Spirit of '45 Bay Area

04/28/2019

Waiting for the shot on the trolley

04/28/2019

Explaining the shot

04/28/2019

Waiting for direction

04/28/2019

Racing the sun for the best picture at our photo shoot for the 2019 Spirit of ‘45 poster

04/25/2019

Freshen up last years fashions with some low-cost changes or new accessories. Make that ho-hum dress or suit sparkle with new life. These ladies will give you some new ideas on how they gave an old frock a new look!

04/18/2019

More fashion guidelines for men for the photo shoot and for the Spirit of 45 event itself: There are those of you out there who just cannot stand the notion of wearing a tie. Especially on a nice, warm summer day. We have the answer for you in a very California style of dress. In these photos I am wearing a casual shirt in a light-weight wool knit. ("Wool??!!" you say. "On a summer day!!?? I'm gonna die!!" No you won't. Wool knits are very breathable and cool. Athletic clothes were largely made of wool for many years until synthetics came along that had the same breathability and moisture wicking properties.) These types of casual shirts were a Hollywood thing and people thought of them as California-style. The label in this shirt and jacket both evoke their California origins. The shirts had broad collars and a button loop rather than button hole for the top button.

The jacket is a "loafer" jacket. I guess they were called that because if you wore one during the day you probably didn't have a job! They had a broad collar, usually four buttons and four pockets. This one is, I believe, rayon or a rayon-blend. Others were made with panels of solid color alternating with panels of plaid or tweed wool. You can, of course, also wear with a dress shirt and tie.

The hat in the first and last pictures is a Panama, the traditional gentlemen's hat for warm weather. You can also top this with a traditional fur-felt fedora or a flat cap.

04/15/2019

This pie-eating contest picture is from Kansas in 1939 but it is a good example of summer casual clothing for men and boys throughout the 40s. My guess would be that its a Saturday afternoon because Sunday was usually a dressier day. Overalls or dungarees (the 40s term for jeans) on most of the kids. The men may or not have ties on but nearly everyone is wearing a hat. Probably a rural/farming community.

04/14/2019

If you wear glasses, there is no easier way to ruin a carefully put-together vintage look than to top it off with modern glasses. Find original frames (as shown here), or modern frames with a retro look.

04/14/2019

Men, when you are considering what civilian duds to wear for our photo shoot later this month and, especially, for the event in August, think about a summer-weight suit. Nowadays we think of suits only for formal events or maybe for work but in the 40s they were everyday, year-round wear for many men. A light colored suit in a light fabric, topped with a straw boater hat, is perfect for a summer day in 1945. And the ladies will definitely notice you!

04/14/2019

Women's Rationed Fashion: The British Government imposed regulations in March of 1941, limiting the amount of materials and features such as pleats, buttons, embellishments, etc. for use in a garment’s production.

Labels were marked with a CC41 (Civilian Clothing 1941)

In America, the War Production Board specified restrictions for every item of women’s clothing by issuing its Regulation L85 in March 1942.

Some key characteristics:
- Narrow A-line skirt
- Simple and clean lines
- Hemline just below the knee
- limited amount of buttons
- Solid color with some contrasting trim
- Match with a hat and brown shoes

04/10/2019

For the month of April we are going to be sharing some interesting ads and photos of 1940s fashion.

Here is an example of mens suits of the early 1940s.

These suits are commonly and mistakenly refereed to as gangster suits or zuit suits. They are just suits. Even the thugs back then dressed nice.

Some key characteristics:
-Three piece suit with vest (wool)
-Jacket: Wide lapels, double breast
-Trousers:Wide legged. Single or double pleats. Cuffs. Long zipper
-Pocket square
-Spear color shirt
-Tie clips
-Cap toe or wing tip shoes

Notice the absence of a hat outdoors!

04/10/2019

Attention vintage fashionistas!

We are looking for individuals to be part of our annual photoshoot for the Spirit of `45 event flyer in August. Each year we recreate a scene from August 1945--celebrating the end of the War.

We are looking for people who have and can wear
a Class A WWII Uniform, and or 1940s civilian clothing from head to toe. This also includes being properly groomed for the time period.

Women's look book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bLDa89En6uOHcFkHTpf0iyAN1N5vo2lA/view?usp=sharing

Men's look book:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kr7kSb3kOXTbBA6QFT5MKUCKnN8IF822

Space is limited, 20 people needed.

This is a volunteer event. Lunch will be provided.
Everyone will be photographed in a series of scenes, but everyone may not appear in the final flyer.

When: Sunday April 28th 11am-1pm
Where: History San Jose

Please fill out this contact form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1upEF4nMZmNtWVaKoaiV0Hc3hH-P_25qhmZ0prju0C6Y

OR email us at spiritof45bayarea[AT]gmail[DOT]com

03/29/2019

We are still searching for an enclosed trailer for our dog-tag machine. If you know of a free or super cheap trailer please let us know

Hello friends! Spirit of ’45 Bay Area needs your help.
DO YOU KNOW OF AN ENCLOSED TRAILER THAT WE COULD BE GIVEN OR PURCHASE SUPER CHEAP?

