Under the 16-inch center barrel of the USS Missouri’s gun turret that was present in Tokyo Harbor on September 2 1945, FMHA hosted a ceremony on September 2nd to salute the nearly 800 Delaware service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War II. Starting in 2018, 100 names were read and saluted with the ringing of a chime. 100 additional names were read this year making 200 names that have been read in total. Another 100 names will be read in 2020.

2019 VJ Day List of Names

Prior to the tribute to those who died during World War II, Dr. Gary Wray gave a short talk about the surrender ceremony that took place in 1945. In his talk, Dr. Wray reminded those attending the ceremony that the major impact of the ceremony was not the signing of the surrender documents nor the speech given by General Douglas MacArthur onboard the Missouri, but rather the 7-hour flyover of Tokyo by every available US aircraft located on ships in or near Tokyo Harbor. A beautiful photo of this flyover can be seen in the Fort Miles Museum Art Gallery.

Following Dr. Wray’s talk, FMHA Bunker Buster Will Short commenced the reading of the names of the 100 Delaware service men and women by FMHA Board members and volunteers. Each name read was followed with a chime salute.

For a comprehensive look at the morning’s events, read this wonderful article written by the Cape Gazette’s Ron MacArthur.

The 2020 Salute to VJ Day Event will be held on Wednesday, September 2nd.  Event details will be announced during the first half of 2020.

Photos of the event, including photos of the Color Guard from American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro as well as sketching artists Steve Burke and Teresa Rodriquez, taken by Coastal Camera Club and FMHA Bunker Buster Pat Bragdon are below.