Sep
02
2025
Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri's World War II Experience opened on September 2, 2025, marking the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II. Ideum collaborated with the USS Missouri Memorial Association to create a unique, onboard exhibit that focuses on the battleship's incredible journey during World War II, culminating in the Japanese surrender on the deck of the ship in Tokyo Bay. Over the Labor Day Weekend, several events were held in Pearl Harbor commemorating the end of World War II and the opening of the new exhibit.
Eight surviving crew members made the trip out to Hawaii with their families. Over the past year, Ideum and the USS Missouri Memorial interviewed seven of the eight veterans to be part of the interview station featured in the new exhibit. On Saturday, we recorded our final interview with veteran Bob Somrak in Honolulu. Mr. Somrak saw an article about our work with the USS Missouri and contacted us. We passed on his information to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, and they invited him to attend the events. It was Mr. Somrak’s first trip back to Hawaii in 80 years.
After the interview, several veterans met informally in the hotel lobby where they were staying. It was wonderful to see the veterans meeting for the first time and reminiscing about their experiences on the USS Missouri during World War II. During the war, the ship's crew numbered 2,900 men. The eight who attended are the only known surviving crew members.
The veterans, their families, and other VIPs attended a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the exhibit. Following this event, the participants got a preview of the exhibit. Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri's World War II Experience features artifacts displayed in custom exhibit cases. We designed these cases to fit into the contours of the ship, allowing for more floor space in somewhat cramped conditions aboard the battleship. Along with artifacts, there are several interactive exhibits and a short introductory video. We will soon add a story to our portfolio that provides a more detailed description of our exhibit design work. Visit the Honolulu Star Advertiser website for a gallery of images of the exhibit blessing.
Following the exhibit preview, we all attended a gala event on the dock adjacent to the USS Missouri. The event featured guest speakers from the US Navy, including Captain Samuel White, Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander of the Pacific Fleet. In addition, Linda Hope from the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation spoke, and the keynote speaker was Clifton Truman Daniel, the eldest grandson of President Harry S. Truman. The stars of the gala, however, were the eight veterans who received multiple standing ovations during the event.
The final event was the commemoration of the end of World War II and the Japanese signing of surrender documents on the deck of the USS Missouri on September 2, 2025. Marking the moment at 9:02 AM, the commemoration ceremony included a speech by veteran Ed Buffman, one of ‘the eight’ and an eyewitness to the surrender eighty years earlier. Other speakers included Michael Carr, President of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Captain Steven W. Colon, USNR (Ret.) Chairman of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Emma Baksic, the (Youth) Speech Contest Winner from Hawai’i Technology Academy, and a keynote address from Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Also in attendance were several World War II veterans from other ships and other services. All of these men were honored at the commemoration ceremony. Each veteran received an American flag. Most of these veterans are centenarians, and some traveled from across the country to be part of the event.
It was an exciting and emotional long weekend and one that we were honored to participate in. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the USS Missouri and its team in helping to tell the story of what was arguably the most significant historical event of the 20th century. We are also very thankful for ‘the eight’ and for all those who have served our country, fighting for democracy and freedom.
CNN also interviewed several of the USS Missouri veterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The interviews can be found here.
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