Each year, on the second Sunday in August, communities across America observe National Spirit of ’45 Day — a time to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the men and women who came together to win World War II and then built the peace that followed. The observance was established by Congress in 2010 to ensure that the “can-do” spirit of the World War II generation — both those who served in uniform and those on the home front — is remembered and passed on to future generations.
For the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, this day resonates deeply. The Trail’s twelve museums and historic sites collectively tell the story of how Georgians contributed to victory in World War II — from shipyards and aircraft plants to training bases, military installations, and home front communities. National Spirit of ’45 Day gives us an opportunity to reflect not just on the events of the war, but on the enduring values that defined the Greatest Generation: unity, perseverance, service above self, and a belief in a brighter future.
A Nation United
National Spirit of ’45 Day is intentionally placed near the anniversary of August 14, 1945 — the day President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered, ending World War II. Across the country, that day was marked by spontaneous celebrations: church bells rang, factory whistles blew, and people flooded city streets in joy and relief. Photographs from that day, like the iconic Times Square “V-J Day Kiss,” capture the raw emotion of the moment.
But the Spirit of ’45 is about more than a single day of victory. It reflects the years of shared sacrifice and hard work that made that victory possible. In Georgia, that spirit was evident in countless ways:
- Savannah’s shipyards turned out Liberty ships that kept supply lines open across the Atlantic.
- Macon’s Warner Robins Army Air Depot repaired and maintained aircraft that kept our forces flying.
- Naval blimp bases along the coast hunted enemy submarines threatening shipping lanes.
- Training fields across the state prepared pilots, infantry, and other military specialists for service overseas.
- Rosie the Riveter figures in aircraft plants, textile mills, and manufacturing facilities proved that the home front was every bit as vital as the battlefront.
The Spirit of ’45 also recognizes the unity that existed despite differences. In the 1940s, Americans came from different walks of life, political backgrounds, and regions, yet the war effort brought them together in a shared mission. That unity is something worth remembering — and emulating — today.
Georgia’s Role in the War Effort
The Georgia World War II Heritage Trail connects twelve museums and historic sites that preserve and interpret Georgia’s unique contributions to the war effort. Each location highlights a different aspect of the state’s wartime story:
- National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force (Pooler) – Honoring the Eighth Air Force, which was headquartered in Savannah before deploying to England to carry out strategic bombing campaigns over Europe.
- St. Marys Submarine Museum (St. Marys) – Showcasing the service of submariners, including those stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
- World War II Flight Training Museum (Douglas) – Preserving one of the few surviving civilian pilot training facilities from the war era.
- World War II Home Front Museum (St. Simons Island) – Telling the story of the coastal defense and the impact of the war on local communities.
- Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame (Warner Robins) – Celebrating Georgia’s aviation heritage and its many wartime contributions.
- Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins) – One of the largest aviation museums in the United States, located at Robins Air Force Base.
- National Infantry Museum (Columbus) – Honoring the U.S. Army Infantry and its pivotal role in securing victory.
- Andersonville National Historic Site / National Prisoner of War Museum – Sharing the experiences of American POWs across multiple conflicts, including WWII.
- Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia Museum (Peachtree City) – Restoring and flying WWII aircraft to keep history alive in the air.
- Camp Toccoa at Curaehee and Currahee Military Museum (Toccoa) – Chronicling the training of the famous paratroopers of “Band of Brothers” fame.
- Thomaston Goes to War (Upson Historical Society) – Highlighting how a small Georgia town mobilized for war.
Together, these sites form a living classroom for understanding how a single state played an outsized role in a global conflict.
Lessons for Today
The Spirit of ’45 isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a call to action. The qualities that defined the WWII generation are as relevant now as they were eight decades ago:
- Service above self – Millions of Americans volunteered for military service, civil defense, and community projects. Today, we can honor them by finding ways to serve in our own communities.
- Resilience in adversity – Wartime rationing, loss, and uncertainty were part of daily life, yet people adapted and endured. That same resilience is vital when facing modern challenges.
- Unity of purpose – Political and personal differences were set aside for the greater good. In a divided world, the WWII generation’s unity offers a model for working together.
- Innovation and hard work – Advances in technology, medicine, and manufacturing during the war laid the groundwork for decades of prosperity. We can continue that legacy through creativity and determination.
These lessons are not abstract — they are embodied in the lives of the men and women whose stories are preserved along the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail.
How to Commemorate National Spirit of ’45 Day in Georgia
Whether you live near one of the Trail sites or are just learning about Georgia’s WWII heritage, there are many ways to participate in the Spirit of ’45 observance:
- Visit a Heritage Trail site – Explore exhibits, meet veterans, and experience history firsthand. Many sites host special programs in August.
- Share your family’s WWII stories – Oral histories, photographs, and artifacts help preserve the personal side of the war effort. Consider donating them to a local museum.
- Participate in a wreath-laying or memorial event – Honor those who served and sacrificed.
- Engage the next generation – Bring children or grandchildren to a museum, or share age-appropriate stories about the war years.
- Volunteer – Museums, veterans’ organizations, and community groups all welcome help in keeping history alive.
Preserving the Spirit for Future Generations
Time is a relentless force. Every day, the number of living World War II veterans — now in their late 90s or older — becomes smaller. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than 1% of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive today.
The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail is committed to ensuring that the stories of those who fought, worked, and waited on the home front are not lost. Through collaborative programs, educational outreach, and immersive experiences, the Trail keeps the Spirit of ’45 alive for generations who never experienced the war years firsthand.
By walking in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation — whether on the decks of a restored aircraft, in the barracks of a training camp, or beside the memorials that bear their names — we gain a deeper appreciation for what they achieved and what they stood for.
A Lasting Legacy
National Spirit of ’45 Day is more than a remembrance — it’s a renewal of a promise. It asks each of us to carry forward the values of the WWII generation in our own time and place.
As we honor them, we also affirm our responsibility to preserve their legacy. The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail invites you to join us in that mission: to learn, to remember, and to live in a way that reflects the best of the Spirit of ’45.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to a favorite museum, may you find inspiration in the courage, sacrifice, and unity of the generation that met the greatest challenge of the 20th century — and emerged victorious.