August 15, 2015

Spirit of '45 - Missouri Veterans Home

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Aug. 14, 1945.

World War II veterans received commemorative hats at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Senior girls of Jackson High School sing the national anthem during the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Pearla Smith, volunteer coordinator for Southeast Hospice who helped organize the Spirit of '45 event, speaks Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home. Benchmark Printing, MidAmerica Hotels and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau joined Southeast Hospice to sponsor the event.

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Retired Staff Sgt. John Dragoni talks about his experiences in World War II at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Floyd Smith hands out commemorative hats to World War II veterans at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com A color guard with Jackson American Legion Post 158 advances the colors for the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home. The ceremony commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 14, 1945.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Mike Stafford, 100, right, salutes after Floyd Smith presented him with an American flag during the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home. Stafford presented the flag to the home where he is the oldest resident. The ceremony commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 14, 1945.

Milton Kasten presents a memorial wreath at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Carolyn Pickens, left, and Ron Ruppel pose for a photo during the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Steve Fritzler, left, and Bob Henry pose for a photo during the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Floyd Smith, left, and Milton Kasten pose for a photo during the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Jackson Municipal Band performs at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Scott Vangilder directs the Jackson Municipal Band at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Jackson Municipal Band performs at the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

The POW-MIA chair is draped for the Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Faune Riggin opens the Spirit of '45 ceremony Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home.

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The Spirit of '45 event Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Aug. 14, 1945.

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