So45 needs an enclosed trailer to store our dog-tag machine and for transporting it to different venues. We make dog-tags to earn money for the restoration of our 1942 GMC cargo truck.

Our dream trailer would be/have the following:
Enclosed
7’ tall (so we could work on the dog-tag machine standing up)
5’ – 6’ wide
10’ long
SINGLE AXLE
Rear ramp door
Side door
4 D hooks/tiedowns
Spring suspension
Fenders

Pleas DM us if you have a lead on an enclosed trailer! THANKS!

03/06/2019

Hello friends! Spirit of ’45 Bay Area needs your help.
DO YOU KNOW OF AN ENCLOSED TRAILER THAT WE COULD BE GIVEN OR PURCHASE SUPER CHEAP?

So45 needs an enclosed trailer to store our dog-tag machine and for transporting it to different venues. We make dog-tags to earn money for the restoration of our 1942 GMC cargo truck.

Our dream trailer would be/have the following:
Enclosed
7’ tall (so we could work on the dog-tag machine standing up)
5’ – 6’ wide
10’ long
SINGLE AXLE
Rear ramp door
Side door
4 D hooks/tiedowns
Spring suspension
Fenders

Pleas DM us if you have a lead on an enclosed trailer! THANKS!

11/22/2018

Happy Thanksgiving.

'Happy Thanksgiving from the front.'

Sgt Louis S.Wallace, from Meadville, Miss., prepares two of the many thousands of turkeys on a M1937 Field Range that have arrived from the states.

The M-1937 served as the Army’s primary field stove from the beginning of World War II until the end of the Vietnam War. Each RANGE was equipped with a gasoline-powered fire UNIT(or "burner"), 10- and 15-gallon stockpots, a heavy aluminum roasting and baking pan (one deep, one shallow), a cradle, and a set of knives and utensils.The following description from, Lawrence P. Belmont of the 225th, who used to use them in the ETO.

"The M-1937 Field Gas Range could cook and bake anything. They were about three feet tall and about 15 inches wide; they had compartments with rails where you could put the burner if you wanted to grill items. It had a square roasting pan with a cover — you would use the cover for a grill and put the gas range right below it. If you were cooking potatoes or making coffee, it had 10- and 15-gallon stock pots and you would put the gas burner on the bottom. Before this very versatile and portable stove, the Army had wooden and coal stoves that they used to use on troop trains. The M-1937 was so easy to move and set up. It had handles on each side and two guys could move them easily since they didn't weigh much when they didn't have the pots in them. You could put them any place: in the back of trucks or in searchlight trailers. In Normandy I had mine in a wooden lean-to shed that my buddy Sgt. Kravarik help me make. I had two stoves set up there and used to make hotcakes every morning. I can still smell them! The biggest problem was that after cleaning them you were very dirty because the gas would clog up the pipes on them. The other thing was that they were prone to blowing up! They had a round disc on the top of the burner and you had to use graphite to seal it, so you'd get really dirty cleaning them. But the guy that invented it was sure a smart person. In the German Army, the cooks had a 30-gallon tub and they made a fire in the bottom."

Colourised by Paul Reynolds.
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoColourisation
Historic Military Photo Colourisations)

11/14/2018

Photos from Spirit of '45 Bay Area's post

11/13/2018

Photos from Spirit of '45 Bay Area's post

11/13/2018

Are you interested in getting your WWII vet's photo on a banner? Please send an email to [email protected]

11/12/2018

Friends - do you have any photos from yesterday's San Jose Veterans Day Parade or Honor on the Row that you would like us to share? Please tag us or send us a copy :)

We would love to include your photos in the albums

In case you missed it:

https://www.facebook.com/122150557863873/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1956799407732303

https://www.facebook.com/122150557863873/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1956802317732012

2018 Spirit of '45 Bay Area in the San Jose Veterans Day Parade. Sunday, November 11, 2018.

11/12/2018

2018 Spirit of '45 Bay Area at Honor on the Row, Santana Row. Sunday, November 11, 2018.

11/12/2018

2018 Spirit of '45 Bay Area in the San Jose Veterans Day Parade. Sunday, November 11, 2018.

11/11/2018

Military vehicles arriving to Honor on the Row - Santana Row, 2 - 6 pm today

Come join us!

11/10/2018

Spirit of '45 Bay Area is marching in the San Jose Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Come out and watch the parade! The parade begins at 12:00 p.m (noon). Arrive super early to get a good spot to watch the parade.

Here is a map of the parade route:

11/09/2018

Posters are sorted and loaded up for Sunday. We are looking forward to meeting all our poster holders!

There’s still a couple of spots open for volunteers to march in the parade with Spirit of ‘45 Bay Area. DM us if you are interested 😀

11/09/2018

To all the lovely volunteers who will be marching in the parade on Sunday with Spirit of '45 Bay Area - the time to meet up at the staging area is 10:45 a.m.

11/09/2018

Looks like we will have 100 posters being marched in the San Jose Veterans Day Parade on Sunday!!

A BIG THANKS to all our volunteers! We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

11/04/2018

spiritof45bayareagmail.com

We found out that the San Jose Veterans Day Parade begins at 12:00 pm on Sunday, November 11.

