A list of 52 World War II veterans in attendance was read off with a little information about each one, especially with which branch of service they were in. Quite a few were Coast Guard and many were only in the war in 1944 and 1945. the group who would be the youngest and hence in best shape to go to the event.
The famous "Kiss" statue on VJ Day based on the famous photo (one of only four in the U.S.) , was on display in from of the gazebo and we were told this would be the last time for it to be there (I'd also seen it last year) as it was going to permanent display in Branson, Missouri.
The band started the ceremony with "The Star-Spangled Banner" and later played the service hymns of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Then, they played "God Bless America."
Today's event was to honor those who fought the war on the homefront, especially those working in defense factories producing the weapons and supplies needed to win the war. This would include the famous "Rosie the Riveters" of which three were in attendance.
--GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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