Greater Austin Council National Director Lays Wreath at the United States Navy Memorial, Keeping Alive the Spirit of ’45

 Greater Austin Council member, Mary Virginia McCormick Pittman-Waller, a National Director of the Navy League of the United States, represented that organization in the National Memorial Day Parade and wreath laying ceremonies at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC on Monday, May 26.  She was part of a special parade unit honoring the fallen of World War II organized by “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive”, a national grassroots coalition that is raising public awareness about Spirit of ’45 Day, the annual day that honors the men and women of America’s “Greatest Generation.”   Ms. Pittman-Waller was accompanied by Dr. Richard Small, Western States Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Captain Jerry Yellin, US Army Air Corps, national spokesman for “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” and the pilot who flew the final combat mission of WWII in a P-51 Mustang.  They were joined by more than 300 youth volunteers who carried photos of individuals who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in WWII and those who were killed in action during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Spirit of ’45 Day entry also included a 34 foot motor home that has traveled more than 20,000 miles throughout the country as part of a national campaign to publicize events planned for 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII.

The Spirit of ’45 Day Express visited the Alamo in San Antonio in February, and will be returning to Texas in the fall to visit several WWII memorials and museums.  The wreath laying ceremony took place at the iconic statue of “The Lone Sailor” at the United States Navy Memorial.  The United States Navy Memorial honors the men and women of the Sea Services past and present; Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and US Flag Merchant Marine.  For Ms. Pittman-Waller personally, it was a day to was remember and honor her own late father, Dr.  James Edward McCormick Pittman of Utopia, Texas who was a member of the greatest generation and served as a US Army (Col.) medical officer during the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Bronze Star for service for gallantry during the Battle of the Bulge.  Ms. Pittman-Waller is an Associate Member of the Battle of the Bulge Association.

Article and photos submitted by R. Glenn Looney, Chairman of the Board, Greater Austin Council, Navy League of the United States