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The following are excerpts of impressions of the Hiroshima Field Trip 2011
from a questionnaire conducted by the ICU.
(1) Tour of the Peace Memorial Museum and visit to Cenotaph and Hiroshima Peace
Memorial Park
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Thank you for this opportunity. It is among the best opportunity I have
during this fellowship to reflect on the importance of the work I am doing
and the responsibility we have as Rotary Fellows. |
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It’s very impressive, help me reconsider the importance of peace. |
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The museum was very nicely laid out and the Peace Park was very impressive.
I was delighted with both experiences. I might, however, go to the museum
first before laying the flowers at the peace park. To jump right into the
experience of laying flowers in remembrance of the victims was difficult.
I don’t think we took this action as seriously as we needed to, because
we had just arrived from the long train ride. |
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Although I enjoyed the tour, I would it like to have a brief meeting before
visiting the Cenotaph and paying my respect to the monument, as to set
up the “tone” of the trip and the purpose of our visit to this place. I
found a little bit lost as I did not know the significant of this monument
to the Japanese people. Having someone to explain about it before or during
the visit would be desirable. |
(2) Testimony of the A-bomb Survivor (Mr. Matsushima)
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I think that Mr. Matsushima is an extraordinary human being and I feel honor to have the opportunity to meet him and listened his story. |
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Mr. Matsushima’s testimony was thought provoking and well done. I was amazed
at his ability to recount the day’s events so clearly and to talk about
the experience with such poise. I was also very grateful that he seemed
so open to questions. |
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Wonderful. It can be explained a little bit more about him and some statistics
in survivors before having the story. |
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I was touch and move by this testimony. Mr. Matsushima with grace kindly
share this terrible experience. |
(3) Video Viewing/Poem Reading
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I think that reading the poems written by A-bomb survivors was a more powerful
activity than watching the video. |
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This time also included the reading of several poems and short testimony’s
by trained readers. Generally, I found this to be excellent. The readers
were very good and these messages are important for everyone to hear. However,
I was dismayed when one of the readers asked me to read one of the poems.
I did not think this was appropriate for various reasons, but mainly because
I have no idea if the individual who wrote that poem would want a citizen
of the United States reading his/her poem. It is not for me to decide. |
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Important archive to know and reflect on. |
(4) Discussion with Mr. Leeper (Chairman, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation)
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Really insightful conversation and prospect to work with his organization
(Mayor of Peace) in the near future. Not enough time. |
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Mr. Leeper was excellent and I was delighted to spend time with him. His
ability to clarify the difference and similarities between Hiroshima and
Nagasaki was really helpful and allowed me to learn quite a bit about difference
in Japanese culture. |
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I like his idea and contribution to this city, and through their effort,
we know better what happened there before, and wish a no nuclear weapon
world realized in the near future. |
(5) How has your view of Hiroshima changed after participationin the Hiroshima
Field Trip?
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I have been very positively surprised how well Hiroshima has developed
after 1945. It gives me hope and inspiration to see an entire community
come together and work for peace. We need more cities like Hiroshima! |
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I think that after visiting Hiroshima, I not only have a different perception
about this city but also of Japan and the Japanese society as a whole.
Visiting Hiroshima is visiting an important part of human history, one
dark side of human history in which we were able to commit horrible crimes
against each other. Hiroshima is an example to the world of the worse of
the human race but also an example of resilience and desire to transform
and developed into the path of peace and understanding. I found that this
trip is a “must” for all Rotary Peace Fellows in Japan as it provides a
space to reflect upon our purpose as future peace builders. |
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I had no idea that Hiroshima was such a vibrant city. It is a beautiful
area and the city has done amazing work to rebuild so extensively after
the destruction. It is a blessing that Hiroshima can stand as such an amazing
example of what is possible when a people are committed to the idea of
peace. |
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I learned a lot more about the history of Hiroshima itself, as well as
details regarding the Atomic Bombing. As an American who is interested
in world peace, this trip had a special resonance for me. |
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I did not have any particular view about Hiroshima. This trip helps me
realize more concretely the devastation on infrastructure and human lives
as well as the long term consequences of this tragedy. |
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Before I visited Hiroshima, I knew little about that city, only it was
bombed by the atom bomb once. Sometimes I even think maybe it was due to
themselves. However, after the Hiroshima Field Trip, I understood the A-bomb
historical event deeply. Every storied told by those victims made me feel
so sad. For those people, they are innocence and even now some of them
still suffered from it. I really hope we could build a world without nuclear
weapon anymore. I do believe I will actively work with this idea in the
future. |
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That was my 2nd time to visit Hiroshima. I really like the place and the
people. Life there is easier and more quality compared with Tokyo. I am
also impressed by how people radiate the spirit of oneness as a family
in the entire prefecture. You can see this thru bringing their young students
to sites that would help them remind their bitter past and how life had
to begin after the disaster. Young generation as the future leaders of
their community are being prepared to be equipped with patriotism and pride
of place. |
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I have already known that there is a miracle recovery in Japan after the
WW II, but Hiroshima is more miracle than I expected. I love the opinion
of Hiroshima people that this city is not about Atomic Bomb, it is rather
about what people here have done from Atomic Bomb and fight for protecting
peace. I really understand the pains that people here have to experience.
I come from a country which also hurts by the war; million people were
killed by cartridges and bombs, including my near relation. We want to
close the past and open the better future, but one thing we should not
never forget, that is never forget about the danger of the wars. |
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