Welcome to the battles of memorial here at historic pearl harbor. It is 9 02 am, the moment 75 years ago when the ceremony began on the ship. My name is michael carr, im the president and chief executive officer of the uss missouri memorial organization. It is an honor to serve in that capacity and to be your mc for todays ceremony as we commemorate a huge milestone, the 75th anniversary of one of the most significant events in history the ending of world war ii. First and foremost, i have the honor of welcoming our special guests, world war ii veterans who are with us here today. I will name them individually and ask that you stand if you are able as your name its called and remain standing. Please hold your applause until the end so that we honor them collectively for their service, their courage, and for their sacrifice. Victor area, omsk are, its all called iran, walter chi, jack detour, paul newman, when bill newman, theodore richardson, author shaq, lumbered wise, and joseph young. Laden gentleman, or whatever to veterans applause its an honor to have you in our company today. The following world war ii veterans called hawaii home, but were unable to join us in person for todays ceremony. Id like to take a moment to recognize them by name. They are julio ramon, arthur ching, raymond ching, rodrigo diaz, and william long. Next, i want to recognize our world war ii veterans who made plans to travel from the mainland and join us here today, including on the battleship memorial, including 14 veterans who witnessed the ceremony on september 2nd, 1945. In the end, these heroes were unable to travel due to concerns for their health as a result of the covid19 virus. We are very saddened to have to make that call, but it was done for the sake of their health. We are honored to have many other dignitaries joining us this morning that i would like to recognize at this time. Please hold your applause until all parties have been mentioned. Governor david egan who is offering todays remarks for todays ceremony in commemoration an honor. Our distinguished guest speaker, admiral phil davidson, commander of the uss pacific command. And delivering the keynote address for todays ceremony is secretary mark esper, the u. S. Secretary of defense. Please recognize them. But applause i would like to take a message from senators Bob Elizabeth dole, honourary cochair persons of the National Commemoration of the end of world war ii. This is their message. When we were invited to cochair todays commemoration surround about the Sacred Waters of pearl harbor, we knew that only the most extraordinary circumstances bookkeepers from joining you in person. Like everyone, we never imagined such circumstances will come to pass. Please know our hearts are with you this morning, and despite the distance, we are honored to cochair this momentous occasion alongside our dear friend linda. As a combat wounded soldier, youngest sister of anybody must survivor, and two proud advocates for our veterans, their families and their caregivers, we know well the devastation and tragedy of war. At the same time we have seen war someone the greatest qualities which human are capable, coverage beyond measure, loyalty beyond words, sacrifice, ingenuity and endurance beyond imagining. The attack on this harbor echoed across the ocean to the mainland, ringing from coast to coast as a great call to action. When that call was heard, the entire nation responded. Perhaps no generation since our founders better understood that if they attempted to meet the moment while divided, they would not succeed. If they allowed the burden of the war to be shoulder by a precious few, they could not win. And if they did not find a path to victory, the future of our nation and our freedom itself my parish from the earth. The world war ii generation eliminated one of the greatest threats to peace in the world that they have ever known, yet incredibly, that was not all the gave to our nation. Those americans showed future generations the sacrifice that we must sometimes make to preserve and protect freedom they demonstrated the insurmountable odds when we act as one. Most importantly, they prove that even a moment is arcade by despair, there is tremendous hope. For unity, through selflessness, america can always find a way. May god bless the souls who lost their lives in world war ii, and the Service Members who restored the world peace, and make off lever bless the United States of america. Bob and elizabeth dole. applause next, please join me in welcoming the cochairs of the 75th world war ii committee, general daryl long and catherine cologne and other members of the committee, please stand. We began todays commemoration ceremony at 9 02 am, which was the time when the surrender ceremony began to bring an end to the most destructive war in world war ii history. On september 2nd, 1945, it was a cloudy and the jury morning in tokyo bay, perfect weather for such a somber ceremony. More than 250 allied war ships had circled the missouri with over 900 fighters and bombers in the air, representing ten nations whose forces fought in the war. Top military leaders from the allied forces and Imperial Japan gathered aboard this magnificent battleship. Uss missouri crew members were jammed together on the tax on all levels, and atop the gun turrets. Everyone wanted to witness history being made. The world was listening and watching as well, as dozens of news outlets and journalists who recorded the ceremony and captured each moment for future generations to remember for all time. Now, if you are able, please rise for the parading of the colors and remain standing for the performance of our National Anthem. Colors will be administered by the u. S. Indopacific command on our guard. Our National Anthem will be performed by emily kerr shaw, as well with music by the United StatesPacific Fleet band. And the pacific then signed by julius amina. Todays also celebrated day in hawaiis history. On this day, september 2nd, 1838 she was born. The last and only queen recognition of the last sovereign monarch of the hawaiian kingdom. Color guard, berate the colors. Color guard ready, left. Forward. March. While imprisoned. She asked for the lords protection, mercy, and loving kindness. And forgiveness of those who wronged her. Peace will be our wish now and forever more. Amen. music music music please be seated. 