Alaska Peace Center Committed to nonviolent conflict resolution, working for peace within ourselves, our community, and our world

Silent vigil in remembrance of the first strike use of nuclear weapons against Hiroshima, Japan

Veterans Memorial Park, 700 Cushman Street

Thursday, 6 August 2020, at 12:00 noon

On August 6 seventy-five years ago the United States dropped the first atomic bomb to ever be used in warfare on the civilian population of Hiroshima, Japan. This ultimate result of the Manhattan Project ushered in the atomic age, where humanity became capable of destroying itself. Join us at noon for a silent vigil to commemorate this tragic loss of life and to contemplate the continuing threat that the world’s arsenals of nuclear weapons hold for life on earth.

Hiroshima, August 1945

Masks and social distancing appreciated.

Before noon August 6, 1945 1,700 m from the hypocenter Hirano-machi. On a road leading to Miyuki Bridge. Drawn by Fujita Makiko (20 at time of bombing, 49 at time of drawing)

Organized by Veterans For Peace Chapter 100 in Juneau, the Alaska Peace Center, and North Star Veterans For Peace Chapter 146 (Fairbanks).

The drawing to the right is from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum’s collection of artwork by hibakusha (atom bomb survivors) decades after the explosion. Following are the artist’s notes about his drawing: “I clearly remember this scene where students were walking while helping their teacher; they were holding the arms of the teacher from both sides and saying to him, ‘Hold on please.’ The students’ conditions were more pitiful than the teacher who was somehow wearing clothes, but he was blinded.”

Many people are familiar with the story of “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr. This story inspired the profoundly moving song “Cranes Over Hiroshima” written and sung by Fred Small.