Veterans Day 2025 Ceremony at Battleship Missouri Memorial

On November 11, 2025, aboard the storied USS Missouri (BB‑63)—better known today as the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor—members of the U.S. Pacific Fleet gathered to honour the men and women who have served our nation. Adm. Steve Koehler delivered remarks at this solemn sunset ceremony, reflecting on the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250-year legacy of service.
Navy Personnel Command

Two and a Half Centuries of Commitment

Adm. Koehler noted that our military’s heritage stretches back to the Revolutionary War, when America’s first sailors and marines forged a nation through grit and resolve.
Navy Personnel Command
Those early victories—like the naval exploits of John Paul Jones aboard the Serapis—became part of the bedrock traditions still upheld today.
Navy Personnel Command

That legacy continues. From the battles of the 20th century to the present, the service members of today carry forward the same principles of professionalism, teamwork, stewardship, and resiliency.
Navy Personnel Command

Honouring Veterans, Families & the Next Generation

The ceremony also honoured veterans like John Gleeson, who served in WWII and Korea, and whose life after service exemplified commitment to community and the preservation of history.
Navy Personnel Command
Adm. Koehler emphasized that our service members don’t serve alone; their families and loved ones stand alongside them, making it possible to answer the call without reservation.
Navy Personnel Command

A Symbolic Setting at Pearl Harbor

Choosing the Battleship Missouri Memorial as the venue added profound symbolism. This ship witnessed major chapters in naval history and stands today as a living monument to American tenacity across generations.
Navy Personnel Command
Against the backdrop of Hawaii’s famed harbor, the sunset ceremony served as both tribute and reminder—the torch of service passes from veterans past to the new generation who take the oath.

Looking Ahead with Purpose