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Fort Miles hosts VJ Day ceremony
Event takes place under the shadow of the gun barrel where surrender was signed
Under the shadow of a USS Missouri 16-inch gun barrel, the Fort Miles Historical Association hosts it annual Victory Over Japan ceremony near the entrance to the association’s museum. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
September 6, 2022
The historic significance of the location of the Fort Miles Historical Association’s annual Victory Over Japan ceremony on Sept. 2 cannot be understated.
The association commemorates the end of World War II under the shadow of a gun barrel from the USS Missouri battleship where the Japanese surrender ceremony took place on Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II. That same gun barrel can be seen in the historic photographs of the event that triggered spontaneous celebrations throughout the United States and Europe.
The association also takes time during the event to honor some of the nearly 800 Delawareans who died during the war. Volunteers read the name of 100 of the fallen heroes each year.
Wll Short, docent program manager and special events coordinator for the Fort Miles Historical Association, serves as emcee of the ceremony. He paid tribute for the late Gary Wray, who led the FMHA for 17 years and founded the event.
FMHA member Larry Boyer reads the statement made by Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri.
FMHA docent Ed Paterline provides little-known information about the causes and effects of World War II.
Nicholas Schimmel, right, and his brother Christian take turns ringing the ship’s bell in memory of Delawareans who were killed during World War II. The brothers are grandchildren of the late Gary Wray, the first FMHA president, who served for 17 years.
Lani Spahr, a U.S. Air Force veterans, plays “Amazing Grace” to end the ceremony at Fort Miles.
Tyler Dreiblatt, Fort Miles historical interpreter, stands at attention in a replica of the uniform worn by those stationed at Fort Miles during World War II. He also fired a salute in memory of the state’s fallen heroes during the war.
A large crowd gathers on the USS Missouri gun barrel display pad for the annual VJ Day ceremony.
Bob Wheatley is one of 10 FMHA members who read the names of Delaware’s fallen heroes from World War II.
The crowd attending this year’s ceremony was the largest so far in the event’s history.
With the USS Missouri gun barrel in the background, Air Force veteran Lani Spahr plays the bagpipes.
Chris Burkhart plays “Taps” outside the entrance to the Fort Miles Museum, which was open for tours following the ceremony.
The Rev. Carol Flett offers a closing prayer before the playing of “Amazing Grace.”
