It's been 60 years in the making.

And today's ceremony commemorating the formal end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945 will likely be a final salute for many of the veterans who fought the war and who are well into their 80s.

The international event aboard the battleship Missouri, now berthed off Ford Island, is open to the public and scheduled to begin at just after 8:30 a.m.

Organizers say it should last 90 minutes — or about an hour longer than the original surrender formalities that took place on the ship in Tokyo Bay those many years ago.

More than 200 vets who fought in World War II will be aboard, including some who were there for the surrender.

"We're also getting representation from all the signatory nations," said Capt. Don Hess, president and chief operating officer of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, who will be master of ceremonies.

In addition to the United States, nations that will be represented include China, Britain, Russia, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

"In most cases, they're consuls or honorary consuls general. But Australia sent a larger delegation, with a minister of veterans affairs and several others both governmental and uniform," Hess said.

The Australian group includes 17 veterans and one war widow who left their country on Saturday and have spent their time on O'ahu visiting various locations associated with the war.

In terms of numbers, the occasion will be a carbon copy of the surrender, when thousands crowded the decks of the Mighty Mo to watch Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu sign the Instrument of Surrender.

"We're looking at two to three thousand people," said Hess. "But the way the people will be arrayed will be different. Most will be on the pier, where they can get the best view of the speakers."

Among the speakers will be two U.S. sailors who witnessed the surrender — James Starnes, who was the ship's navigator and the officer of the deck that day, and Murray Yudelowitz, a gunner's mate who watched from one of the Mighty Mo's gun turrets. Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will deliver the keynote address.

Another speaker will be retired Army Col. Ben Skardon, who was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines on April 10, 1942, survived the infamous Bataan Death March, and watched hundreds of his buddies die brutally before he was finally freed by Allied forces in Manchuria on Aug. 18, 1945.

At 88, Skardon said, he realizes today's ceremony could be the last hurrah for some. But he said if he's able, he'll be more than willing to be part of the next event.

For now, he's grateful to be able to say a few words about his experiences and the meaning of the end of World War II to him.

"This, to me, is an honor and a privilege," said Skardon, whose story is as powerful as it is incredible. "It also gives me a chance to give my little talk about survival, loyalty and faith.

"And I don't preach. I just say I want to give some instances that illustrate what I mean by these words."

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.