Secretary Wyman speaks at the “Spirit of ’45” event marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Secretary of State Wyman joined a handful of World War II veterans, officials with the state Department of Veterans Affairs and others during a special ceremony Friday morning at the state’s World War II Memorial to mark the 70th anniversary of the war’s end. World War II ended on August 14, 1945, when Japan surrendered.

During the “Spirit of ’45” ceremony on the Capitol Campus, Wyman spoke poignantly of her uncle, who served in the war. She also told the audience about some of the heroic veterans profiled in the new exhibit about World War II that her Legacy Washington team has produced.

The exhibit, called Washington Remembers, officially opens next Thursday during a ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. in the State Reception Room at the Capitol. The exhibit itself is found in the front lobby of the Office of Secretary of State, located on the second floor of the Capitol. The public is invited to attend the launch event and view the exhibit, which features panels focusing on 12 Washingtonians who served in the war.

Secretary Wyman stands with (from left) Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Director Gary Condra, WDVA Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, Steve Heinen, James Heinen and Lt. Commander Matthew Bayer, a naval aviator representing Navy Region Northwest. They are next to the newly unveiled plaque of William Heinen, who was killed on Sept. 15, 1944, while serving as a naval aviator. Steve and James Heinen are William’s nephew and brother, respectively.