By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The public is invited to the sixth annual “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Alabama National Cemetery on Highway 119, Montevallo, Ala.

Spirit of ’45 is a nationwide tribute to remember the “Greatest Generation,” those men and women who served and fought in World War II, the most widespread and deadliest war in history.

From 1939-1945, over 100,000 million lives in 30 countries were directly affected, approximately 11 million people were murdered in the Holocaust, and between 50-85 million were killed in the six-year world war.

The war ended on Armistice V-J Day, Aug. 14, 1945.

For the last six years Bob Barefield, chairman of the Support Committee of the Alabama National Cemetery, and Gene Ramsey, Alabama director of Bugles Across America, have sponsored the patriotic event at the cemetery along with coinciding programs nationwide to honor WWII veterans.

Across the country in every time zone, TAPS are played at 7 p.m. with the last played at Pearl Harbor.

The day will begin with an Honor Flight Birmingham Reunion chaired by Honor Flight Co-Director Pam Nichols at the Ballroom/Constitution Hall at American Village from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Highway 119 in Montevallo.

All past Honor Flight Birmingham veterans, guardians and volunteers and donors are invited for a light supper.

The Daughters of the American Revolution will help serve.

Spirit of ‘45 will begin with a flyover of vintage aircraft at 6:30 p.m.

Nichols will be master of ceremonies; WWII WAVE Frances Phelps will lead the invocation followed by the Iwo Jim re-enactment by the Howlin’ Mad Detachment, Marine Corps League.

The program includes: National Anthem sung by Robert Robinson, Jr.; Pledge of Allegiance led by WWII Battle of Bulge veteran William E. Burrus; wreaths laid by WWII Pacific Theater veterans Nathan Smith and George Hamilton; patriotic music sung by Homeland; Gov. Robert Bentley’s proclamation read by Pelham Mayor Gary Walters; Edith Shain portrayed by Gold Star Wife Rachel Clinkscale; Amazing Grace played by bagpiper Jeff Jones; rifle salute by ALNG Military Funeral Honors; and TAPS at 7 p.m. played by Gene Ramsay and Jim Quakenbush, Bugles Across America, concluding the program.