Veterans, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, aloha and welcome to the battleship missouri memorial here at historic pearl harbor if is 9 02 a. M. I am michael carr, im the president and chief executive officer of the uss Missouri Memorial Association. It is an honor to snerve in tha capacity and to be your emcee today. This is the 75th anniversary of one of the most significant events in history, ending world war ii. First and fore momost the honor introduces our guests. I ask that you stand, if youre able, and remain standing. Please hold your applaud to the end so we may honor them collectively for their service, courage, and sacrifice. Mr. Alcon. Victor areola. Oscar bangoey. Walter ching. Jack detour. Paul newman. W wendall newman. Theodore richson. Arthur shack. Joseph young. Ladies and gentlemen, our world war ii veterans. [ applause ] its an honor to have you in our company today. The following world war ii veterans also call hawaii home, but unfortunately were unable to join us in person for todays ceremony. Id like to take just a moment to recognize them by name. They are julio ramon, arthur cheng, raymond cheng, narza narzal conceptione, rodrigo diaz and wilbur young. Next i want to recognize our world war ii veterans who had made plans to travel here and join us on the battle ship memorial, including 42 veterans who witnessed the ceremony on october 2nd, 1945. In the end these heroes were unable to travel due to concerns for their health as a result of the covid19 virus. Were very saddened they had to make that call, but it was for the sake of their health. Were honored to have other dignitaries this morning that we want to recognize at this time. Governor david ega who will be offering the opening remarks for todays ceremony of celebration and honor. Our distinguished guest speaker, admiral phil davison. And delivering the keynote address, secretary mark esper, the u. S. Secretary of defense. Please recognize them. [ applause ] id now like to take a moment to share a message from senators bob and elizabeth dole, honor cochairpersons to the commemoration of the end of world war ii. This is their message. When we were invited to cochair todays commemoration surrounded by the Sacred Waters of pearl harbor, we knew only the most extraordinary circumstances would keep us from joining you in person. Like everyone, we never imagined such circumstances would come to pass. Please know our hearts are with you this morning, and despite the distance, we are honored to cochair this momentous occasion alongside our dear friend, linda hope. As a combatwounded soldier, the youngest sister of an iwojima survivor, and two proud members of the family, their families and caregivers, we know too much the tragedy of war. But weve seen some qualities of which humans are capable, courage beyond measure, loyalty beyond words, sacrifice, ingenuity and endurance beyond imagining. The attack on this harbor echoed across the ocean to the mainland, ringing from coast to coast as a great call to action. When that call was heard, the entire nation responded. Perhaps no generation since our founders better understood that if they attempted to meet the moment while divided, they would not succeed. If they allowed the burden of the war to be shouldered by a precious few, they could not win. And if they did not find their path to victory, the future of our nation and freedom itself might perish from the earth. The world war ii generation eliminated one of the greatest threats to peace in the world that the world has ever known, yet, incredibly, that was not all they gave to our nation. Those americans showed future generations the sacrifice that we must sometimes make to preserve and protect freedom. They demonstrate the insurmountable odds that our country can overcome when we act as one. Most importantly, theyve provided that even in moments darkened by uncertainty and despair, there is tremendous hope through unie hope. Through unity, through selflessness, america can always find a way. May god bless the souls that lost their lives in world war ii and the servicemembers who restored the worlds peace and may god forever bless the United States of america. Bob and elizabeth dole. [ applause ] next please join me in welcoming the cochairs of the 75th World War Ii Committee, steve cologne and other members of the committee, please stand. [ applause ] we began todays ceremony at 10 02 a. M. To honor a day in world history. It was a dreary morning in tokyo bay, perfect weather for such a somber ceremony. More than 250 allied war ships encircled the missouri with more than 500 bombers in the air, representing ten nations whose forces fought in the war. Top military lirds from the allied forces and Imperial Japan gathered aboard this magnificent battle ship. U. S. S. Crew members were on deck, everyone wanting to witness history being made. The world was listening and watching as well, as dozens of news outlets and journalists who recorded the ceremony and captured each moment for future generations to remember for all time. Now if youre able, please rise for the parading of the colors and remain standing for the performance of our National Anthem and hawaii ponai. Our National Anthem will be performed by Emily Kershaw and the United Pacific band and sung by julia smyrna. Today is also a day in hawaiis history. In 1968, halua kawani was born. She was the last female monarch of the kingdom. