This Event Has Ended.
Kalamazoo, MI — August 25, 2025 — The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center is honored to serve as a presenting sponsor, alongside Meijer, for the Greatest Generation Celebration Week, hosted by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. This weeklong commemoration marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the Greatest Generation.
Events will take place in multiple cities across Michigan,
with Grand Rapids, the hometown of President Gerald R. Ford, serving as the center of the celebration. The week will feature parades, lectures, community gatherings, film screenings, and special ceremonies. The Air Zoo is especially proud to host a Victory Celebration! on Saturday, September 6, at its location in Kalamazoo.
“Few anniversaries in our shared history are as significant as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II,” said Nikki Statler, Director of Marketing and Development at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center. “The Greatest Generation secured a future of freedom, innovation, and hope for us all. The Air Zoo is incredibly proud to help bring these stories to life through a week of remembrance and to host the Victory Celebration, where together we will honor their legacy with gratitude and joy.”
Highlights of the Greatest Generation Celebration Week:
Honor Parade & Wings of Honor Flyover
Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Downtown Grand Rapids
A parade featuring vintage vehicles, military equipment, veterans, Rosie the Riveters, and more, concluding with a flyover of WWII aircraft.
Bell Ringing Ceremony
Monday, September 1 | 8:08 PM
Throughout Grand Rapids
Bells across the city will toll at the exact moment WWII officially ended, 80 years ago.
Lecture Series: Perspectives on the Greatest Generation
September 2 – 4
Various Venues
Featuring world-renowned historians and authors including Rick Atkinson, Garrett Graff, Sir Antony Beevor, and Susan Eisenhower.
Free Admission (Registration Required for Some Events)
Convocation of Remembrance (Prayer Service)
Tuesday, September 2 | 6 PM
Saint Andrew’s Cathedral
All are welcome to this special evening of reflection.
Greatest Generation Night at the Whitecaps
Tuesday, September 2 | 6:35 PM
LMCU Ballpark
Cinematic Salute Film Festival
September 5 – 7
Studio Park, Downtown Grand Rapids
Free outdoor screenings of WWII-era classics including Flags of Our Fathers, The Great Dictator, The Great Escape, and Casablanca.
Victory Celebration! at the Air Zoo
Saturday, September 6 | 6 – 9 PM
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, Kalamazoo
$50 | $40 for Air Zoo Members
- Keynote address by Guy Nasuti, historian with the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC)
- Live swing music by Hark Up Horns Big Band and dancing with hangar doors wide open
- WWII costume contest
- Cocktails, cuisine, and camaraderie
- Rare access to WWII aircraft cockpits and artifact displays
The Air Zoo will welcome guests for an unforgettable evening filled with energy, history, and gratitude. The event will feature:
Feel the energy. Relive the triumph. Honor the legacy.
Tickets are available at airzoo.org/victory.
About the Air Zoo:
The Air Zoo is an internationally acclaimed Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center, boasting a renowned collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 unique artifacts, displays, and exhibits showcasing history, science, and technology. The Air Zoo stands apart from similar museums and learning centers of its kind, with a keen focus on hands-on learning and engaging educational programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Air Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination perfect for the whole family with flight simulators, a theater, amusement rides, hands-on exhibits, a restoration program that specializes in WWII planes rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and the world’s largest indoor, hand-painted mural that reaches 32 feet tall and 800 feet wide! Visit the Air Zoo at airzoo.org
About the GGC Committee:
The Greatest Generation Celebration Committee was created in 2019 by Joel Westphal to honor America’s Greatest Generation. It is a collaboration of dedicated community anchors, whose passion and commitment ensures this event brings history, gratitude, and remembrance to life. The work is organized with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, Michigan Heroes Museum, the Hauenstein Center at Grand Valley State University, WZZM 13 On Your Side, The City of Grand Rapids, Gilmore Car Museum, and The Air Zoo. Mr. Westphal currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and as Professor of Global History at GRCC. He is joined by co-Chairs, Brian Hauenstein and Neil Kirby in addition to honorary chairmen, Hank Meijer and former Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham.
