In what has now become an annual tradition at the Museum, Honor Flight San Diego, in partnership with the San Diego Air & Space Museum, hosted the “Spirit of `45 – A Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII” in the iconic Pavilion of Flight on Sunday August 9.

The San Diego “Spirit of ’45” event was the largest gathering of WWII Veterans in the nation - with more than WWII veterans aged 98 to 106 years young, plus three Rosie the Riveters!

Each year, the official end of World War II is a nationally recognized event that is held the second Sunday of August. It is known as VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, when President Truman officially announced the war had ended 81 years ago.

The event was open to all local WWII Veterans and Rosie the Riveters, as well as Honor Flight San Diego Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans and their guests and the media. The program included remarks from Holly Shaffner of Honor Flight San Diego Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. There were also performances by the “Sweethearts of Swing” a 1940s era musical trio, a trumpeter, an Old Glory presentation, and a video of WWII veterans sharing where they were when they heard their war was over on August 14, 1945. Medal and Rosie the Riveters receiving their Congressional Gold Medal that was awarded in 2024.

In addition to celebrating the 81st Anniversary of the End of WWII, the event also was a reunion for Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans who have been on their Honor Flight from San Diego. A capacity crowd of 550 people attended this heartfelt tribute to our heroes and their families.