On August 6th at 8:00 a.m. the 76th Anniversary Observation of the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki began at the entrance to Ashland’s Lithia Park. A gong sounded at 8:15 a.m., marking the exact time that the bomb hit Hiroshima in 1946.
The world-wide observance provides a sobering and awareness of the fragile nature of peace on our planet. The City of Ashland, as a member of International Mayors for Peace, and a declared Nuclear Free Zone, participated in an annual ceremony co-sponsored by Peace House, South Mountain Friends Meeting, the Ashland Culture of Peace and One Sunny Day Initiatives (OSDI).
Honored guests included Rogue Valley resident and Hiroshima survivor Hideko Tamura-Snider, 87, founder of OSDI, who has worked tirelessly to build awareness of the enormous suffering and losses created by the nuclear bombing of her country in 1946. Also attending was Betty LaDuke, whose artwork “Dreams of a Nuclear Free Future” created after her personal experience of the Hiroshima Peace Park, has become an iconic prayer for peace associated with the Ashland Observance.
Those in attendance were welcomed by Peace House Director, Elizabeth V. Hallett. Ashland Culture of Peace Director, David Wick, lit the symbolic flame for peace in remembrance of those who died and read a proclamation from May Peace Prevail on Earth International.
Organizer Estelle Voeller read the 2021 Declaration by Mayor Mr. Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima in appreciation of the City of Ashland’s participation in world-wide condemnation of nuclear weapons.
Rev. Dr. Brett Strobel of the Ashland Methodist Church spoke of the need for a culture of trust in these times. City Councilor Shaun Moran, who has lived in Japan, read the Ashland Mayoral Proclamation in remembrance of those who have died, declaring unity with the 8,043 other cities in the world, from 165 countries, that form part of a worldwide network.
Dr. Michael Niemann provided an update on the status of the 2017 Nuclear Treaty against Nuclear Testing. This was followed by a traditional water ceremony, seen in the photo above. As a symbol of cooling and prayer for the souls for the departed, who burned or were injured in the bombing, water was ladled by those in attendance over a large bowl of rocks, one by one, as they offered their prayers to the departed and bowed.
The moving tribute serves as a remembrance and a prayer for us, also, and future generations to stand for peace and abolish nuclear weapons.
Media Coverage:
Savannah Blake of the Mail Tribune published a lovely video collage and report here.
Jefferson Public Radio published audio and written pieces here.
Post Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance Events Links:
** Ashland was represented at this event by David Wick and Irene Kai of the Ashland Culture of Peace!
Official Hiroshima Ceremony of Remembrance
From Dr. Hideko Tamura-Snider
Portland, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
