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State Launches Effort To Honor WWII Vets

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - With the nation marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Florida Department of State has launched a campaign called "Victory Florida" aimed at highlighting the accomplishments of Florida veterans.

The department hopes to bring attention to more than 45 museums and 70 memorials in Florida dedicated to the war.

From 1941 to 1945, 2.5 million soldiers trained in the state at more than 170 different military installations. More than 100,000 World War II veterans live in Florida.

But World War II veterans are dying at a rate of about 900 a day, so Secretary of State Ken Detzner said time is of the essence to honor and learn from those men and women.

"Military service is a very high honor, and we are so grateful for all those who served and currently serve in our armed services,'' Detzner said during a ceremony at the Capitol.

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