CHURCHES TO RING BELLS TO CELEBRATE V-J DAY

Churches in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will ring their bells at 9 a.m. today, commemorating Victory over Japan Day.

On Sept. 2, 1945, representatives of Japan signed the official statement of surrender aboard the USS Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. Representatives of all Allied nations were present for this event, which ended World War II.

President Harry Truman declared it V-J Day, for Victory over Japan.

The local observance is sponsored by Daughters of the American Revolution chapters in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Shirley Young, a DAR representative on the state level, said any churches not previously invited to ring their bells were welcome to participate.