A Tribute to World War II Veterans

A TRIBUTE TO VETERANS ON A KEY ANNIVERSARY

Memorable Moments From 75th End of War Commemoration Events

By Admiral Alma Grocki, (Retired)

On September 2, 2020, the United States commemorated the end of World War II on the decks of the Battleship Missouri, where 75 years ago, the Instrument of Surrender was signed as the world watched.

This year, tens of millions of people around the world watched, socially distanced, as we honored the veterans of World War II-- their actions, sacrifices, and lives. We were originally expecting thousands to join us in person from around the world, including 65 American World War II veterans, some who were on ships or in the air above Tokyo Bay on that day. Instead, due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, we welcomed 12 local veterans to the Missouri. To a man, they arrived with their family members, walking slowly and proudly through the cordon of American flags and up to the fantail of the Battleship Missouri to their specially assigned seats, escorted by the four-star Component Commanders from each of the services. As the Legacy of Peace aerial parade World War II Warbirds zoomed by, memories flashed and words tumbled out, as they recalled these planes from their war, and were amazed the planes were flying that day to honor them. As the colors paraded, and the National Anthem played, these War heroes stood a little taller, a little straighter, and saluted a symbol of this country they had fought for, and so many of their fellow Americans had died for. As the warship, USS Michael Murphy rendered honors to these veterans with a huge American flag flying, and all hands topside saluting, there was a moment when the burden of protecting this country seemed to pass from the World War II veterans to this new generation of Americans. The Keynote Speaker, Secretary of Defense Esper reminded us, this was an important day to our country, to honor the service and the lives of these “Greatest Generation” World War II veterans.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the veterans retired to the ship’s Wardroom, while Secretary Esper met via video conference with the mainland veterans that had planned to travel to Hawaii for the ceremony, from the Captain’s cabin. They had congregated in six different sites on the mainland to be able to talk with Secretary Esper, relaying their thoughts and asking him questions. There were touching moments such as when one veteran who was so looking forward to coming to Hawaii relayed his daily exercise routine of standing and walking to prepare for the big moment on board the USS Missouri. To wrap up their meeting, Musician First Class Robert Wheeler, Jr., originally from San Diego, CA, and now living in Ohio, who had taken part in the original ceremony in 1945 on the Missouri providing entertainment as part of a small band requested by ADM Halsey, pulled out his clarinet, 75 years later, and played “God Bless America,” for the Secretary of Defense, for his World War II shipmates, and to honor his country.

The local veterans, Secretary Esper and the Component Commanders came together on the fantail for a catered box lunch of local food and to talk story. No more than 5 to a table, each veteran had an opportunity to meet the current leadership of our Pacific Armed Forces and other VIPs. MGEN Darryll Wong, USAF (ret), one of the co-chairmen of the Commemoration Committee, was impressed when World War II veteran Marine Corporal Ted Richardson, originally of Scranton, Pennsylvania, now living here in Honolulu, opened lunch at their table by reciting a blessing for the food in fluent Hawaiian. It was the perfect story of an east coast World War II veteran, now living in, and a part of the Hawaii Ohana, 75 years after the war ended, sharing a meal with those of the next generation that he and those of his generation fought and sacrificed for. These were the World War II veterans, whose service and sacrifices we remembered and honored on 2 September.