Memorial Ceremony tomorrow (8/13) at Island Cemetery in Newport

Tomorrow morning at 9:30am, dignitaries and the public will gather at the family plot of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in Island Cemetery in Newport, RI.

We will commemorate the man who traveled to Japan from 1852-1854 with his squadron which the Japanese called 黒船-kurofune or Black Ships. Through his efforts, our two nations signed the Treaty of Peace and Amity, established relations, and Japan was opened to the outside world. Today, Japan and the United States are the very best of friends.

The public is welcome. Participants in the ceremony will be in Summer Whites for the Navy participants and coat and tie for the civilians.