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JOHNSON CITY –  At 7 pm on the 14^th of August 1945 President Truman announced the surrender of Japan and the effective end of hostilities of World War II.  Today Mountain Home National Cemetery held a Wreath Laying Ceremony to commemorate the “Spirit of 45”.  Mrs. Liz Cole from Bugles Across America provided the playing of Taps for the event.  More information can be found at the Spirit of 45 Website

World War II was the largest conflict in American history.  From December 7, 1941, until August 14, 1945, more than 16 million American men and women served in uniform, with more than 400,000 killed, 670,000 wounded, and 130,000 taken prisoner.  From the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Guadalcanal; from the skies over Germany and Japan to the convoys plowing through U-boat infested waters in the North Atlantic, American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Merchant Mariners fought, died, and ultimately prevailed on the land, air and sea.

Seventy-five years ago today, President Truman announced to the people of this nation that the Empire of Japan had surrendered.   While the formal treaty was signed in September, for millions of American service members and their families, this was the moment that they knew they would return home alive.  Our debt to them is everlasting, and today especially we honor the memory of those Veterans who served during World War II, and their families who also served here on the home front, and who now lay at rest in this national shrine that we call Mountain Home National Cemetery. 

 For more information, visit the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) website or contact Kirk Leopard, Cemetery Director, at 423-979-3535.  To make burial arrangements or schedule a memorial service at Mountain Home National Cemetery or any VA national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.