Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, known as V-J Day. To celebrate and honor the occasion, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra partnered with the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum and performed patriotic music on top of the USS Razorback SS394.
The USS Razorback conducted five combat patrols during World War II. Its team sank Japanese vessels, captured Japanese POWs and rescued American pilots. It was also one of 12 submarines present in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender was signed, according to North Little Rock’s website.
Prior to the concert, former U.S. Representative Vic Snyder, a Marine Corps veteran himself, spoke of the day and the history of the vessel.
“This is a very special day for a lot of us,” he said.
He said that WWII veterans were some of his family members as well as community members who helped raise him.
“We’re all really excited about it,” Snyder said about the performance.
A brass quintet performed a selection of songs to honor veterans and the victory. The program included both rousing marches, such as “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, and subdued, reflective moments, such as “Rest” by Vaughn Williams. Veterans and their families sat in the audience, and the veterans stood when the song for their armed forces branch was played during the Armed Forces March.
Andrew Stadler and Carl Mason played trumpets, David Renfro was on the horn, Ed Owen played the tuba and Michael Underwood, a veteran himself, played the trombone in the quintet.
The performance ended with a medley of patriotic songs by George M. Cohan, such as “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “The Yankee Doodle Boy.”
