Hiroshima
I don't know if Dr. V planned it or not but my class was visiting Hiroshima on America's observance of Memorial Day. I began to realize the significance of the day and my heart became heavy. 68 years ago during World War II, the U.S. dropped 2 atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force unconditional surrender from Japan. I am not a history buff but I will guess that is was ultimately retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor, where 2403 American lives were lost. The death totals are not accurate but an conservatively estimated 250,000 were killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the bomb dropped. This act was complete overkill, to say the least. We just do not realize the level of destruction that was caused that day back in the United States.
At the Atomic Dome Park, I met a daughter of one the survivors during the attack. Her name was Michiko Yamaoka. She told her mother's story because her mother was now too old. Her mother's story was vivid and heartbreaking. She described the blackened bodies of those who survived the initial blast, children left to die in burning building, and the corpses all around. As she told her story, she displayed a notebook with photographs and drawing of the days after. I did everything I could to hold back my tears.
I did not think to ask but I can only guess she is there every day retelling her mother's story to those that come to the Atomic Dome Park. The park is now a monument of peace. it serves to ensure that we do not forget the lives lost and that peace cannot be achieve by hate.
What a heart-wrenching story.
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