This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Legacy of Peace aerial parade heralds the main ceremony to take place on September 2nd, on board the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. The Japanese military surrendered the war on the deck of the USS Missouri, on September 2, 1945.
Originally there were plans to commemorate the occasion with a film presentation, a three day aerial parade, and a bigger ceremony at Pearl Harbor. Due to COVID-19 the plans had to be greatly modified.
The deck of the USS Missouri under the forward guns. 
The USS Missouri, also known as the “Mighty Mo”, docked at Pearl Harbor. 
Photograph on the actual deck of the USS Missouri. The Japanese military surrendered World War II on this ship in September 2, 1945. 
A placard on the deck of the USS Missouri. It describes the Japanese surrender ending World War II.
Family Friendly Aerial Parades
The Legacy of Peace aerial parade schedule includes three days of aircrafts flying over the Island of Oahu. During our current stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus, this is a welcomed event for families to look forward to. The first day was on Saturday August 29 and the second was on Sunday August 30. The last parade will occur tomorrow on September 2, 2020, the day of the anniversary, with a flyover “The Mighty Mo.”
This past Saturday my son and I got to enjoy the show right outside our home. My dad used to tell me all about the different airplanes from World War II and the Vietnam War. So my excitement for planes still lives on, and today I get to share it with my boy.
There were over a dozen classic war planes that arrived at Pearl Harbor from all around the country. The following warbirds are participating in the three day Legacy of Peace aerial parade: B-25 Mitchell, P-51 Mustang, TBF Avenger, AT-6 Texan, F8F Bearcat, PBY Catalina, and the Boeing-Stearman Model 75.
Note: A few planes were mislabeled in the video. The “P-52” is supposed to be P-51 (typo). The F8F Bearcat was misidentified and is actually another AT-6 Texan. The “PDY Catalina” should be PBY.
There will be a livestream on the final day of the anniversary. For more information visit 75thwwiicommemoration.org. Mahalo to everyone who helped to organize this event and worked so hard to make it a success.
May we always remember, and never forget the bravery and sacrifice of so many men and women from The Greatest Generation.
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