(Media release from the Puryear Detachment, Marine Corps League):
The Puryear Detachment, Marine Corps League will celebrate the complete refurbishing and relocation of the Type 92 Japanese howitzer “Pistol Pete” in a special program at 11 a.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend the event at the weapon’s new home, the VFW Lodge 4911 at 2632 Cedartown Highway. Troy Bolt, Detachment commandant, said hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks will be served free of charge.
The Shanklin-Attaway Post 5, American Legion Honor Guard will be on hand to offer a 21-gun salute, and several individuals and organizations that supported the almost two-year project to renovate and relocate the World War II weapon will be recognized, Bolt added.
The VFW facility also serves as the permanent home of the Puryear Detachment.
The cannon was designed to have an effective range of more than a mile, and was used by the Japanese in three conflicts, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Soviet-Japanese Border Wars and World War II. It was captured by American soldiers after defeating Japan at Guadalcanal, and was brought to Rome in 1949 for the dedication of the Marine Reserve Armory on Shorter Avenue.
For more information, contact Charles Graves at 706-346-0181.