ATLANTA — A graphic at Truist Park on Tuesday night with the message, "Keep the spirit of '45 alive!" briefly caught some attention online, where "45" is sometimes used as a shorthand to refer to former President Donald Trump.
The message displayed at the Atlanta Braves game, however, had nothing to do with politics or the 2024 election. The Spirit of 45 is an organization dedicated to honoring World War II veterans.
It describes itself as "working together to preserve and honor the legacy of the men and women of America's WWII generation so that their values and achievements will continue to inspire future generations - especially the youth of our nation." The Spirit of 45 organization holds events annually to honor WWII veterans.
The Braves have long been involved with the organization -- in just one listing on the team's website archives, they celebrated Spirit of '45 Day in 2013 to honor twin WWII veterans Hilbert and Howard Margol.
They also honored a north Georgia WWII vet in August 2022, the White County News reported, as part of a "Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive" ceremony, celebrating Victory over Japan Day, which falls on August 14.
Congress authorized the observance of National Spirit of '45 Day in 2010, and it falls annually on the second Sunday in August.
The American Association for State and Local History wrote about the day back in 2011: "The idea of a national day to honor the 'ordinary heroes' of the WWII generation originated with Edith Shain, the nurse in the famous photograph taken in Times Square on the day the war ended, who passed away last year at age 92. Ms. Shain was particularly concerned that the youth of America be inspired by the courage, self-sacrifice, commitment to service and ‘can do’ spirit of those who endured the Great Depression, defeated the forces of aggression and then went on to rebuild the postwar world."
The Spirit of 45 organization, whose logo was featured Tuesday night at Truist Park, posted as part of its 2024 observances: "The Covid-19 Pandemic has claimed the lives of thousands of the surviving members of the World War II generation. Please take time to pause and reflect on these men and women who fought to preserve freedom against the forces of facism during the most destructive war in human history, and strove to ensure a better future for their children and their children's children."