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, le left. March left, left, left, right, left. Turn forward. Oh say can you see. By the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave order forward ready, two. Color guard, post a color. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Mark time more left, left. Detail right face. Ready, two ready, two left face. Forward march. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Left, left, left, right, left. Forward. Deta detail. Forward march. Left, left, left, right, left. Honoring the queens prayer this morning is marlene sai. There she is. Born on september 2, 1838. Known as a prolific songwriter, a hymn written by the queen. Known as the queens prayer, on march 22, 1895 while imprisoned in irilani palace. She asks for the lords protection, mercy and loving kindness and forgiveness of those who wronged her. Peace will be our wish now and forevermore. Amen. Thank you, marlene. Please be seated. 75 years ago, the japanese delegation had no idea what to expect upon boarding the u. S. Missouri to sign the formal documents agreeing to japans Unconditional Surrender to the allied forces. For nearly four years, the war in the pacific had raged as a series of epic, ferocious and brutal battles on land, in the sea and in the air. United states and japan were fueled by a deep hatred for each other. Foreign minister momoro shigitsu to the cross as he signed the letter of surrender in supreme command of the allied forces. Then the following countries also signed in this order. Fleet admiral chester nemitz for the United States. General hu young sang for china. Admiral Bruce Frazier for the United Kingdom. The soviet union. General sir thomas blainey for australia. Sir Morris Cosgrove for canada. General darme, a clerk from france. Lieutenant admiral for the netherlands and vice air Marshall Leonard isett for new zealand. The ceremony, though, was not one of vengeance or hatred. Instead the japanese delegation heard word of lasting peace, to bond a friendship that has grown stronger with each generation. With the rest of the world listening intently, general carter not only brought an end to the bloodiest war in modern history, he also set the tone for peace and friendship between the u. S. And japan that continues 75 years later. Well now play a video of general mcarthurs remarks from the surrender ceremony. I encourage you to listen carefully to his chosen words and imagine the significance of their meeting when they were delivered just days after the fighting had ended. It is my ernest hope, and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past. A world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish of freedom and justice. As Supreme Commander for the allied powers, i announce it my firm purpose in the tradition of the countries i represent to proceed in the discharge of my responsibilities with justice and tolerance while taking all necessary dispositions to ensure that the terms of surrender are fully, promptly and faithfully complied with. Let us pray that peace in our start to the world and that god will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed. These proceedings are closed. With those four powerful words, the deadliest war came to an end. At the conclusion of the ceremony, over 900 fighters and bombers that had been in the air over tokyo bay dropped down and flew over the missouri. Fighting for peace came with heavy sacrifices by all. But we would like to offer our eternal gratitude to the memory of all those Service Members who fought so bravely, often to their death , to make the freedoms we enjoy today possible. Today was once used as an instrument of war, but instead it has evolved into an altar of peace and reconciliation. Id like to call upon steve kolong, chairman of the board of directors of the Missouri Memorial Association and cochair to say a few warremark and introduce our first guest speaker. For 27 years, steve served in the navy and navy reserve. One of his career highlights was to serve aboard u. S. S. Condroit. Steve now serves as president of Hunt Development group llcs hawaii division. Please welcome steve kalong. [ applause ] thank you, mike. The ship looks great. You should be very proud of your crew. Mr. Secretary, admiral davidson, governor riga, officers, distinguished visitors, and most importantly, our world war ii veterans, welcome and aloha. On behalf of the u. S. S. Missouri memorial association, it is an honor to welcome you as well as those joining us from all over the world to remember this momentous day in our nations history. But first, as chairman of this amazing organization, id like to take a moment to remember someone who is not here with us today but i know hes looking down on us. My good friend and mentor and predecessor tim gard served in this organization for 25 years and was our chairman since 2014. His passion for the missouri pushed us and encouraged us to ensure the mighty mo would be a memorial we could all be proud of. I know how badly tim wanted to be part of this ceremony, and it still saddens me that we lost him before that could happen. Tim, we miss you. I know youre here with us, though, in spirit. I cant tell you how proud i am of the job our missouri crew members have done to get this ship ready for today. Those who are here with us are witnessing it firsthand, and i hope those watching from their homes can get an idea of the remarkable