I came here today to remember and honor the memories I have of 16 young fighter pilots, one who was only 19years old, who I knew and flew with who were killed in the air war over Japan.
I came here to remember and honor the memories of the 23 B-29 crew members who were killed in a mid-air collision over Shizuoka on June 20, 1945.
I came here to remember and honor the memories of the 2000 citizens of Shizuoka who were killed by the bombs dropped on them by B-29’s from Guam.
I came here to remember and honor the memories of the 500,000 American service men and women who were killed in World War 2.
I came here to remember and honor the memories of two million Japanese soldiers and civilians who were killed in World War 2.
And I came here today to remember and honor the memories of the 53 million citizens of the world who were killed in the war between the years 1937 and 1945.
All of those who were killed fulfilled the pure purpose of war, to kill your enemy.
To kill your enemy is the direct opposite of the pure purpose of life, which to me is to connect with all of Nature, with all of Humanity for we as humans are all the same in the eyes of Nature and in the eyes of sensitive, thinking people throughout the World.
I came here today to honor the memory of Mr. Fukumatso Itoh who recognized that in 1945 when he arranged the burial of his enemy alongside of his countrymen and began this joint Japanese/American tradition.
And I came here today to honor Dr. Hiroya Sugano who carries on this hallowed tradition of honor and respect for all people. Soon all of the veterans of World War 2 will be gone. It is my hope that our legacy will be one of Harmony with all of Nature and Unity between all of Humanity
Thank you very much. |
