Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson, right, listens as Auston O'Neill plays taps Tuesday at the Butler County Historical Society office. O'Neill and his wife, Bonnie, are touring the U.S. to promote Spirit of '45 Day.

A Bantam reconnaissance car — a Jeep — on Tuesday served as a Welcome Wagon to Butler for Auston and Bonnie O'Neill.

“That's what we came to see,” an enthusiastic Bonnie O'Neill said to Pat Collins, administrative director for the Butler County Historical Society.

The Centerville, Va., couple is touring the country in a red, white and blue RV to remind people that the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II will be observed next year.

The couple, now in the 27th state of a two-year, 50-state agenda, stopped in the city Tuesday en route to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County.

They stayed only long enough to snap off a few photographs with Collins, Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson, and the Jeep, which is stored at the society office. Auston O'Neill also took the time to play taps on his bugle.

O'Neill's father, the couple said, had been a decorated World War II veteran. At the time of his death five years ago, the couple was saddened to see that no one was available to play taps at his funeral.

So Auston O'Neill, a nearly lifelong trumpeter and retired salesman, took up playing the bugle with Buglers Across America and then hooked up with Spirit of '45, an organization dedicated to promoting Spirit of '45 Day.

In 2010, Congress unanimously voted in favor of the day “to preserve and honor the legacy of the men and women of the World War II generation so that their example of national unity, shared sacrifice and service to community will continue to inspire future generations of Americans,” according to the organization's website. The day is marked on the second Sunday in August.

In addition to recognized sites and parades, the couple and their dog, Barker, have been stopping at veterans homes and senior living facilities.

“God has a mission for us,” Bonnie O'Neill said.