Events surrounding the 80th commemoration of the end of World War II brought together prominent individuals, veteran organizations and appreciative Americans over recent days at Pearl Harbor.
On the morning of Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the Instrument of Surrender was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and Chief of the Army General Staff Yoshijirō Umezu, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur and representatives of the Allied powers.
This formal, unconditional surrender of Japan during a prepared ceremony on the ship’s quarterdeck marked the end to a war that the U.S. had been directly engaged in since the Attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum hosted 80th anniversary events throughout Labor Day weekend. The festivities culminated with a separate, solemn ceremony aboard the USS Missouri (open to the public as a Pearl Harbor tourist attraction since 1999) at exactly 9:02 a.m. HST on Sept. 2, precisely 80 years to the minute from the concluding act of WWII.
History to Absorb, Appreciate
A visit to Pearl Harbor is an absolute must for every American.
To take in all the sights and to learn — or be reminded of — the history that led to more than 2,400 Americans losing their lives on that fateful Sunday morning in Hawaii (and 418,000-plus Americans who died during WWII) is an emotional, thought-provoking and truly patriot experience.
You can take a guided tour of the Battleship Missouri Memorial and see the spot where the Instrument of Surrender was signed; witness where a Japanese kamikaze struck the side of the Missouri during the Battle of Okinawa; and then go inside the ship to see how American sailors conducted their daily lives in tight quarters.
The nearby USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken vessel that serves as a war grave on the harbor floor, is the most prominent and somber tour site. It is believed 1,102 sailors and Marines remain entombed in the wreckage.
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is another educational stop on your visit. A ticket to tour the bowels of the USS Bowfin submarine is not advised for the claustrophobic.
No trip to Pearl Harbor is complete without a stop at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and taking the Top of the Tower tour. After seeing the countless warplanes on display, learning their unique stories and meandering through famous Hangar 79 (where bullet holes are still seen in the doors), guests purchasing a timed ticket to go to the top of the Ford Island Control Tower are in for a special treat.
This is where a brilliant bird’s-eye view of the entire harbor awaits, along with a tour guide ready to share heroic and little-known stories about the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. There is perspective to be gained from learning that in the hours and minutes before the attack, a string of assumptions, uncertainties, radar limitations and communication shortcomings prevented those in Pearl Harbor from having a heads-up that an attack was imminent.
U-Haul Answers the Call
Upon entering the lobby hallways of the Ford Island Control Tower, guests will find signage, plaques, photos and stories related to an iconic American business that is also celebrating its 80th anniversary.
U-Haul was founded in 1945 by a WWII Navy veteran and his wife in the Pacific Northwest. Forming ties to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum was a natural fit given the eight-decade commitment of U-Haul to honoring and hiring veterans. Some of the photos showcased in the tower halls are of U-Haul Team Members, local dealers and affiliates who served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, celebrating their legacy and love of country.
The Shoen Family of U-Haul, which founded and continues to run the company, made a personal donation for a new elevator to support the museum and provide guests with the opportunity to ascend 15 stories to the observation deck of the 168-foot-tall tower for a 360-degree panorama. It’s quite amazing. It makes the reimagining of the surreal scenes that occurred possible.
One cannot visit Pearl Habor without developing a greater love and more profound respect for our veterans, active military members and American history. This is one of the many reasons why U-Haul supports it, and the Shoen Family made such a remarkable gesture.
These stories must be told, learned from, held sacred, and shared with future generations. Plan your visit to Pearl Harbor or make a donation at pearlharboraviationmuseum.org. Thank you for supporting U-Haul, our veterans, and historic WWII sites like Pearl Harbor.