condition of this historic vessel. Our crew members are committed to preserving this iconic battle sh battleship and sharing her place in our nations history. And what a story that is. 75 years ago today, this ship was witness to arguably the most important surrender in our worlds history. To our missouri staff and volunteers, well done on getting her ready for this special occasion. Were grateful for the dedication and commitment to sharing the u. S. S. Missouri story and her place in history. I know these six months have been trying on you, and i have to tell you that going forward, we will be sailing into some rough seas. But like the greatest generation before us, i know we will persevere, and someday soon well be welcoming visitors back to see this national treasure. Also to my 75th anniversary World War Ii Committee cochair joe long, as well as all the Committee Members watching and helping plan these events. Its been a very challenging environment. Thank you to all of you. To our world war ii veterans here and watching from afar, we once again remember and thank you for the sacrifices that you made. We will never forget, and we will always honor your service. So lets go ahead and hear from our distinguished guests who have joined us today. First up will be governor ega who will help reflect and remember on that day in tokyo and how it resonates for all of us. Both he and admiral davidson served as the 75th world war ii commemorating committee cochairs. I was honored to be serving with both of you. Governor riga is the eighth governor of the state of hawaii. Hes the first governor in okinawa ancestry. Hes also the son of a decorated veteran of the 442nd Regimented Combat Team who fought so her c heroically in world war ii. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me give a warm welcome to governor riga. Good morning. It is my honor to welcome everyone both here and across the nation and the world to the u. S. S. Missouri. On this day, on this deck 75 years ago, we marked the end in the Pacific Theater of a great global war that touched every man, woman and child of my parents generation. The war took the lives of so many on all sides, leaving a vacuum in the roles of those who could have been, who should have been our scientists, teachers, community leaders, farmers and shopkeepers. They should have been our classmates, our neighbors and our coworkers. They were our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, and our fathers and mothers. Victory came at a high price paid by those who suffered and died on the front lines as well as by those who endured hardship and uncertainty on the home front. It was won by an abiding belief in freedom and democracy and by the strength of character, courage and resilience that defied all odds. It was won by a generation defined as the greatest, not only by what they achieved in war, but by the peace and prosperity they created after it. Their legacy is the hope and the world order they passed on to all of us. Like hawaiis late senator d dan inoi, my own father who served in the Regimented Combat Team, they returned home to fulfill the promise of citizenship and contribute to a life where all things are possible for everyone. Like you, i stand on the shoulders of all of these men and women and can stake my claim to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because of their actions. After the war, they transformed their fight against tyranny into a life based on the Democratic Values and purpose, showing us that democracy must not only be defended at all costs, but lived along all avenues by you and me doing what we do each and every day. That is vigilance. That is resilience. That is courage. We look at history because it tells us where weve been. We study history because it teaches us how to discover where we want to go. I dont have to tell you that this remembrance has been dramatically scaled back from original plans because of the ongoing pandemic. And perhaps thats for the best. In moments like these, we tend to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance, and sometimes forget the real reason why we gather all of these veterans. Moreover, we tend to toss the label hero around freely these days, but these veterans truly exemplify the strictest definition of heroic. Their actions stand up to the r rigid tests of the heroic, and their lives set an example for all of us to follow. Some compare fighting a pandemic akin to fighting a global war. That may or may not be an accurate comparison. What i do know is that we cannot go wrong in following their example in the face of any adversity. Their courage under fire, strength of character, resilience over time provides a clear road map for us to follow in all that we do, whether we are fighting social injustice or a virus. And so there remains only one thing left for us to say to them. Thank you. Thank you. [ applause ] and we bravely grasp the depth of those words and the immensity of our depth. God bless you all. Thank you and aloha. [ applause ] thank you, governor ige. Id also like to recognize don amono ige, his wife who is with us today. Mrs. Ige . General mark milley, the 27th chairman of the joint chiefs of staff would like to take this opportunity to thank our world war ii veterans for their bravery and sacrifice and service to our nation. We remain indebted to the veterans who demonstrated the selfless action of the greatest generation who not only