Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
A Citywide Tribute to America’s Greatest Generation
Eighty years ago, World War II came to an end marking a historic victory for freedom and a defining moment in American history. This year, San Diego proudly honors the heroes who served, sacrificed, and secured peace for future generations.
Join us in commemorating this milestone with a series of community-wide events that pay tribute to the enduring legacy of the Greatest Generation.
Heroes Among Us: 80 Years After WWII
OCTOBER 11, 2025 - 11:00 a.m.
Included with Museum Admission
Heroes Among Us offers a rare and unforgettable opportunity to meet and interact with living WWII veterans, the courageous men and women of the Greatest Generation who answered the call of duty eight decades ago.
Guests will have the chance to:
- Meet WWII veterans in person
- Capture a photo and a memory
- Listen to stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience
- See rare WWII memorabilia and personal collectibles
This is more than a meet-and-greet, it’s a celebration of legacy, a tribute to service, and a chance to say thank you to those who fought for freedom around the world.
Are you a WWII veteran or know someone who is?
We would be honored to include you in this meaningful event. Please contact Paulette Mello at pmello@midway.org for more information about participating.
SAN DIEGO VETERANS DAY PARADE HONORING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WWII
NOVEMBER 11, 2025 · 10:00 a.m.
Celebrate our heroes along the beautiful San Diego Bayfront at this year’s Veterans Day Parade, which will shine a special spotlight on World War II veterans as grand marshals. Marching bands, military groups, and community organizations will come together in patriotic tribute.
Location: Harbor Drive (in front of the County Administration Building)
More info coming soon → sdvetparade.org
Past Events
Spirit of '45 – A Celebration of the End of WWII Hosted by Honor Flight San Diego & the San Diego Air & Space Museum
AUGUST 10, 2025
On August 10, 2025, Honor Flight San Diego and the San Diego Air & Space Museum held a special celebration in honor of WWII veterans and Rosie the Riveters.
**The next Honor Flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C. is Sept. 26-28, 2025. WWII veterans (or their family member) should call (800) 655-6997 to get on the list. There is no charge to the veterans for the 3-day trip. Go to: www.honorflightsandiego.org for more information.
“Dear Doc” – An Evening of Wartime Letters & Remembrance
On September 16, 2025, aboard the USS Midway Museum, “Dear Doc” honored the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII with dramatic readings of real wartime letters written to Dr. Lauren Post, a beloved San Diego State University (SDSU) professor and WWI veteran, who kept thousands of students serving overseas connected through the Aztec Newsletter.
Brought to life by Write Out Loud and written by SDSU alumni Jonnie Wilson, the performance drew from over 5,000 archived letters in SDSU Library's Special Collections and University Archives.
Thank you to all who joined us for this special evening.
