Approximately some 40 World War II veterans will be commemorated at two different festivities at two different locations on Fort Myers Beach during a national celebration on Sunday, Aug. 14. Veterans from Lehigh Acres are invited to the event.

The Beach’s inaugural “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” event, which is observed throughout the country on that day when World War II ended in 1945, will begin by honoring those war veterans and their spouses with a free rib dinner at American Legion Post 274 at 899 Buttonwood Drive from 3 to 4 p.m. Other guests of the WWII vets can enjoy the same dinner for a $7 donation.

Any WWII veterans who would like to attend need to make a reservation for their free rib dinner by signing up at their VFW or American Legion posts, by emailing spiritof45@yahoo.com or by calling Eryka at (917) 607-4385. The cut-off date for signing up for the dinner is Aug. 7.

Afterwards, the Town of Fort Myers Beach will provide transportation for those distinguished members of the armed services for a “Taps Over the Water” ceremony at Crescent Beach Family Park.

The event there begins at 3:30 p.m. with 1940s and 1950s music being played by Dave Hall.

WWII Veterans will begin arriving at the park around 4:45 p.m. via the aforementioned private transportation that will be escorted by Rolling Thunder and Moose Riders. Local Boy Scouts and The Angels will seat them once they arrive to the park.

At 5:45 p.m., the Color Guard and Bag Pipers will march into the park and FMB Mayor Larry Kiker, the master of ceremonies, will welcome all to the event. He will then call Commander of American Legion Post 274 Mike Adcock, who will introduce Chaplin Bob Gleisle for opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. For Myers Beach Manager Terry Stewart sing The Star Spangled Banner.

At 6:15 p.m., Kiker will read a U.S congressional proclamation letter (which states the event will be held on the second Sunday of November every year) and introduce Ret. Col. Thomas Hutchinson to present the Bronze Star to James R. Matlock.

Councilman Joe Kosinski, one of the event coordinators along with Bob Enger and Eryka Appaker, will speak on the significance of Laying of Wreath ceremony being performed by the U.S. Coast Guard officials and escorted by “Wreaths Across America” Flotilla, which will take the wreath out to sea. A fly-over performed by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and the Fort Myers Beach Fire and Rescue Department follows with an aerial salute to the American Flag.

Adcock will then give a command for a 21-gun salute, and the Bonita Springs (American Legion) Post 303 will play Taps. Stewart will lead everyone in a rendition of “God Bless America.” Kosinski will make closing remarks to bring the ceremony to an end.

“We’re very excited (to put this event on),” said Kosinski, an Army veteran. “We’ve had everybody pitch in and help out with this event, including Lee County Parks & Recreation, the Town of Fort Myers Beach and eight veterans organizations that will participate. We are looking at this to be an annual event and make it a success.”

There is no assigned parking area at Crescent Beach Family Park, so anyone interested in attending the ceremony may consider parking their vehicles at a park-n-ride and taking the trolley.

“The idea is to keep the spirit alive for the younger generation and ongoing for future generations,” said Vernie Kosinski, Joe’s wife. “It’s so important to “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” for education reasons and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Vernie is extending the invitation out to any World War II veteran who may not know about the event. Some may live at Shell Point Retirement Community or other nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

More than 400,000 Americans gave their lives in service to their country during World War II.

According to the website, www.spiritof45.org, “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” is a non-profit, non-partisan initiative to preserve the legacy of the men and women of the “greatest generation” so that their example of courage, self-sacrifice, “can-do” attitude and commitment to community can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America at a time when our country once again must come together to meet historic challenges.

Its goal and initiative is “to establish an annual day of remembrance and national renewal to remind America of the values and accomplishments of the generation which endured the difficult times of the Great Depression, fought to defeat the greatest tyranny in history, and then went on to rebuild their shattered world in an unprecedented effort to help assure a better future for both friend and former foe alike.” The 2011 national event is celebrating its 66th year.