"Prayer for Peace" Monument
Sanshudai, Takachiho, MONUMENT FOR PEACELate on the evening of 30 August 1945, an American B-29 Bomber lifted off from the Tinian Airbase. Amidst dense fog and pouring rain the B-29 attempted to cross the Sobo Mountain Range, approaching from the Bungo Channel. The aircraft, however, clipped a mountain peak and crashed, bursting into flames near Mount Oyaji. Also, on the evening of 7 August 1945, Sergeant Gijin Toku of the Japanese 65th Air Squadron took off in a "Hayabusa" fighter aircraft for night navigational exercises from Metabaru Airbase in Saga Prefecture. However, communication was lost and the fighter aircraft never returned to base. Later that year, following the end of the war, Sergent Toku's aircraft was discovered in Kawachi, in the mountains very close to this site. This year we commemorate 50 years since the end of World War II and enjoy the peace which has come to prevail. However, we shall not forget the young precious lives which where lost on this ground. On this occasion, the unveiling of the "Monument for Peace," we pray for lasting peace and for the ongoing friendly relations between our two countries. 26 Aug 95 The "Monument for Peace" Establishment Committee
In the Line Of DutyThe following brave young men lost their lives for their country in the line of duty.
CPL. BOB L. MILLERA PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM HIS BROTHERMy memories of my brother are all good. When you are only 10 years old and you lose your brother, you are deeply hurt. Time, however, tends to lessen the pain, especially for the young. Over the years, my pain changed to regret for not having a brother as I grew up. When I received the first contact from Mr. Kai and the promoters of the Takachiho "Pray for Peace" Monument, it awakened some emotions in me that I had not felt for many years. The most important aspect of my brother's death to me, as an adult, is not that he was killed by an act of war, but by an act of kindness on his part. He and the other members of his crew had volunteered to fly much-needed supplies to the P.O.W.'s in Kumamoto. My father passed away in 1963, and my mother in 1993, but my sisters and myself are extremely honored by this gesture by the people of Takachiho Town. I pray that this "Pray For Peace" Monument will serve to remind the people of all countries of the devastation of war and the rewards of peace. The people of Japan have demonstrated to the world that more is to be gained by peaceful means rather than by aggression, and the "Pray For Peace" Monument is further proof of that philosophy. This monument does not only honor the men who died here, but it also demonstrates to the world the love and compassion of the people of Takachiho. And we, the families of those 12 men who died here on August 30, 1945, are humbled by this kindness. May the world learn a lesson in kindness from your actions. With Feelings of Love, Larry J. Miller
WISH FOR PEACE Our hometown, Gokasho, lies at the foot of Mount Sobo in the middle of mountainous Kyushu. Throughout all the seasons, it is a very beautiful and most peaceful highland village. We know that 50 years ago this August, on two mountains that can be seen from here, both an American and a Japanese warplane crashed, resulting in the loss of thirteen precious young lives. The crash of the Japanese "Hayabusa" fighter plane occured only one week before the end of the war. The American B-29 bomber was on its final mission, 2 weeks after the end of the war, to drop relief supplies of food and medicine to Kumamoto. We think that if only there had been no war, such sad accidents would not have occurred. We think how sad it must have been for the parents and families who were waiting for their loved ones to return. Today we live in a peaceful world. However, we will never forget that there was once a time when peace did not prevail. We promise here today to do all that we can to preserve peace for ever and ever. 26 August 1995
Eriko Kimura, 8th grade |