75 years ago, the japanese delegation had no idea what to expect upon boarding the u. S. Missouri, to sign a formal documents to agree to japans Unconditional Surrender to the allied forces. For nearly four years, the war in the pacific had raised as a series of epic ferocious battles on land, at sea, and in the air. United states and japan were fueled by a deep hatred for each other. The japanese delegation stood across from general Douglas Macarthur as he signed the surrender. The following countries, signed in this order. Fleet add romo for the United States, general chang for china, admiral fraser for the united kingdom. General quds ma for the soviet union, general search thomas for australia, colonel lance moore for canada. The general from from france. Lieutenant admiral for the neverlands, and Erin Marshall leonard for new zealand. The ceremony was not one of vengeance and hatred. The japanese delegation heard words advocating for lasting peace would plant the seeds that would grow stronger with each generation. With the rest of the world listening intently, General Macarthur set the tone for the peace and friendship between the u. S. And japan that continues 75 years later. We will now play video of General Macarthurs remarks. I encourage you to listen carefully to his chosen words, and imagine the significance of the meaning when they were delivered days after the fighting had ended. It is my earnest hope in the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion, a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past. A world founded upon understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance, and justice. As supreme commander, i announce that my firm purpose, in the tradition of the countries i represent, proceed in the discharge of my responsibilities, with justice and tolerance, while taking all necessary dispositions to ensure that the terms of surrender are fully, promptly, and faithfully complied with. Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that god will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed. These proceedings are closed. With those four powerful words, the deadliest war came to an end. At the conclusion of the ceremony over 900 fighters and bombers that had been in the air over tokyo bay dropped down and flew over the missouri. Fighting for peace came with heavy sacrifices for all. We would like to offer eternal gratitude for the memory of those who fought bravely, often to their death, to make the freedoms we enjoy today possible. It hasnt evolved into an alter of peace and reconciliation. I would like to call upon steve, chairman of the board of directors of the uss Memorial Association and cochair of the 75th Commemoration Committee to say a few remarks and introduce our first guest speaker. In 2006, steve retired as a captain after 26 years and one of his career highlights include serving aboard the uss during Operation Desert Storm as the operation officers escorted uss missouri and combat operations in support of the ground war and witnessed the mighty battleships guns firing. Steve now serves as president of the hawaii division. Please welcome steve. [applause] thank you. The ship looks great. You should be proud of your crew. Mr. Secretary, admiral davidson, governor, flag and general officers, distinguished visitors, and, most importantly, our world war ii veterans. Welcome and aloha. On behalf of the Memorial Association, it is an honor to welcome you as well as those joining us from all over the world, to remember this momentous day in our nations history. As chairman of this amazing organization, i would like to take a moment to remember someone who is not here with us today, but i know he is looking down on us. My good friend and mentor, and predecessor, tim guard, served on this organization for 25 years and was our chairman since 2014. His passion for the missouri pushed us and encouraged us to ensure this would be a memorial we would all be proud of. I know how badly tim wanted to be a part of this ceremony and it still saddens me that we lost him before it could happen. We miss you. I know you are here with us in spirit. I cannot tell you how proud i am of the job our crewmembers have done to get this ship ready for today. Those of you who are here with us are witnessing it firsthand and i hope those watching from their homes can get an idea of the remarkable condition of this historic vessel. Our crewmembers are committed to preserving this iconic battleship and sharing her story in place in our nations history. What a story it is. 75 years ago today, this ship was witness to arguably the most important surrender in our worlds history. To our missouri staff and volunteers, well done on getting her ready for this special occasion. We are grateful for dedication and commitment for sharing the story and her place in history. I know these six months have been trying on you. Going forward, we will sail into some rough seas. But like the greatest generation before us, we will persevere. And some day soon, we will be welcoming visitors back to see this national treasure. Also, to my 75th anniversary world war ii committed mauritian cochair, as well for all of our Committee Members here and watching, for the hard work of planning these events. It has been very challenging environment, bravo to all of you. Too i would like to veterans and today watching from afar, we want to remember and thank you for the sacrifices that you made. We will never forget, and we will always honor your service. So lets go ahead and hear from our distinguished guests, first up well be the governor to help reflect and remember on that day and tokyo and how it resonates for all of us. Well see a natural in davidson served as the 75th world war ii Commemoration Committee cochairs, that was honored to be serving with both of you. Governor is the eighth governor of the state of hawaii, and hes the first governor of okinawa ancestry. Hes also the son of a decorated veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team that fought so heroically in world war ii. