Wilmington honors WW2 heroes on 80th anniversary of VJ Day
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of people gathered at the Hannah Block Historic USO building in downtown Wilmington Thursday evening to commemorate an important anniversary in world history.
Friday is the 80th anniversary of VJ or Victory over Japan Day, when Hirohito, the then emperor of Japan, gave a radio broadcast announcing his nation’s surrender.
11 WW2 veterans attended the ceremony at the USO Building, with some of them having enlisted at the age of 16 or younger.
One even enlisted when he was just 13 years old.
Their services ranged from being a part of the Pacific Island-hopping campaign to being in Japan as part of the post-war occupation.
The latter group included Army veteran Harvey Knowles.
“We don’t think of it that way, we think of doing a job, at least that’s the way I think about it,” Knowles said. “And to me, it was a job and something that I felt like I was doing right for my country. I’ve always loved my country.”
Local officials, including Congressman David Rouzer and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, spoke during the ceremony.
Students from several Wilmington area schools introduced each veteran, speaking about their services, something Rouzer said was great to see.
“I thought that was really important because that helps to, that helps to show that there is a connection, even though there’s a huge age difference,” Rouzer said. “It’s really important for our younger generations to understand the sacrifice that was made to preserve our freedoms.”
The ceremony also featured a trip down memory lane, with performances of several popular songs and dances from the 40s.
As each year passes, fewer and fewer WW2 vets remain to share their stories, which event organizer Rona Simmons said is why it’s important to thank them as often as possible.
“I think you celebrate the moment and with those who are here,” Simmons said. “I consider them national treasures and everyone I meet, I try to get to know a little bit more about them. I encourage people when they encounter a veteran to let them know that they thank them for their service and beyond.”
Additional celebrations of VJ Day are also often held on September 2nd, when Japan signed the document agreeing to it’s surrender, which took place on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