served to protect and defend our nation but were part of the global force to defend peace. Ladies and gentlemen, general mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. The greatest generation that took up arms to defend freedom against tyranny in the Second World War fought for something. They fought for a better peace. And from the ashes of the destruction and bloodshed of that war, that terrible war, they established a rulesbased global order rooted in political and economic liberty that has stood for over seven decades. My father and mother were part of that generation. My father trained here in hawaii on maui, and from here made the assault landings at kogolene, saipan and iwojima in the fourth division, while my mother served at a Navy Hospital in seattle, taking care of the wounded coming back. The lessons i have taken from my parents example has shaped my view and role and place in the world. My parents instilled in me a sense of service, an understanding of how lucky i am to be an american, how lucky i was to grow up in a country that we have freedoms of speech, press, religion and all the other rights that we enjoy on a daily basis. Today those with firsthand knowledge of world war ii are becoming fewer and fewer. And so we all must never forget the horrific cost of great power war and the sacrifices of those that went before us. As the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on behalf of every soldier, sailor, air marine and coast guardsmen, we all extend our thanks to the world war ii veterans for granting us the gift of freedom. We renew our commitment to p appreciate the values you worked so hard to preserve. Were honored to have one of our blue ribbon leader cochairs with us today, admiral philip davidson, pacific command, americas oldest and Largest Military combatant command. As a surface air force officer, admiral davidson has been in destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. He is responsible for all u. S. Military activities in the indopacific covering 40 nations, 14 time zones and over a fifth of the worlds population. Ladies and gentlemen, admiral phil davidson. [ applause ] aloha and good morning. I would like to begin by thanking all members of the 75th World War Ii Commemoration Committee for safely bringing these phenomenal events together in this environment. We are honored today to have the secretary of defense here with us to help commemorate the occasion as well as his wife leah. Thank you, mr. Secretary. Were grateful that you both could be here today. I would like to thank general milley for joining us virtually and his moving remarks. And, of course, thank you, governor ige, for your inspiring words. They underscore the significance of the state of hawaiis magnificent relationship with our armed forces. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of world war ii and our allied victory in the pacific, we remain forever indebted to our world war ii veterans. They helped defend the world from tyranny. We are deeply honored that those from hawaii, some of those very same veterans could join us today in person with many more joining us virtually around the globe. And, indeed, the rest of them are here with us in spirit on the historic deck of the u. S. S. Missouri. This battleship, both symbol of strength and symbol of peace owes much of its legacy to the 33rd president of the United States, harry s. Truman. It was hardly a surprise when president truman selected the u. S. S. Missouri as the formal site to officially end the war. After all, the proud missouri natives only child margaret served as this ships sponsor. And president truman spoke at this ships christening and also attended her commissioning. One can only imagine how president truman hoped the pride and joy of his home state would live on in the hearts and minds of americans for years to come. And i mention this for two important reasons. First, to highlight that the mighty mo, this iconic American Museum today, is the epitome of what propelled us to democracy. Our thanks to the men and women who worked in shipyards across the country. Of course, the second reason is to provide a clear reminder of how the history of september 2nd, 1945 lives on. September 2nd is the day the United States and our allies turned tragedy into triumph, violence into victory, fighting into freedom, loss into liberty and peril into peace. A day that marks the very beginning of the rulesbased International Order, an order responsible for some 75 years of peace, prosperity and security that helped not only to liberate hundreds of millions, but to lift billions out of poverty and all to a level of prosperity previously unseen in human history. Certainly the postwar period of Regional Peace and stability must not be taken for granted. Today the world faces great challenges. You heard governor ige talk about the coronavirus pandemic. But as well, an emboldened communist party in china is one to change the world where Chinese National power is more important than international law. Beijing is using a whole Party Approach to coerce, corrupt and contest the rulesbased International Order. Today as we address the strategic threat of china and other security challenges throughout the indopacific region, the memory of our greatest nation lives on. It lives on in our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, our marines and coast guardsmen everywhere. Today we remember our world