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me give a world warm welcome to governor david egan. Good morning. It is my honor to welcome everyone both here and across the nation and the world to the uss missouri. On this day, on this deck, 75 years ago, we marked the end in the Pacific Theater of a great global war that touched every man, woman and child of my parents generation. The war took the lives of so many, on all sides, leaving a vacuum in the rose of those who should have been our scientists, teachers, community leaders, farmers and shopkeepers. They should have been our classmates, our neighbors and our coworkers. They were our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, and our fathers and mothers. Victory came at a high price, paid by those who suffered and died on the front lines, as well as by those who endured hardship and uncertainty on the home front. It was won by an abiding belief in freedom and democracy, and by the strength of character, courage and resilience that defied all odds. It was won by a generation defined as the greatest, not only by what they achieved in war, but by the peace and prosperity that they created after it. Their legacy is the hope and world order they passed on to all of us. Like hawaiis late senator, my own father who served in the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, theyve returned home to build the promise of citizenship and contribute to a life where all things are possible for everyone. Like you, i stand on the shoulders of all of these men and women, and can state my claim to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because of their actions. After the war, they transformed their fight against tyranny, and into a life based on the Democratic Values and purposes, showing us that democracy must not only be defended at all costs, but lived along all avenues by you and me doing what we do each and every day. That is vigilance, that is resilience. That is courage. We look at history because it tells us where we have been. We study history because it teaches us how to discover where we want to go. I dont have to tell you that this remembrance has been dramatically scaled back from original plans, because of the ongoing pandemic. And perhaps, that is for the best. In moments like these, we tend to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance, and sometimes we forget the real reason why we gather all of these veterans. Moreover, we tend to toss a label hero freely these days, but these veterans truly exemplify the strictest definition of heroic. Their actions stand up to the rigor, richard test of the heroic, and their lives set an example for all of us to follow. Some compare fighting a pandemic akin to fighting a global war, that may or may not be an accurate comparison. What i do know is that we cannot go wrong in following their example in the face of any diversity. There are courage under fire, strength of character, resilience overtime provides a clear roadmap for us to follow in all that we do, whether we are fighting social injustice or a virus, and so there remains only one thing left for us to say to them. Thank you. Thank you. And we pray they grass the depth of those words, and the intensity of our depth. God bless you all. Thank you and aloha. Thank you, governor. At also like to recognize the governors wife was with us today. General mark a milley, the 20th chairman would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute and to thank our world war ii veterans for their bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation. We remain indebted to the veterans who serve and demonstrate the selfless action of the greatest generation, to not only serve and protect and defend our nation, but were part of the global force of peace. Ladies and gentlemen, general mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. The greatest generation took up arms to defend freedom against tyranny in the Second World War, thought for something. Fought for a better piece. From the ashes, the destruction in bloodshed of that war. That terrible war. And established a global order. Rooted and political and economic liberty. And stood for over seven decades. My father and mother were part of that. My father trained here in hawaii, and from here made the assault landing, anybody. My mother served at a Navy Hospital in seattle, taking care of the wounded, coming back from the pacific. I often reflect on my Parents Services to this nation. The lessons i take from their example and shape my views and place in the world. My parents instilled in me a sense of service, and understanding of how lucky am to be an american. How lucky i was to grow up in a country where we have freedom of speech, press, religion, and all the other rights that are enjoyed on a daily basis. Today, those with firsthand knowledge of world war ii are becoming fewer and fewer. So, we almost never forget the horrific cost and the sacrifices of those that went before us. As the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on behalf of every soldier, sailor, marine and coast guard, more than 2. 3 million of us that wear the uniform today, we all extend our series thanks for granting us the gift of freedom. And we renew our commitment to serve the constitution and the values we fought so hard to preserve. We are honored to have one of our on a very blue leadership chairs with us today, admiral phillip davidson, commander of the pacific command, americas oldest and Largest Military combatant command. A Surface Warfare officer, admiral davidson has deployed across the globe in cruisers and air traffic characte