by Brad Hoopes
Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, The Veterans Plaza honors WWII veterans this Memorial Day weekend. We start things off on Friday May 22nd, by planting 4085 flags – one flag for every 100 serviceman lost in the war. That evening, a children’s choir sings, 21 Gun Salute, prayer & Taps, and then showing a movie under the stars “The Longest Day.”
Saturday, we host a big band dance at the Fort Collins Senior Center. The band is “Just for Kicks” and the “American Bombshells”, an Andrew Sisters tribute act perform. The keynote speaker, Jonna Doolittle Hoppes tells the story of her grandfather, Jimmy Doolittle. Starting at 5pm for WWII vets and guest, no charge and then at 7:30pm open the doors to the general public for those who want to come tear up the rug.
Sunday at the Plaza is a day of activities surrounding a noon ceremony. Displays, re-enactors, vendors, food, another big band, flyover, etc. We are trying to gather the biggest group of WWII vets as possible. We are also asking those families, widow(er)s, or friends, whose WWII vet has passed, to come and bring a picture of their vet to hold so that we can remember and honor them on this special day! Veterans Plaza is located at the very west end of Horsetooth Road in Fort Collins. For more information go to www.veteransplazanoco.org for event information and to purchase dance tickets.