Nation's Largest Spirit of '45 Event Honors WWII Veterans in San Diego


San Diego hosts unprecedented gathering of nearly 50 WWII veterans as America marks 80th anniversary of war's end

SAN DIEGO — In what organizers confirmed as the nation's largest Spirit of '45 event, nearly 50 World War II veterans and Rosie the Riveters gathered at Balboa Park's Air & Space Museum on Sunday, creating what may be one of the last opportunities to see so many surviving members of the "Greatest Generation" together.

The ceremony, held just days before the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, drew approximately 550 attendees who witnessed living history as veterans shared their stories and received recognition for their service. Among the honorees was 109-year-old Ervin Wendt, listed as California's second-oldest WWII veteran and reportedly the only living survivor of the pivotal Battle of Midway.

A Vanishing Generation

The event's significance extends beyond commemoration, highlighting the urgent need to preserve the stories of America's dwindling WWII veteran population. According to the latest Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, fewer than 66,143 American WWII veterans remain alive as of 2024 — representing less than 0.5% of the original 16.4 million who served.

"You are part of history knowing that we may never ever have this many World War II veterans and Rosie the Riveters in the same room at the same time again," Holly Shaffner, Honor Flight San Diego vice chairman, told the assembled crowd.

The National WWII Museum reports that current projections suggest only about 300 veterans will remain by 2036, with the last survivor expected to pass away in the early 2040s. This accelerating decline has made events like San Diego's Spirit of '45 ceremony increasingly precious.

Remarkable Stories of Service

Among the distinguished veterans was Wendt, who enlisted in 1937 and served as a turret gunner with Torpedo Squadron 8, which suffered catastrophic losses during the Battle of Midway. When asked about his longevity, the 109-year-old Iowa farm boy offered simple advice: "Oatmeal and prunes." His counsel to younger service members was equally direct: "Stay out of trouble."

Master Sergeant John A. Curran, who will turn 110 in November and lives in Palm Desert, is recognized as California's oldest veteran. About 21 veterans at Sunday's event were older than 100.

Guillermo Gonzales, 102, a Marine veteran who later became a firefighter, attributed his long life to faith and military discipline. "Discipline. It was great," said Gonzales, who rose to master sergeant in the Marines and captain in the fire department before teaching at Rio Hondo Fire Academy for 25 years.

Honoring the Home Front Heroes

The ceremony also recognized four "Rosie the Riveters" — women who worked in defense industries during the war. Recipients of replica Congressional Gold Medals included Sergeant Roberta "Randy" Tisdale, Betty Ridenour, Jenny Guerena, and Virginia Wilson.

Guerena, who worked at Rohr Industries in Chula Vista building military aircraft, recalled her motivation: "We just wanted peace, so they wouldn't take our boyfriends." Her reaction to the war's end was immediate: "Oh, happy, happy! I went home and hugged my mother."

National Context and Ongoing Efforts

The Spirit of '45 observance, designated by Congress as a national day of remembrance on the second Sunday in August, commemorates Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) when President Truman announced Japan's unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945.

Across the nation, similar events are taking place as communities race to honor surviving veterans. Lee County, Florida, is hosting a ceremony with 15 WWII veterans, including two centenarians. History San José will present a "Living History Day and Big Band Swing Dance" on August 16.

Honor Flight Mission

The San Diego event was sponsored by Honor Flight San Diego, part of the national Honor Flight Network comprising over 130 independent hubs. The organization transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service, with priority given to the most senior veterans and those with terminal illnesses.

Honor Flight San Diego has expanded its mission from originally serving WWII and Korean War veterans to include Vietnam veterans who served between 1941-1975, reflecting the organization's commitment to honoring all who served during these critical periods.

The organization operates entirely on donations, with each veteran's trip costing approximately $3,000. Their next scheduled flight to Washington, D.C., is planned for late September, focusing on Vietnam and Korean veterans.

Preserving Legacy for Future Generations

As the WWII generation passes into history, organizations like Honor Flight and museums nationwide are intensifying efforts to preserve their stories. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans emphasizes the critical importance of documenting veteran experiences before they're lost forever.

"We have the enormous responsibility to ensure that the memories and experiences of the war will not be lost as those who lived through it leave this world," said Stephen J. Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum.

George Newton, a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam who rose from private first class to colonel, summed up his survival philosophy simply: "Just luck. That's all it was."

As America approaches the 80th anniversary of WWII's end, events like San Diego's Spirit of '45 ceremony serve not only as tributes to veterans' service but as urgent reminders to capture and preserve their stories while we still can.

Sources

  1. Stone, Chris. "WWII veteran, 109, among close to 50 at nation's largest 'Spirit of '45' event, in SD." Times of San Diego, August 11, 2025. https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2025/08/11/nations-largest-spirit-of-45-event-in-san-diego/
  2. CBS8 San Diego. "Spirit of '45 honors San Diego's WWII veterans." CBS8, August 11, 2025. https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/outreach/on-the-homefront/spirit-of-45-san-diegos-wwii-veterans/509-0e215e9c-10df-40b5-9d7a-49c5fa3fb056
  3. NBC 7 San Diego. "Spirit of '45: Honor Flight San Diego marks 80 years since end of World War Two." NBC San Diego, August 10, 2025. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/spirit-of-45-honor-flight-san-diego-marks-80-years-since-end-of-world-war-two/3884665/
  4. The National WWII Museum. "WWII Veteran Statistics." New Orleans, 2025. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/wwii-veteran-statistics
  5. Hart, Bradley W. "Latest VA Projection Reveals Rate of WWII's Fade from Living Memory." The National WWII Museum, January 21, 2025. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/latest-va-projection-reveals-rate-wwiis-fade-living-memory
  6. NSIN. "How Many WW2 Veterans Are Still Alive? Will There Be Any Left in 2030?" February 25, 2025. https://www.nsin.us/how-many-ww2-veterans-are-alive/
  7. Honor Flight San Diego. "About Honor Flight San Diego." March 12, 2025. https://www.honorflightsandiego.org/about/
  8. Honor Flight San Diego. "Please Support Honor Flight San Diego and our 'Epic' year of 2025!" March 12, 2025. https://www.honorflightsandiego.org/support-hfsd/
  9. Fitzpatrick, Alex. "Where America's remaining WWII veterans live." Axios, June 6, 2025. https://www.axios.com/2025/06/06/world-war-ii-veterans-map
  10. WGCU. "Lee County 'Spirit of '45' to honor a vanishing breed: WWII veterans." July 31, 2025. https://www.wgcu.org/culture-and-connections/2025-07-31/lee-county-spirit-of-45-to-honor-a-vanishing-breed-wwii-veterans
  11. 80 years after WWII: Spirit of '45 - YouTube

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