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About 30 people gathered at the Veterans Memorial Plaza beside the Tyrrell County Courthouse on Sept. 2 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender that ended World War II.

The event was sponsored jointly by Scuppernong Post 182 of The American Legion and the Glynn T. Cahoon Post 10659 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Legion post commander Leroy Spivey and VFW post commander Dallas Simmons welcomed those present.

Spivey recounted major Second World War battles in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific.

Spivey recognized two local World War II veterans, Dan Davis and Bobby Mitchell, who were present. Shelton Ludford and Virginia Voliva, the county’s other two surviving WWII veterans, were unable to attend because of coronavirus restrictions.

Walter Davenport, American Legion post chaplain, prayed the invocation, and all in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ray McClees, American Legion post judge advocate, read the words General of the Army Douglas MacArthur spoke before and after the Japanese signing of the Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri in Toyko Bay on Sept. 2, 1945. He also read the general’s brief radio broadcast to the nation shortly after the signing ceremony.

VFW members Billie Ray Hill and Frank Hughes laid a wreath at the marker engraved with the names of the 17 Tyrrell County men who died during World War II, while Richard Edwards, Columbia High School band director, played Taps.

The Rev. C.L. Reynolds, a Korean War era veteran, prayed the benediction to close the program.