Peace Memorial Park

This Saturday we had yet ANOTHER all-day power outage. They are building a new hospital on the base where we live and this summer we have had several power outages while they work on the electricity for the hospital. It is quite frustrating, but hopefully this was the last one. We haven't traveled to the southern part of this island yet, so John and I decided to head down there since we did not want to be stuck in a house without power all day.

We went to the Peace Memorial Park, a memorial for those who lost their lives in the battle of Okinawa.

The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War and lasted from early April until mid-June in 1945.

Monuments were constructed to honor more than 240,000 people who lost their lives during that battle. Sadly, more civilians were killed in this battle than military members.

Both Japanese and foreigners names (Americans included) are written on the monuments and they all face the "Cornerstone of Peace" with a spectacular view and a water sculpture.

There is a museum on the grounds with an observation tower. Amazing view, huh?

The war ended on August 15, 1945 and in 1982 the Japanese government designated August 15 as a national day of mourning for those who lost their lives and a day to pray for peace.

The purpose of the museum is to encourage everyone to learn a lesson from the past in hopes for a better future.