If you are carrying posters in the parade with us, please arrive at the staging area at 10:30 am.

If you are interested in joining us for the parade, please send us a DM or an email at [email protected]

11/03/2018

9 DAYS UNTIL THE SAN JOSE VETERANS DAY PARADE!!!

Come and help hold posters with Spirit of '45 in the parade

10/26/2018

SWING DANCE FUNDRAISER FOR SPIRIT OF '45
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019
8 P.M. TO 11 P.M.

10/26/2018

SPIRIT OF '45 DAY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019
12 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

10/26/2018

SAVE THE DATE! PASS ON THE GREAT NEWS!

SPIRIT OF '45 DAY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019
12 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

SWING DANCE FUNDRAISER FOR SPIRIT OF '45
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019
8 P.M. TO 11 P.M.

Both events take place at History Park San Jose

10/24/2018

This year is San Jose's 100th anniversary of holding a Veterans Day parade. And to celebrate this awesome milestone, Spirit of '45 would like to have 100 posters of WWII veterans marched in the parade.

Do you know any junior or high school students that would be interested in marching in the Veterans Day parade as a poster holder? Are you interested?

Spirit of '45 is an educational organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the men and women of the Greatest Generation, who fought and won World War II, so that their example of courage and self-sacrifice, "can-do" attitude and commitment to community can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America.

This is a great opportunity for students to earn some community service hours. Families welcome to participate.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please DM or send us an email at [email protected].

09/03/2018

HISTORY

Today is the anniversary of the official surrender on board the USS Missouri.

"The day for which the people of the world have prayed is here at last. There is great thankfulness in our hearts. Peace has not come, however, as the result of the kind of power which we have known in the past, but as the result of a new discovery which as yet is not fully understood, nor even developed. There is a certain awe and fear coupled with our rejoicing today, because we know that there are new forces in the world, partly understood but not as yet completely developed and controlled. This new force is a tremendous challenge to the wisdom of men, and for that reason I know that most of us feel that it must be subject to their collective wisdom...Today we have a mixture of emotions, joy that our men are freed of constant danger, hope that those whom we love will soon be home among us, awe at what man’s intelligence can compass, and a realization that that intelligence uncontrolled by great spiritual forces, can be man’s destruction instead of his salvation." Eleanor Roosevelt on #ThisDayinHistory 1945

08/19/2018

Support our friends at the Pacific Bus Museum today!

Come to the Pacific Bus Museum Open House today from 11 am to 3 pm. Lots of buses on display

08/19/2018

Pacific Bus Museum

We are one day away from our 2018 Open House. Come attend this great event, and see vintage buses from the 1940's, up to modern day coaches. Enjoy our Barbeque, and visit with friends. This is a great event, and we hope you will be able to attend. Please share with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there.

08/19/2018

Rolling history.

Our visiting buses are arriving at our open house today. Please come down and join the fun.

08/19/2018

Support our friends at the Pacific Bus Museum today!

Come to the Pacific Bus Museum Open House today from 11 am to 3 pm. Lots of buses on display

08/12/2018

We had a fantastic time at the Spirit of '45 event last weekend! If you would like to make new friends, have fun, and help an awesome organization -- become a Spirit of '45 volunteer. Shoot us a DM or email [email protected].

"I don't know what I could do to help..." Don't worry about that! Just let us know that you are willing to help. That is all that is needed right now. 😀 Let's talk.

Please feel free to share this message with friends and family. Scouts, high school community service hours, young adults, retirees...

08/10/2018

We had a fantastic time at the Spirit of '45 event last weekend! If you would like to make new friends, have fun, and help an awesome organization -- become a Spirit of '45 volunteer. Shoot us a DM or email [email protected].

"I don't know what I could do to help..." Don't worry about that! Just let us know that you are willing to help. That is all that is needed right now. 😀 Let's talk.

Please feel free to share this message with friends and family. Scouts, high school community service hours, young adults, retirees...

08/10/2018

Our friends at the Red Oak Victory light up engines!!

Watch the local news in the Bay Area tonight (Channel 2, 3, or 4) to see the Red Oak Victory and hear the story of our light off of her engines for the first time since 1968. We even had the prop turning over today!

08/10/2018

4th Annual “Rosie Rally” & Home Front Festival | Richmond

4th Annual “Rosie Rally” & Home Front Festival | Richmond

Thousands will gather at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park for the 4th Annual “Rosie Rally” and Home Front Festival. 4th

08/08/2018

08/08/2018

2018 Spirit of ‘45 event

08/08/2018

Dane

What a great night of Music and Spirit at the Spirit of 45 Dance wearing my Uncle's original WWII navy Officers uniform. This was the last picture of the single nurse before she got engaged within the hour., congrats to her and her new Fiance. Real magic night for all.

08/08/2018

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Spirit of ‘45 event this past weekend. We had a great time!

DM us any pictures 📷 that you would like to share here or on our Instagram page. 😊

Please share the Spirit of ‘45 page with your friends. They will be able to see all the great pictures.