The Hawaiian show honors the service of America’s Greatest Generation
In a powerful tribute to the heroes of America’s Greatest Generation, the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation have joined together with the Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Open to the public, the commemoration will be held in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from August 30th through September 2nd.
“We are honored to remember the heroes of World War II as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII,” states Linda Hope, Chair and CEO of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. “Joining with Gary Sinise, it is our privilege to pay tribute to the valor and sacrifice of those who served in our military during World War II, as well as to the everyday Americans on the home front who also sacrificed to help restore peace to the world. We are proud to salute the service and honor the hope of our Greatest Generation.”
Steeped in the history of WWII, the location of this commemoration is, itself, a tribute to all who serve our country. It is only here in Pearl Harbor that the bookends of WWII can be fully experienced. The Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band opening commemoration concert takes place on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, America’s WWII aviation battlefield on Saturday, August 30th. And the culminating commemoration ceremony takes place on the pier adjacent to the Battleship Missouri, upon whose deck the Instrument of Surrender ending WWII was signed on Tuesday, September 2nd.
“Honoring the heroes of the Greatest Generation, our nation’s World War II veterans, has always been close to my heart,” states actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise. “My Uncle Jack, a B-17 navigator in WWII, played a big role in inspiring my deep respect for those who served during that time. Through the Gary Sinise Foundation, we’ve worked to make sure their legacy and the sacrifices they made for our freedom are never forgotten. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, it’s a true privilege to bring the Lt. Dan Band to Hawaii on August 30th to honor, salute, and say thank you to these incredible men and women. We owe them so much.”
The 80th commemoration may be the last opportunity to bring together surviving WWII veterans. On September 2, 1945, with the U.S. fleet and air forces standing by, thousands gathered on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the Instrument of Surrender that brought the global conflict to an end. Eighty years later, on September 2, 2025, the official Commemoration Ceremony on the pier adjacent to the Surrender Deck of the Battleship Missouri Memorial will honor that historic day, welcoming eight USS Missouri veterans who were present for the ceremony that shaped a more peaceful future.
Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band have uplifted hundreds of thousands of our service members, reminiscent of the efforts of Bob Hope himself and the traveling entertainers who joined him in bringing the home front to the battle lines. The band, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, has performed nearly 600 concerts to entertain and support our nation’s defenders around the globe.
As we reflect on the lasting legacy of our WWII veterans and our greatest generation, we are grateful to the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Presenting Sponsor of the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the End of WWII, and to the support of the Gary Sinise Foundation for ensuring that this legacy of service and sacrifice is carried forward, inspiring the next generation.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will serve as the official hosts of the 80th Commemoration. The four-day commemoration will feature many public events staged at these two historic locations.
