Local Couple Join Phillips for Introduction of 'Spirit of '45 Day' Bill

Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) introduced a resolution Wednesday designating Aug. 11, 2013 “Spirit of ’45 Day” in commemoration of the end of World War II.

On hand were Dan and Monique LaCroix, of Woonsocket, who serve as members of the national Spirit of ’45 nonprofit organization. The Spirit of ’45 is dedicated to celebrating the anniversary of the end of World War II while honoring fallen soldiers and their stories nationwide.

The couple owns a custom pewter design store called Inner Peace Designs in Woonsocketand makes keepsakes for various historical locations and national parks, including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite and Gettysburg. About a year ago, the couple created a pendant depicting the iconic kiss in Times Square at the end of World War II. A representative from the Spirit of ’45 organization saw the pendant in a museum and contacted the couple to see if they could customize one for the nonprofit. The LaCroixes agreed and joined the organization’s mission to keep the memories, the courage, the strength, and the can-do spirit alive in the American people.

“I am just very proud to be able to honor our brave soldiers, new and old,” Representative Phillips said. “We must always remember their sacrifices, courage and the lessons we learned from wars past. There are certain parts of history which the world should not repeat, and this day stands as a reminder of that as well.”