Wilmington Becomes 1st WWII 'Heritage City' During Trump Visit

WILMINGTON, NC — President Donald Trump was in North Carolina for his daily news briefing on Wednesday, announcing that Wilmington has been designated as the first American World War II heritage city.

Wilmington was used as a Port City during the second World War. Wednesday's designation recognizes "the countless contributions of the women and men who stepped into the workforce to support America’s successful campaign during World War II," the U.S. Department of the Interior said in a news release.

“Becoming the nation’s first American World War II Heritage City is a tremendous honor, not only for our city, but for the courageous men and women who fought in battle and those who sustained our nation while at war,” Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said.

“We’re proud that our Port City played such a vital role in the Allied victory and that we continue to recognize Wilmington’s historic wartime contributions and their enduring legacy through this designation.”

Trump said he went to Wilmington on Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepting the Japanese surrender in World War II on Sept. 2, 1945. "Victory over Japan" Day, commonly referred to a VJ Day, was about two weeks earlier on Aug 15, 1945.

"There's no better place to mark this anniversary" than Wilmington, Trump said in an outdoor speech.

He called the city's heritage designation "a big deal."

"Our nation's first. Wilmington," he said.

Nominations are open for other American cities to join Wilmington in the National Parks Service's World War II heritage city program, the Department of Interior said.

Trump's Wednesday speech also took aim at the recent movement to remove statues of Confederate leaders across various states.

"We don't tear down our past," he said.

Trump has been away from the White House for most of this week so far. On Tuesday, he addressed the media during a roundtable on community safety in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where civil unrest and violence has unfolded following the Aug. 23 police shooting of Jacob Blake.