war ii heroes, and we pay tribute to them by continuing to defend the values of a free and open indopacific, to keep america, our allies and our partners, free from tyranny and defend our shared values, our inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. May god bless all the veterans of world war ii, the men and women of the armed forces, the great state of hawaii and, indeed, may god bless the United States of america. Thank you. [ applause ] now, as i mentioned before, we are joined today by the secretary of defense, dr. Mark esper. Secretary esper is a graduate of the United States military academy at westpoint, Harvard University and yale university. From the moment he assumed office in july 2019, mr. Esper has been monumental in our defense strategy. He joins us today in the midst of his travels throughout the region to engage with allies and partners, observe highend military exercises, meet with our Service Members, and, of course, today to honor our veterans. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce our keynote speaker, the 27th secretary of defense, the honorable dr. Mark esper. [ applause ] aloha, everyone. Aloha. Thank you for joining us on this special day. Thank you, admiral davidson, for that kind introduction. Thank you, general milley, for your words, and thank you, governor ige, for the warm welcome and hospitality. On behalf of president trump, thank you all for being here today. It is my great honor to be on the deck of this historic ship as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of world war ii and commemorate and reflect on the sacrifices and victories of our Service Members and allies who helped fight or and secure peace. I would like to extend a very special welcome to the members of the greatest nation here with us this morning whose remarkable stories of courage and heroism are forever etched into our nations heart and history. It is because of your Selfless Service and your sacrifice that we live in peace and prosperity today. And it is your legacy that inspires us in our efforts to uphold the freedoms and values for which you so nobly fought. Thank you all very much. [ applause ] it is fitting that we are gathered here today on the u. S. S. Missouri where the conflict in the pacific came to an end on this day in 1945. This ship, which was built for war, has since been dedicated to peace and reconciliation. It now rests in the very harbor where more than 2400 americans paid the ultimate price nearly eight decades ago at the beginning of world war ii. This morning we pay tribute to all those we lost on that infamous date in 1941, and to the millions more who demonstrated our collective resolve and commitment to freedom in the years of war and hardship that followed. We remember heroes like floyd welch, an electricians mate who helped save the lives of more than 30 sailors trapped in the sinking u. S. S. Oklahoma. With pinpoint precision, he cut holes in the ships hull, freeing the sailors without igniting fuel cells. And we honor sailors like mesitemi. He assisted a wounding captain with an air force gun and bounded the onslaught of enemies. These men and those we lost in the attack on december 7 is the human tragedy, death in its name and the imperative of remaining ever vigilant. Throughout the war, our country answered the nations call with great courage and selflessness. Americans of all faiths, races and ethnicities, from all walks of life and vocation, rich to poor, and from all corners of the country, from cities to suburbs to farms. They left behind their loved ones, men and women alike, to sail across oceans and join allies in a desperate fight for liberty. From the deserts of tunisia to the islands of midway and from the beaches of normandy to the hills of iwojima, these intrepid patriots stood arm in arm and shoulder to shoulder with our allies, determined to achieve total victory no matter how long it took. Meanwhile, on the home front, millions of other americans served as Civil Defense volunteers, learning essential skills such as first aid, air defense and firefighting. Many more bought war bonds, rationed consumer goods and recycled scarce materials. Entrepreneurs, innovators and production workers transformed Assembly Lines in industrial plants into the arsenal of democracy and through military induction kept pace with the needs of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen. And most importantly, though often separated by great distances and different challenges, the American People forged an unbreakable commitment to the cause of liberty, one that lives on to this day. World war ii was a reflection point for the history of our great nation and for humanity at large. The global fight against tiryray and oppression cost 70 million lives. Virtually no household was left untouched by the scale or scope of its wanton destruction. The human toll of the deadliest conflict in history led to the creation of a new world out of the rubble of the old. Wh that began when Imperial Japan surrendered on this ship 75 years ago. The war fundamentally altered the global balance of power and reshaped the International Order into one led by likeminded nations grounded in common purpose and shared values that prepared them well for a decadeslong struggle against soviet communism that would soon follow. In the aftermath of world war ii, the United States assumed a mantle and the responsibility of leadership, recognizing