To commemorate the Allied Forces Victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service will co-host a very special V-J Day Observance at the WWII Memorial on Friday, September 2nd at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will also celebrate the spirit of unity of the American people during this pivotal moment in our nation’s history and give recognition to all World War II veterans, especially those who fought in the Pacific Theater during the war, as well as all those who served on the home front. 

During the event, Retired U.S. Army Colonel James L. Riffe will offer personal remarks about his own service doing WWII. Riffe served in the Pacific Theater of Operations from October 1944 through the end of the war. In April 1945, he commanded a unit that took part in the invasion of Okinawa.

Friends’ chairman Josiah Bunting III and Gay Vietzke, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, will offer welcome remarks. The Military District of Washington will provide military support for the event.

As part of the ceremony, Colonel Riffe and a dozen other World War II veterans will place wreaths at the Freedom Wall in remembrance of the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during WWII.

If you are a World War II veteran, or know of one, who would like to participate in the V-J Day ceremony at the Memorial, please email me now!

We hope you’ll join us on September 2nd at the WWII Memorial!

Click here to RSVP NOW!

The V-J Day Observance at the National World War II Memorial is co-hosted by the
Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service.