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WWII Event Limited to Hawaii Veterans After Pandemic Worries Raised

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FILE - General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, and General Wainwright, who surrendered to the Japanese after Bataan and Corregidor, witness the formal Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945.

Plans to welcome dozens of elderly World War II veterans for ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II while Hawaii is facing a surge in coronavirus cases have been canceled and limited attendance and a virtual presentation are in the works instead.

Organizers said that given the state of COVID-19 infections in Hawaii and concerns about the safety of the veterans, the "extremely difficult decision" was made to further limit attendance at the official commemoration ceremony to WWII veterans who live in Hawaii. 

A live streaming of the event is planned to include those veterans from outside the state.

The 75th anniversary was meant to be a blockbuster event, and the veterans have been looking forward to it for years. There were to be thousands of people watching in Hawaii with parades through Waikiki, vintage warbird flyovers, and gala dinners to honor the veterans.

Now, most in-person celebrations have been canceled over fears the virus could infect the veterans, who range from 90 to 101. 

Oahu, where the events would take place, has seen an alarming spike in coronavirus cases in the past month, forcing many restrictions to be reinstated, including a ban on gatherings of more than five people and the closure of all beaches and parks.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other senior U.S. officials plan to attend the events at Pearl Harbor. Esper's spokesman, John Supple, said the defense secretary is aware of the recent spike of COVID-19 cases on Oahu and everyone in his entourage will be tested for coronavirus before they arrive in Hawaii.

Hawaii is expected to grant modified quarantine orders for those traveling for the anniversary, allowing them to attend the official ceremony and other events. Otherwise, people coming to the islands are required to quarantine for two weeks.

Gov. David Ige's office had said this week that the details are still under review but that the state will do everything possible to ensure the veterans are safely honored.

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