Battleship Missouri Memorial Marks 66th Anniversary Of The End of World War II
The Battleship Missouri Memorial will commemorate the 66th anniversary of the formal end of history’s most destructive war with a free public ceremony, titled “The End of the War in the Pacific,” on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, from 8 to 9 a.m.
The event will be held on the Missouri’s forward main deck, near the site where Supreme Allied Commander Gen Douglas MacArthur and representatives from 10 nations assembled to accept Imperial Japan’s formal, unconditional surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63), then anchored in Tokyo Bay.
In the shadow of the Mighty Mo’s main guns, the commemorative ceremony will feature guest speakers, patriotic music, performances of a rifle salute and Echo Taps from atop the turret and superstructure, and opportunities for guests to tour the ship’s decks. Speakers will include Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, WWII veteran and chancellor of the University of Richmond, and RAdm Robert P. Girrier, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven, USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group.
Imperial Japan’s surrender occurred months following V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8, 1945, when German troops laid down their arms after Germany surrendered to the Allied Nations. Japan agreed to surrender on Aug. 15 (Japan time) but formalized the agreement on Sept. 2 aboard the USS Missouri, thereby signifying the Allies’ victory over Axis Powers and restoring peace to the world.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial, located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the day of infamy that saw the sinking of USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor and ends with Imperial Japan’s unconditional surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Following an astounding career that spans five decades and three wars, from World War II to the Korean conflict to the Liberation of Kuwait, the “Mighty Mo” was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which operates the battleship as a historic attraction and memorial. The association oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants and the generosity of donors.
The event is free and open to the public. Roundtrip shuttle bus service for the event will run from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Suggested attire is aloha for civilians and summer whites or service equivalent for military personal.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial will commemorate the 66th anniversary of the formal end of World War II.
MCA&F News and Announcements
Inside the May issues of Leatherneck and Gazette :
MCA&F Poll
Member Oo-Rahs!
I received my Dress Blues I ordered from The Marine
Shop in the mail today. And I just wanted to write and tell everyone there
that you all did a great job! Everyone from the tailors, to the customer
service reps. I am highly impressed with the quality and tailoring of your
uniforms. I will definitely keep coming back to The Marine Shop in the
future for uniforms!
Thanks for the email; I purchased the two Marine Corps. Cups for my brother who served with the First Marine Div. in Vietnam . He was very pleased with the cups and I was very impressed with the purchase. The online catalog did not do the product the justice it deserved. Thanks again and I am sure you will hear from me in the future.
I received my blouse last Friday and want to thank you for your efforts
in getting things done. Also, please thank the tailors involved in
making everything right and please give my sincere thanks to those who
made the decision to make the necessary corrections at no charge to me.
That in itself says a lot about your organization. The blouse fits
like a glove and actually looks and feels like new.
Thank you and all the staff who had a hand in correcting a problem and making an old man happy. Semper Fi
Sincerely,
My Name is Sergeant Major Juan. M. Hidalgo, Sergeant Major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Major (Ret.) Frank Pulley is one of my mentors and is someone that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The MCA and SgtMaj Pulley do a phenomenal job in helping us recognize our Marines and Sailors and they continually demonstrate that they are always more than ready to support; anytime...Anyplace! And on behalf of the entire 13th MEU, I thank you very much!
Ma’am,
Just wanted to let you know that I got the sword yesterday with time to spare. It showed up unscathed due to the excellent packing job despite the rough postal process. And most importantly it looks great and the Bahraini’s couldn’t be happier! Thanks again for all of your assistance.
R/S
Major Wayne Phelps
3d LAAD Bn XO
Security Force, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
Ma’am,
I received the shipment of plaques, books and certificates today for
mail call. It was more exciting to me than candy or magazines! Thank
you very much.
Semper Fi,
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone at the association for sponsoring the Ground Awards Dinner on 3 June at the Crystal City Marriott. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were tremendously pleased with the hospitality shown to us and the great accommodations. As well, I wanted to thank the association for the DVD of the event that was mailed to me. It is something that I will keep and treasure for the rest of my days. Again, thanks for everything.
Semper Fidelis!
Jessica,
Thank you so much for taking the extra time and making the extra effort
to ship another hat to me for my husband last week. The second hat
arrived last Thursday... and he was tickled with it. Although it may be
"only a hat" it is a very special hat in many ways. He will always be a
proud Marine dad, and your kindness is very much appreciated.
Good Afternoon Louise,
The commissioning ceremony was a tremendous success! Thank you very much once again for all your efforts!
Have a wonderful day and God Bless.
Respectfully,
You have been the easiest person I have ever dealt with since I have started MWR out here. You were very quick to respond to my every question and very knowledgeable about your work for an order over a phone that was my greatest experience. If you were in the Marine Corps Skylar I would write you up for a meritorious promotion. I will surely write it in my books to pass the word to the next MWR rep to continue the membership with you guys.
Sgt Richard Colmenarez
Professional Marine Discussions
A location for professional communication and informal dissemination of information within the Marine artillery community.
Debate the issues in this month's magazine.
Discuss your Marine Corps and the issues it faces.