About the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation:
The mission of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is to enlarge President Ford’s legacy in a world that desperately needs his example of leadership and service. As author James Cannon wrote, “From its beginning American democracy has had the good fortune to produce a leader, often from an unexpected quarter, whose character and actions fit the tide of history. So it was on August 9, 1974, when this good and honest man, this obscure and solid workhorse of a Congressman from the heartland of the nation, came to the rescue of the American government. Gerald Ford was given the responsibility to move America from untruth to truth, from darkness to light.” Visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: www.geraldrfordfoundation.org
About Meijer:
Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.
About the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum:
Opened to the public in September 1981, the Gerald R. Ford Museum allows visitors to experience highlights from the lives of President Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States (1974–1977), and his wife, Betty Ford. The museum exhibits teach democratic citizenship and allows for quiet reflection. In addition to the permanent exhibits, changing temporary exhibits draws artifacts from partner museums nationwide. Part of the presidential library system of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal agency, the Ford Museum, is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Ford Library is located on the north campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. For more information, visit www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov
About Oasis Senior Advisors of Greater Grand Rapids:
Oasis Senior Advisors of Greater Grand Rapids is a locally owned and operated resource committed to helping seniors and their families navigate the complex and often emotional journey of senior living transitions. With deep roots in the West Michigan community and a strong network of trusted partners, Oasis provides personalized, compassionate, and no-cost guidance to connect families with the right senior living solutions, whether independent living, assisted living, memory care, or other housing options.
Led by a team of experienced healthcare and business professionals, Oasis Senior Advisors takes pride in offering a warm, hands-on approach backed by integrity, respect, and a passion for serving others. The Greater Grand Rapids office combines extensive local knowledge with national resources to support families every step of the way—making what can feel like an overwhelming process manageable, thoughtful, and empowering. For more information, visit www.oasissenioradvisors.
About GVSU’s Hauenstein’s Center for Presidential Studies:
Inspired by Ralph Hauenstein’s life of leadership and service, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University is dedicated to raising a community of ethical, effective leaders for the twenty-first century. The Center pursues its mission by hosting the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy, Grand Forum, and public programming about the presidency, federal government, and finding common ground. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/hc.
About the Michigan Heroes Museum:
Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, the museum has been sharing heroes’ stories since 1975. Their mission is to Honor, Respect and Remember Michigan citizens’ personal contribution to our nation’s military & space programs. The Heroes Museum boasts one of the largest collections of Congressional Medals of Honor in the worldalong with uniforms, medals, and personal items from Michigan service members and astronauts. In addition to firsthand accounts of heroism, sacrifice, and service there are nearly 1000 stories in regular rotation with over 150 personal displays at any given time. These stories include all branches of service including NASA astronauts. Every day, the Michigan Heroes Museum shares personal stories of heroism, leadership and sacrifice- sometimes the ultimate sacrifice- of ordinary Michigan men and women thrust into extraordinary circumstances. For more information, visit www.miheros.org
About Studio C:
Studio C creates space where the story happens, giving diverse communities a place to gather around movies, music, dining, and events. Studio C companies are owned by John D. Loeks. They include Celebration Cinema, with eleven locations in west and mid-Michigan including the Getty Drive In; ShowSpan, the premier producer of consumer shows in the Midwest; Studio Park Lofts & Tower, Midtown, a state-of-the-art music venue; Elsa’s and One Twenty Three Tavern.
About The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan:
Empowers the people and organizations of West Michigan to engage thoughtfully with the world. The Council, founded in 1949, sponsors 40 programs a year that are globally focused and are credible, non-partisan, relevant, civil and connects world-aware people. “To change the world,” we believe, “one must first know the world.” Learn more at www.worldmichigan.org.
About The city of Grand Rapids:
Grand Rapids is a diverse and culturally rich community of 200,000 residents located along the banks of the Grand River, 30 miles east of Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan. It serves as the county seat of Kent County and is the economic engine for the western part of the state. Grand Rapids provides a full range of services to residents, businesses and visitors and is nationally recognized as an equitable, welcoming, innovative and collaborative city with a robust economy, safe and healthy community, and elevates quality of life through excellent City services. The city is considered one of the 25 best places to live in the U.S. It also has been touted among the best cities to start a career, raise a family and retire, among many others. Stay connected with City news, events and information at grandrapidsmi.gov, facebook