(Photo courtesy of USO Okinawa)
At the base of one of stone memorials at the Cornerstone of Peace, two wreaths are placed in honor of the thousands of lives lost during The Battle of Okinawa. While Okinawa is home to stunning views, delicious food, and breathtaking water, the island is also home to one of the most significant moments in the Pacific World War II fighting theatre as well as history. The Battle of Okinawa took course over eighty days, finally ending on June 22, 1945, with over 240,000 lives, both civilian and military, lost.
June 23, 2024, marked the 79th anniversary of the end of battle, known as Okinawa Memorial Day. To commemorate the day’s significance, USO Okinawa, the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa, and members of the United States military gathered at the Peace Memorial Park to pay tribute to the lives lost during the fighting. A brief memorial ceremony as well as a moment of silence was held where USO Okinawa Area Director, Phil VanEtten, Major General Brian N. Wolford, Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, remarked on the day’s solemnity and historical impact. They were joined by US Consulate General of Naha, Matthew Dolbow and Justin Wentworth, American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa president, who also shared remarks on the day’s profound impact.
(Photo courtesy of USO Okinawa)
“Although the battle of Okinawa took place over 79 years ago, we continue to gather to remember those who lost their lives in the conflict and will endeavor to pray for peace in our world,” Justin, American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa president remarked while delivering a speech at the annual ceremony.
Constructed in 1955, the Peace Memorial Park, is located at the site of the last recorded fighting in southeastern Okinawa and stands as tribute to the Japanese, American, Korean, Taiwanese, and British service members and civilians that perished during the Battle of Okinawa. The Cornerstone of Peace is a series of stone monuments bearing the 241,593 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict. Those paying their respects to the fallen will place flowers, origami cranes, food, and bottles of water under their loved one’s names.
U.S. Consult General of Naha, Matthew Dolbow, spoke with great pride to the attendees at the Okinawa Memorial Day ceremony about the importance of the Japan-U.S. Mutual Security Treaty, an agreement forging the alliance between Japan and the United States. This alliance is viewed by world leaders as one of the strongest alliances in history.
Major General Brian N. Wolford, Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations Pacific spoke briefly and emphasized the significance of the American Japanese alliance and partnership that continues to propel the two nations forward.
(Photo courtesy of USO Okinawa)
USO Okinawa Area Director, Phil VanEtten, also commented on the day’s historical significance but also noted that June 23rd is a day for profound thought and honor.
“USO Okinawa and the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa hold a ceremony every year to take pause and remember all those killed during this horrific battle. The Battle of Okinawa was also known as Operation Iceberg,” he shared, “and was a series of battles fought in the Ryukyu Islands in 1945. It was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War, with over a quarter of a million Americans, Japanese, and Okinawans killed, wounded, or missing. The battle was fought for almost three months.”
“To the Japanese, Okinawa was their last line of defense before the Americans and their Allies invaded mainland Japan. As such, the fighting was relentless. Unfortunately, the good people of Okinawa were caught in between the fighting,” he continued. “Today, we remember the casualties on both sides of the conflict, and we remember the Okinawan people of which 25% of the island’s population were killed,” Phil VanEtten, concluded.
June 23rd, Okinawa Memorial Day is truly a day to remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Okinawa.
For more information about USO Okinawa, please visit www.okinawa.uso.org.
