The Japanese Surrender memorialized
Almost a month after the fact, but still during the important year of the 75th anniversary, I want to talk a little about the commemorations of the Japanese surrender. That day was celebrated on September 2, when the Allied and Japanese delegations officially signed the Document of Surrender in 1945. Many commemorations were held all over the world this year. We hung out the flag on August 15 and on September 2.
September 2, 1945: The signing of the Document of the Japanese surrender
It took place on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Harbor. An Allied Armada of over 400 aircraft flew overhead.
September 2, 1995: Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Japanese surrender
This took place as well on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri, in the harbor of Bremerton WA. USS Missouri (BB-63) or “Mighty Mo” was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and is best remembered as the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan, which ended World War II.
I was invited to attend the ceremony that day, September 2, 1995, a survivor of the camps on Java and author of the 1992 book In the Shadow of the Sun, based on my mother’s secret camp journal.
It was a great honor and an unforgettable day. Standing on the deck amidst three of the huge 16″ guns, and looking at the seal in the deck on the spot where the document of surrender was signed fifty years before, I realized for the first time that I had escaped the horrors of the war and had gotten a second chance on life. It was the most emotional moment of my life.
September 2, 2020: Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Japanese surrender
The Official 75th Commemoration of the End of WWII was held on the Fantail of the USS Missouri, in Hawai’i. The guests of honor included WWII Veterans and others who witnessed the event 75 years ago.
- Legacy of Peace Aerial Parade over the USS Missouri and USS Arizona. The Warbirds passed over the USS Missouri.
- International Wreath Ceremony engaging nations who were part of WWII.
- Missing Man Formation flyover.
This event was by invitation-only as well and was live-streamed throughout Hawai’i and around the globe.
September 21, 2020: We received our ballots and we have voted! I personally took the ballots to the Cary Postoffice today.
September 22, 2020: We got a message via BallotTrax that our ballots have been received by the Postmaster and returned to the County Board of Elections.
The next notification we will receive is when our ballots have been counted. It cannot be more safe!
It’s a Wonderful Life!
Until next time,
Ronny