendees.
There are two different sponsorship opportunities — business sponsorships that range from $50 to $1,500, or “Sponsor-A-Vet,” for $45.
The “Sponsor-A-Vet” program will cover the cost of a veteran’s meal. The sponsor’s name, or the name of a veteran, then will be listed in the program.
There were 16 million soldiers in World War II. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, only 270,000 are still with us today, and 234 pass away each day.
“I want to, while they’re still around, while they’re still well enough, I just want to make sure they’re honored and I want them to know how much they are appreciated,” Aptaker said.
Those interested in sponsorship or reservations can call Aptaker at 917-607-4385 or email her at ejanyygirl@comcast.net. The Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort is at 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive in Fort Myers.
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To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com