Peace

On August 6, 1945 at 8:15, Hiroshima became the first victim of an Atomic bombing. The effects were devastating with over 160,000 people dead by the end of the year. Nearly everything within a 3 mile radius of the hypocenter was destroyed but even more devastating was the effects of the radiation from the bomb on the people of Hiroshima in the coming weeks, months and years.

Sadako was 2 at the time of the bombing but due to the effects of radiation, developed leukemia at age 12 and was given a short time to live. When her friend visited her in the hospital with a paper crane telling her about the Japanese story of getting your wish if you make 1000 paper cranes, Sadako set to work. She didn't finish the 1000 cranes before she died but her friends did. Now there's a memorial to Sadako (look for the book in the library- there are two versions) that is called The Children's Peace Monument. Children from all over the world send hundreds of thousands paper cranes to Hiroshima to be displayed at the monument. When we visited, a group of sixth graders were presenting their paper cranes. The video is about 12 minutes long but it's worth it.



I also had the good fortune to hear a survivor of the bombing speak. His story was interesting but even more fascinating was his complete lack of anger about the bombing. "I hate the bomb but I don't hate people." The entire focus of the Peace Park is to promote peace throughout the world, to honor those affected by the bombing and to do everything possible to ensure that there will never be another Hiroshima.

Think about that. Sometimes we get so angry about someone cutting in the lunch line, or saying something hurtful. These people had their city destroyed, their homes burned, their bodies injured, but yet they don't hate. They want peace in our world.