V-J Day, Veterans

96 year old Alphonso Coles (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

George Schuller, (in photo), age 90, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Schuller, a radioman 2nd class, served on the USS Ticonderoga in the Pacific from February 1945 until the end of the war. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

George Schuller, (in photo), age 90, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Schuller, a radioman 2nd class, served on the USS Ticonderoga in the Pacific from February 1945 until the end of the war. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Veterans of World War II, nonagenarians all, gathered at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Veterans of World War II, nonagenarians all, gathered at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Oscar Maddox, age 96, of Nacogdoches Texas (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. Maddox was accompanied by Sandy Lamparello (rear in photo). (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Oscar Maddox, age 96, of Nacogdoches Texas (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

John Diotte (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Oscar Maddox, age 96, of Nacogdoches Texas (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. Maddox was heloed by Sandy Lamparello (right in photo). (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Andrew Henry Abugelis (age 93) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Abugelis was assigned to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, where he served as a plane handler. He participated in the attacks on Marcus, Wake and Gilbert Islands as well as the attacks on the Marshall Islands,the Marianas, Palau, Truk, Woleai, Hollandia, and New Guinea. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Andrew Henry Abugelis (age 93) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Abugelis was assigned to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, where he served as a plane handler. He participated in the attacks on Marcus, Wake and Gilbert Islands as well as the attacks on the Marshall Islands,the Marianas, Palau, Truk, Woleai, Hollandia, and New Guinea. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Andrew Henry Abugelis (age 93) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Abugelis was assigned to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, where he served as a plane handler. He participated in the attacks on Marcus, Wake and Gilbert Islands as well as the attacks on the Marshall Islands,the Marianas, Palau, Truk, Woleai, Hollandia, and New Guinea. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

James Arriola of Nacogdoches, Texas, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Arriola as seaman first class helped deliver Marines to the beaches of Iwo Jima. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

James Arriola of Nacogdoches, Texas, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Arriola as seaman first class helped deliver Marines to the beaches of Iwo Jima. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

James Arriola of Nacogdoches, Texas, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Arriola as seaman first class helped deliver Marines to the beaches of Iwo Jima. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Carroll George, age 97, of Falls Church Va., joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. George served in Okinawa aboard the USCG Cutter Taney, which was being used as the command ship for Rear Adm. Calvin Cobb. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Veterans of World War II, nonagenarians all, gathered at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Veterans of World War II, nonagenarians all, gathered at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Duard Barnes (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Barnes served with Company D, 381st Infantry, 96th Division in Leyte and Okinawa. After his service in the Army, Barnes worked for the Department of the Interior for forty years. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Duard Barnes (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Barnes served with Company D, 381st Infantry, 96th Division in Leyte and Okinawa. After his service in the Army, Barnes worked for the Department of the Interior for forty years. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Alfred Procell (in photo) joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

James Arriola (standing in photo) of Nacogdoches, Texas, joined fellow World War II veterans at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. Arriola as seaman first class helped deliver Marines to the beaches of Iwo Jima. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet plays patriotic tunes at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Veterans of World War II, nonagenarians all, gathered at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Colonel James Riffe, U.S. Army Retired, delivered the keynote address at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. In 1945, Riffe was in the 27th Infantry Division, leading a platoon in the invasion of Okinawa. He spent 30 years in the Army, including time in Japan and Germany, retiring as a colonel. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Chaplain (CPT) Joe Polermo performed the invocation at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Chaplain (CPT) Joe Polermo performed the invocation at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Gay Vieztke, Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks, was a speaker at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Gay Vieztke, Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks, was a speaker at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Josiah Bunting III, Chairman, Friends of the National World War II Memorial, delivered welcome remarks at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

V-J Day, Veterans

Chaplain (CPT) Joe Polermo performed the invocation at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday September 2, 2016, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on V-J Day, the 71st anniversary of the end of that conflict. On Sept. 2, 1945, Imperial Japan formerly surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the battleship USS Missouri. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service. (Photo by Jeff Malet)