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Madison Rising Invites Young Marines Onstage Every second Sunday in August is a na- tional celebration known as the Spirit of 45. In 2010 a woman named Edith Shane organized a nation-wide move- ment to keep alive the Spirit of 45 cel- ebrating the end of the Second World War in 1945. She wanted to continue that same spirit of we can get things done that existed at the end of World War II. The Travelers Rest Historical Society has brought this movement to the upstate of South Carolina and the Upstate Young Marines have been a part of this celebra- tion for the past three years. Spirit of 45 Upstate has marked the end of World War II every year since 2011 but this year the celebration expanded to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and also the efforts to rebuild that followed. The major goal of this event was to educate young people about the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation This years event was held August 9 2015 at the Younts Conference Center at Furman University in Greenville SC. The event featured exhibits of 1940s memorabilia including one spotlight- ing the role of women in the war and an oral history project. Deceased soldiers from our area were honored with a me- morial wreath and each deceased WWII Veterans name was announced while our Upstate Young Marines carried their photo in a Memory Parade. Spirit of 45 Upstate is co-sponsored by the Travelers Rest Historical Society Honor Flight Upstate SC and American Le- gion Post 3 which operates the War Museum. The Upstate Young Marines are proud to be able to pay trib- ute to the men and women who served in the armed forces and those who kept things going on the home front. We are certainly keeping the spirit alive -- Submitted by Kimberly Gray Registered Adult Upstate SC Spirit of 45 Honoring the Greatest Generation Mecklenburg Assisting at the Purple Heart Dinner By YMRct Alexander Vance Mecklenburg County NC Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen. Last August my unit was honored to be part of the inaugural Purple Heart Dinner held at the Sheraton LaMeridian Hotel in Charlotte NC. We were in the company of more than eighty Purple Heart recipients two former Prisoners of War a Congressional Med- al of Honor recipient and several Gold Star Mothers. For many of these men and women this was the first time they have been honored publicly and possibly the first time their stories from combat were heard by their families. Our unit along with JROTC units from CharlotteMecklen- burg Schools provided the much needed support for the evening no job was unimportant on this night. We are proud to have been a part of this event and we look forward to par- ticipating in the future. al of Honor recipient and several Gold Star Mothers. For many of these men and women this was the first time they have been honored publicly and possibly the first time their stories from combat were heard by their families. Our unit along with JROTC units from CharlotteMecklen burg Schools provided the much needed support for the ESPRIT Page 25 By YMSGT Robert McKenna Flatirons CO Last August my family was in- vited to attend Concerned Vet- erans for Americas Banquet and concert featuring Madison Rising at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space museum in Denver CO. When we arrived we were greeted by those from other units such as Buckley Field Douglas County and Brighton Young Marines. It was good seeing so many Young Marines there to represent the program and enjoy the concert. Madison Rising performed The Nation- al Anthem and the Banquet began. There were many speakers at the event including veterans David Bellava U.S. Army and Jason Redman U.S. Navy. Both served during the Iraq War and demonstrated heroic leadership and courage on the battlefield. I was honored to speak to them afterwards. Before the break the Master of Ceremo- nies asked all veterans to stand up it was very moving to see veterans from all branches ranging from WWII to the current war on terror. During the intermission Dave Bray the lead singer asked to speak to us. He told us how proud he was to be able to partner with the Young Marines who support our veterans and carry out American ideals. He told us to pursue the program and finally to enjoy the concert.When it was time for the concert all of the Young Marines were asked to come up to the stage while Madison Ris- ing performed. They sang The Star Spangled BannerThe Marines HymnFol- som Prison Blues and other songs that we all enjoyed. After the performance we had to say goodbye to our friends in the other units and leave but not before we all got signed CDs and T-shirts from the band. It was truly an awesome experi- ence that none of us will forget.