Ceremony marking 80 years since end of WWII honors 101-year-old Veteran

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Tuesday marks 80 years since the Japanese Army officially surrendered in Tokyo Bay — marking the end of WWII.

Sponsored by a local historic preservation nonprofit known as Tnovsa Global Commons, speakers at the event called “South Carolina Remembers” included Veterans of other conflicts, local professors, lawmakers, and authors.

“The men and women who answered that call were not soldiers by trade, they were sons of farmers and sharecroppers, clerks and small stores, young men and women working in mills and classrooms — ordinary Americans living quiet lives until history came knocking with the sounds of bombs at Pearl Harbor,” says Mike Bedenbaugh, author of “Reclaiming the Republic.”

One man who answered that call was Willie White from Clarendon County — who just turned 101-years-old in June.

“Well some days I have good days and bad days. But I didn’t like when I went in, but I like it now,” he says.

White was the only WWII Veteran at the event, with most Veterans of that war now in their 90’s or older.

He described how he felt when the war came to an end — 80 years to the day.

“I’m glad the war was over. When they got the Japanese to sign the peace treaty, everybody got on the floor and kissed the floor.,” White says.

ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams asked White to give advice to young people considering joining the military.

“Tell them if you go in the Army or the Navy, do your best. Do your best for your country. And people thank you. And you will always have good luck. You’ll have good luck. I reckon y’all can see that today,” he says, adding, “So you see I’m here now. Thank the good Lord for watching over me all night long. Waking me up this morning in my right mind, my health and my strength, and I thank you.”

Catherine Fleming Bruce is the director of Tnovsa. She says to honor Veterans, seek out historic sites and monuments and check in with local Veterans associations.

“Find out what their issues and concerns are and make sure they get the support they need, and families of Veterans also,” she says.

Wreaths were laid at separate locations across Columbia, including the following monuments at Memorial Park at 700 Hampton Street:

• USS Columbia warship and those that served with her during WWII

• China-Burma-India Theater Veterans of WWII

• Casualties of the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941, who were from South Carolina

• Holocaust monument