that the atlantic and Pacific Oceans would no longer protect us from conflicts started abroad, from idealogies with hedgemonic ambitions or from governments with maligned intentions. It was americas time to lead, and we did so, guided by our founding principles and core values. The United States rose to the challenge. We built relationships with likeminded nations based on reciprocal trade, not predatory economics. Based on respect for the sovereignty of all countries, not a strategy of might makes right. Based on a commitment to always honoring our international obligations, not just when they served our interests. And most importantly, based on our enduring values and beliefs. The result was todays International Rulesbased order that has provided security, prosperity and stability for billions of people all over the world for more than a half century. It set new standards and protocols when it came to matters of trade and diplomacy. It raised the bar when it comes to human rights and individual freedoms, and it created new expectations regarding the use of force and the way countries should treat one another. Today in the face of new challenges to this free and open order, we are working to build an even broader coalition of partners, one that includes both longtime friends and former adversaries, to protect the hardfought gains of generations past and present, especially in the pacific. We share an important goal, defending the sacred principles that benefit us all. Democracy, liberty, sovereignty, human rights, mutual respect, and the rule of law. To do so, we continue to forge new partnerships and strengthen our existing ones. From our alliances with japan, south korea and australia, to our long collaboration with asean countries, india, new zealand and the Pacific Island countries. Growing, deepening and unifying, this network must remain central to our collective strategy to ensure peace and prosperity for another 75 years and beyond. We welcome every nation, especially those that have benefited most from todays International System to join us in this effort. For decades the United States and our partners have based our efforts on the belief that todays free and open order, however imperfect, is worth fighting for. While the system has largely remained intact, we cannot take it for granted or leave its future up to chance. That is why, together, were committed to improving it and remain ready to defend it. Much like the greatest generation did when history called and fate challenged. 75 years ago today, the Great American naval hero, admiral chester nimitz, sent a message to the Pacific Fleet regarding the end of the war. He reflected on the heavy cost of victory and our solemn obligation to the fallen, which was, in his words, quote, the obligation to ensure that their sacrifice will help to make this a better and safer world in which to live. Our work today continues in the spirit as spirit. As we look to the path ahead, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and recommit ourselves to defending todays International Rules and norms so that the road is safer and is better for generations yet to come. This means embracing the importance of what president Ronald Reagan called peace through restraint, and building a military, an alliance structure, to match that imperative. The United States commitment to the world today is the same one we made to the freeloving people of the world in 1941, that we will remain ready to fight any foe and defend any friend. And that we will safeguard our values and all that we hold dear at every turn in every place. We will not back down and we will not yield. Freedom is far too precious to do otherwise, and the sacrifice of those who came before us is far too great. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for commemorating this historic anniversary with us today. May god bless the members of the greatest generation and all of our veterans, Service Members and allies across the globe. And may god bless the United States of america. Thank you. [ applause ] thank you, secretary esper, for today. Id also like to acknowledge his wife leah who is joining us this morning. And thank you, admiral davidson. Wed also like to acknowledge your wife tracy who is also with us today. There is actually a third reason why the davidsons are so fond of this ship. Thats because theyre both from st. Louis, missouri. As such, they love this ship. On an early sunday morning on september 2nd, 1945, aboard the new 45,000ton battleship and before the allied nations, japan signed an agreement that formalized the end of hostilities in world war ii. We have placed wreaths on the deck of the u. S. S. Missouri as a sign of respect and tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in world war ii. Australia, canada, france, federal germany, japan, myanmar, new zealand, the philippines, portugal, russia, singapore, south korea, United Kingdom and the United States of america. Offering flowers is a ritual that occurs around the world symbolizing the beauty and brevity of life. As we honor the past, let us remember that what defines our relationships with our allies and partners is a deeprooted mutual trust, friendship, support and cooperation. It was our collective commitment and sacrifice during world war ii that established the foundations of the free and open indopacific that benefits all nations today. As we look to secure our future, let