Organizers seek WWII 'memory parade' photos for Spirit of '45 event

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – The annual Upstate Spirit of '45 commemoration will be held on Sunday, August 9 at 3 p.m. at Furman University's Younts Center, and organizers are searching for photos of area veterans to be included in the event's “memory parade.”

(Read more: Spirit of '45 celebration expands for 70th anniversary of end of WWII)

Now in its fifth year, the commemoration aims to honor veterans of World War II and to celebrate the accomplishments of our “greatest generation," including those that fought and the ordinary heroes who worked at home to aid the war effort.

As part of the celebration, enlarged photos of deceased WWII veterans are paraded into the sanctuary to serve as a fitting backdrop for the event. Families can submit a 5” x 7” or larger photo of their veteran in uniform to the Spirit of '45 committee for inclusion.

If you are interested in submitting a photo, call 864-610-9043 before June 25 for complete details. The cost for the enlargement is $39.

In 2014, thirty living World War II veterans were honored and over 400 people attended the Upstate Spirit of '45 celebration, which was the winner of the America Association for State and Local History’s 2013 Award of Merit and was named as the model Spirit of '45 celebration for the State of South Carolina.

Again this year, members of the American Legion and several other military-related organizations will contribute to the event, providing a Color Guard, bagpiper and bugler as well as displays of World War II vehicles and memorabilia. The keynote speaker will be WYFFs Michael Cogdill.

All of the Upstate Spirit of '45 events are organized by the Travelers Rest Historical Society. To learn more, visit their website here.

Find the Upstate Spirit of '45 on Facebook here.