Barrancas National Cemetery commemorates the end of WWII

The veterans were among a crowd of about 100 people that sat on the grounds of the Springfield National Cemetery on South Glenstone Avenue for the annual “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” ceremony.

Several veterans also told their stories about the war and a student sang the nation’s National Anthem.

The U.S. officially commemorates the surrender of Japan on September 2, the day Japanese officials signed formal documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

“We felt the need that we wanted to be here to honor not only my dad, but all the soldiers that are here”, she said.

Burt, 90, served three years in the Army, and said that if he has any regret, it’s just one thing.

“Every time we hear taps we both cry”, Beverly Eads said. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August. 15, 1942, at the age of only 12.

“They fought that war on multiple fronts, beat down tyranny, won that war and then came home and laid the foundation for the better world we all live in now, and I can’t thank them enough”.

One of the veterans was Lawrence Burleigh, 102, of Corinna, who attended Saturday’s event with his wife of 73 years, Dorothy.

Members of the Patriot Guard stood around the edge of the pavilion as guests and veterans took their seats.

“When the war there stopped, they put me on a boat and sent me to the other place”, Burleigh said, referring to the Pacific where the fighting raged on with Japan. You can see that gratitude here by so many that have served in the military.

In the National Cemetery, 5,600 WWII vets are buried.

Jenkins hopes that the first “Spirit of 45” ceremony will just be “the start”.

“America still depends on the men and women of the armed forces to defend our freedoms and our way of life”, she said.