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Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge to unveil USS Missouri gun barrel Memorial Day weekend

Posted at 1:57 PM, May 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-16 13:58:05-04

The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Memorial Day weekend to show of the refuge’s latest addition.

On Saturday, May 25th the refuge will unveil a 120 ton, 68-foot gun barrel which was on the battleship USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II.

The refuge is on the site of former Fort John Custis, which housed two similar 16-inch guns during WWII to protect the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

Visitors should park at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Welcome Center (32383 Lankford Highway, Cape Charles, VA) and either walk the short refuge trail to the ceremony location or take the free shuttle from the CBBT Welcome Center to the Refuge ceremony site.