VJ Day Speakers
Kiss Me Once Again
The following individuals enhanced our ceremony with their speeches and readings.
Debi Hollis, President, The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, read A Reflection on WWII. A copy of her speech is available here.
Russell Levine, Vice President, The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, read The Road to VJ Day. A copy of his speech is available here.
Shawn Ciavattone, District Director, State Senator Marty Knollenberg, read a Special Tribute signed by State Senator Marty Knollenberg, State Representative Jim Townsend and Governor Rick Snyder which you can read here.
Christine Greig, State Representative 37th District, read excerpts from the Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender, issued, at Potsdam, July 26, 1945, known informally as The Potsdam Declaration. Read more about Christine, the Potsdam Declaration and why Christine read it here.
Rob Price, Director Targeted Outreach with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, read a personal letter from Govenor Rick Synder which you can read here. He also read excerpts from the speech given by President Harry S Truman on August 6, 1945 shortly after the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare on Hiroshima, Japan. Read more about Rob, this speech and why Rob read it here.
Dustin Rice, student, Michigan State University, International Relations, read excerpts from Japanese Emperor Hirohito’s Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War announcing Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945. Read more about Dustin, this speech and why Dustin read it here.
Art Fishman, Fireman First Class, US Navy, WWII, read excerpts from General Douglas MacArthur’s opening statement at the Japanese Surrender Ceremony on the USS Missouri, September 2, 1945. Read more about Art, this speech and why Art read it here.
L. Brooks Paterson, Oakland County Executive, read excerpts from the speech given by President Harry S Truman on September 2, 1945 after the signing of the Japanese surrender documents. Read more about Brooks, this speech and why Brooks read it here.