Valley vets welcome a national day to honor them and those who keep the home fires burning. They remember just like everyone living in America during WWII, the day that war ended. But it is an enduring image, a photograph that ties them to that time and place.
It was taken on August 14th, 1945. The kiss in Times Square. That photo has come to define the day World War Two was finally over.
Six and a half decades later the United State Congress took the first step this week toward a national day to honor that anniversary on the second Sunday of every August.
We paid a visit a visit to Fresno's Legion of Valor Museum where its director, Art Hill, a veteran of World War Two told us, "It's long overdue, really." His combat engineer's unit was among those who secured Omaha beach in June of 1944.
Veterans and volunteers bring military history and their service to life for visitors to this place that holds the stories, memorabilia and history of the many Valley of America's wars and of those who were awarded the nation's highest medals of Honor.
On this day they welcomed this latest congressional recognition of honorable service.
Among the volunteers was Forrest Coleman he also served in WWII grinning from ear to ear when her heard the news, "Well, I'm really, really happy for that. I think that it's been a long time in coming."
Coleman enlisted at the age of 17. He left his parent's home in Los Banos in 1943 for basic training that was followed by a trip across the Pacific Ocean to the Philippines. He slogged through that war torn group of islands with General Douglass MacArthur before the war ended.
Some sixteen million men and women served in the armed forces during world war two. And when it was over they came home to build a country like none other.
Being recognized for their contributions in war and in peace is reason to celebrate this year says Bill Dietzel, a Korean War vet who heads up the Fresno's annual Veterans Day Parade. He's is organizing a tribute to the greatest generation, "It's so right on for what we need to do to support our greatest generation. We'll take you back through videos, through great stories told and through music. " The event will be held on the first 'Spirit of '45 day ', August 14th at Fresno's Warnors theatre. Dietzel say the afternoon event offers the opportunity for to share the experience together and with any WWII veteran in their families.
Veterans like Legion of Valor volunteer Forrest Coleman who is grateful to Congress for getting the ball rolling on a day for everyone in the Greatest Generation, "I'm really proud of having served in World War Two and I welcome that they're gonna be honoring us."