us refrain reaffirm our commitment to maintain a peaceful and prosperous world. We now wish to remember all those Service Members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. And to the freedoms that all of us enjoy. Id like to ask all of you who are able to please stand for this portion of the program as we pay tribute to all fallen Service Members. First with a moment of silence followed by a rifle salute. Order thank you. Please be seated. As our ceremony draws to a close, we thank all of you for joining us this morning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of world war ii. Thank you to our guest speakers. And a special thanks to our 75th world war ii commemoration sponsors including presenting sponsor the bob hope legacy as part of the bob and doloris Hope Foundation who made the vision and commitment of this ceremony possible. It gives me great pleasure to share a welcoming message from linda hope of the bob hope legacy representing the bob and deloris Hope Foundation. Their generous support ensures that the legacy of all veterans continues to inspire and motivate our children. Those who are destined to lead our future. Wrorld war ii was a pivota p moment. Millions rose to its defense. They bought in combat in youre republican, north africa and pacific, helped build the arsenal of democracy and our factory and raised the spirits of our troops as my dad bob hope and many of his fellow entertainers did. Everyone played a role in achieving victory and establishing enduring peace. Bob hope with a small band of performers traveled to bases throughout the u. S. And around the globe to entertain our Service Members, visiting hospitals and installations in theaters of war in europe and the south pacific. Travel to those distant locations was gluliruels and conditions were often dangerous. Yet those were the shows most near and dear to bobs heart and the hearts of hundreds of thousands of troops who never forgot the taste of home and hope he brought them. As we commemorate 75 years since the end of world war ii, we salute or Service Members and the Everyday Americans who contributed to the war effort for their heroic actions. Their patriotism still inspires us and will continue to inspire americans forever. We promise to carry their stories forward instilling in you our future leaders a new you appreciation for the sacrifices made by the entire generation that truly defined the spirit of america. Most of all wed like to thank all of our veterans as well as the men and women who are a currently serving in the armed forces for displaying courage and commitment to duty at all times. Our nation honors you and your continued perseverance to protect our freedoms. Here at the battleship missouri memorial, we always stand with you and remain firmly dedicated to upholding the values confirmed on this day 75 years ago. Please stand for the benediction by can captain jim edwards. Let us pray. Almighty god, we have commemorated this morning the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on this historic battleship. We have remembered those who served our country with distinction during years of hardfought battles at sea, under the sea, on land, and in remembered too those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, not only for their country, but the friends fighting at their side and for the freedoms that we still hold most dear. We thank you, god, for the inspiration of those who went before us, may we leave this place with a greater appreciation of the examples set for us by the veterans who fought so value yeniantly. We also thank you for peace, a peace that we continually seek to plea serve so as we leave this site of honor, grant us now your peace and your blessing in your holy name we pray, amen. Thank you, captain edwards. Please be seated. It gives me great pleasure to introduce ed hawkins on behalf honolulu. We will now see fireworks that were launched last night. It is from a sister city of honolulu. It was devastated by american bombers in the waning days of world war ii and these fireworks are to underscore peace and reconciliation between japan and the United States since the ended world war ii. Three white chris isnt that mum will be launched. First in moon honor of the grea generation, those who served who wrought peace broit peace to th world. Second, in honor of all those who gave their last if you would measu full measure of service, who gave their lives to secure the peace that win joy today. You wo full measure of service, who gave their lives to secure the peace that win joy today. Third, hope for continued peace in the world and for the future for our children and our childrens children so that they may enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom. Thank you for joining us. If i could ask if you could all wait for our world war ii veterans to exit first and then proceed after them. Ladies and gentlemen, these proceedings are closed. [ applause. [ ] sxwla you. Youre watching American History tv. Every weekend explore our nations past, cspan3, created by americas Cable Television p brought to you today by your television provider. The nazis sur rendered on may 8, 1945. The date is known as ve day or victory in europe day. Up next, on American History tv, a conversation with rick atkinson, author of the guns at last light, the war in western europe, 1944, to 1945
comparemela.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.