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WWII veterans honored on Fort Myers Beach

Kevin Watts, left, 16, of Cape Coral and 'Fire Explorer' with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, shakes hands with Joe DiGregorio, center, of Cape Coral and WWII veteran, following the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff

Photo by TRISTAN SPINSKI

Kevin Watts, left, 16, of Cape Coral and "Fire Explorer" with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, shakes hands with Joe DiGregorio, center, of Cape Coral and WWII veteran, following the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner "on the house" from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff

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  • Jim Dunphy, left, of Naples, Service Officer of VFW Post 4254 in Bonita Springs, and Scott Cline, of Bonita Springs, Commander of VFW Post 4245, prepare for the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. Dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Fame Academia, of Cape Coral stands in formation before the 21-gun salute during the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. Academia served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1974 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Kevin Watts, left, 16, of Cape Coral and 'Fire Explorer' with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, shakes hands with Joe DiGregorio, center, of Cape Coral and WWII veteran, following the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Steve Sersha, center, of Cape Coral, stands in formation before the 21-gun salute during the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. Sersha served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific in 1945 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Scenes from the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Scenes from the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Scenes from the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Scenes from the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Scenes from the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening. DiGregorio served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947 and joined dozens of veterans, Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • A rousing National Anthem was delivered by Fort Myers Beach City ManagerTerry Stewart. Photo by darryl A. Wells
  • Lee County Sherrifs Office posting the colors. Photo by darryl A. Wells
  • Ceremony prayer was delivered in honor of those who served and are and will continue to on behalf of America. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • The City of Fort Myers Beach proclamation honoring the second Sunday in the month of August as Spirit of 45 Keep it Alive Day, is presented by event coordinator Eryka Aptaker. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • Laying of the wreath and closing remarks were given by Joe Kosinski of the American Legion. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • A US Coast Guard boat lays to rest the 'wreaths across America' donated wreath as part of the ceremony, followed by 21 gun salute to fallen. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • Awaiting the ride to the spirit of 45 ceremony held at Fort Myers Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Orourke reflect on his duty serving as a manine on April 1st at th invasion of Okanawa in 1945. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • Elder war vets and their wives finish up with the dinner held at Pinchers Crab Shack before attending the Celebration ceremony. Photo by darryl A. Wells
  • Appreciative and anxious members of the team helping with the celebration finish up their dinners and head for the beach. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • This celebration team member helps unfurl the flag in the warm breezes of the afternoon Ceremony. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • VFW and American legion posts made a grand showing at the ceremony which many attended. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • The WW II era vets recounted many tales of those days gone by when duty and service meant everything. Photo by Darryl A. Wels
  • It was a good day to still see some ol friends in attendance in honor of a war and causes not forgotten. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • In honor of the WW II Vets, many vietnam and modern conflict vets were in attendance at the celebration. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • Fort myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker served as Master of ceremonies for the event. Photo by Darryl A. Wells
  • Mayor Kiker commented that WW II vets are lost at a rate of one thousand per day, making this celebration a timely and deserved honor his city will embrace. Phot by Darryl A. Wells
  • The Lee County Sheriffs office presented the colors for the celebration ceremony. Photo by Darryl A. Wells

Dozens of veterans joined Fort Myers Beach city and fire department officials, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies, representatives from the American Red Cross, VFW and American Legion Posts throughout Lee County, and members of the public gathered at Crescent Beach Park on Sunday evening for the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive ceremony at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the men and women who served in WWII. In addition to the beach ceremony, WWII veterans enjoyed dinner 'on the house' from Pinchers Crab Shack on Fort Myers Beach.

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