Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Department of Veterans Affairs Camp Butler National Cemetery in partnership with the Inter-Veterans Council of Sangamon County hosted ‘The Spirit of ’45’ Commemoration Ceremony to honor World War II Veterans on the 80th anniversary of President Truman’s announcement of the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan marking the end of World War 2.
The ceremony included, a wreath dedication, a moment of silence, and military honors provided by the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.
Assistant Director for the Camp Butler National Cemetery Christopher Webster shared that this ceremony is one of the ways they strive to keep veterans’ memories alive.
Another way a veteran’s legacy remains alive is through the Veterans Legacy Memorial, an online memorial that honors more than 10 million Veterans. Each veteran has a profile page where you may find pictures, mementos, and historical documents.
Chaplin for the Inter-Veterans Council of Sangamon County Rosemary Connolly took part in the ceremony and shared more about her recent award. Connolly was honored by the State of Illinois as one of twenty-five Women Veteran Leaders for 2025. Connolly had previously turned down the nomination because she wanted to draw more attention to her nominee the Woman’s Overseas Service League.
The Woman’s Overseas Service League was formed in May of 1921 to maintain friendships and to provide aid—financial and otherwise—to returning women. One of its major achievements was working with Congress to help ex-servicewomen gain admittance to veterans’ hospitals.
There are 9,928 World War 2 Veterans buried at Camp Butler.
