As I stood alone at the "Peace Park" museum silently weeping in front a photo of the shadow of a child burned into one of the few pieces of walls left standing in a decimated city, tears streaming down my cheeks at the horror of history I was witnessing, an aged Japanese woman came up beside me and patted me gently on the back saying "Daijōbu, Daijōbu" - It's alright, it's alright.
My high and tight gave away the fact I was a Marine, the branch of the military that operated in the Pacific Theater. This elder who most certainly had family or friends who died there that day had pity ON ME! I still weep silently when I remember this experience, as I am weeping now.
The Japanese people learned something from that horrible tragedy that Americans still haven't learned. It is that all life is precious and no one is beyond redemption. It is a lesson I try to remember every day and a value worth striving toward.
The anniversary of these tragedies weighs heavily in my heart every year. A victim consoling a representative of the perpetrator. Can you imagine the love and compassion in a being like that?
ANY weapon that kills indiscriminately is a criminal tool. Any person or nation who uses them or condones their use is criminal.
That's my story. Now here is a link to the article:
