Interfaith Service remembers lives lost in WWII

Individuals from various religious organizations, as well as veterans, dignitaries, and members of the community, gathered at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater to pay tribute and reflect on the thousands of lives lost during the intense battles on Saipan and Tinian 60 years ago.

Dubbed the Interfaith Memorial Service, the event featured tributes in various forms—music, remarks, and prayers from the various groups and individuals present.

Legal counsel to the Lt. Gov. Maya Kara said the occasion serves as a special time to remember all the sacrifices and hardship endured by many during the war.

“So many lives were lost,” she said. “Over 40,000 people died on Saipan—Americans, Japanese, Carolinians, and Chamorro men, women, and children. The significance of this service is to remember the universal reality and sorrow of death. It’s a time to reflect and remember that we have to live in such a way to make sure that this never happens again.”

Rev. Ryan Jimenez of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, who led the memorial service, said after the ceremony that services such as yesterday’s event “should be done more often on this island.”

“There are about 30-plus or so faith denominations here, and to have the opportunity to gather in prayer with a common goal is wonderful,” he said. “If there’s one thing that binds all of us, regardless of faith and background, it’s our deeper longing for peace.”

“When we remember the people from the war, when we remember them in our prayer, we commend them to God, and we hope that we can learn from the past,” he said.

Rev. Harlan Webber also added his thoughts on the WWII events, and led all in a prayer for renewal, and the role forgiveness plays toward peaceful living.

“All of us, at one point, dislikes another person, and sometimes it goes to hate,” he said. “But when you go to the person and forgive him, and he forgives you, the both of you are renewed, and you get the sense of freshness. Grace will make you and us gracious people.”

Representing the Jewish Community was Bruce L. Mailman, who led everyone in a prayer that focused on life and the praise of God.

Local athlete Kana Aikawa read the Sadako Story, a story about a girl, Sadako Sasaki, who after being diagnosed with leukemia, prayed to the gods to grant her recovery by folding over a thousand paper cranes, which in the recent years, has become the international symbol for peace.

Sadako died on Oct. 25, 1955 after completing over a thousand cranes; however, her efforts gave birth to a legacy urging a continuous push for peace.

In 1958, a statue of Sadako was unveiled in Hiroshima Peace Park. Inscribed at the bottom of the statue was a wish from Sadako’s friends and classmates: “This is our cry, This is our prayer, Peace in the world.”

The service also featured choral music courtesy of choirs from the Pohnpeian Church, Kristo Rai Church, and San Jose Church.

The ceremony was capped with the singing of Amazing Grace.