Tinian sends off 200 lanterns in peace rite

Tinian, CNMI—The second staging of the annual Peace Vigil here was a somber and memorable event, with the community of Tinian coming together to remember those who perished during the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Due to bad weather, the ceremony had been postponed from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9, which happened to coincide with the Nagasaki Peace Ceremony.

However, on Aug. 6, at 9:15am (8:15am Hiroshima time) and on Aug. 9, at 12:02pm (11:02am Nagasaki time) the Department of Public Safety and the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Division, sounded off their sirens to mark the time that the bombs were dropped.

The sirens were a signal for the community of Tinian to offer a moment of silence to remember those who died during the bombings.

Events resumed on Aug. 9, at 7:00pm, with the Candle Light Vigil that began at the Gandhi-King-Ikeda Peace Gardens and ended at the Kammer Beach Main Pavilion. Numerous members of the community were present during the vigil. Among those present were Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja, Sen. Joseph M. Mendiola, local historian Don Farrell, Tinian Municipal Council chair Edwin Aldan, and vice chair Jude Hofschneider.

The ceremony was launched by the master of ceremonies, James M. Mendiola Jr., who is executive director for the 10th Tinian Municipal Council. Guest speakers included Farrell and Borja.

Vice chair Hofschneider read aloud the letter that was sent by the mayor of Hiroshima to the people of Tinian.

The ceremony was concluded by the launching of 200 floating lanterns at the Tinian Marina. The lanterns were handmade by people from the Tinian Municipal Council and the Tinian Youth Center. The floating lantern ceremony was a reproduction of the lantern ceremony held on Hiroshima.

In the Japanese custom, setting off lanterns on a river is a way of sending off the souls of the deceased. Having the lanterns launched on the shore of Tinian is a symbolic gesture as it was the takeoff point for the atomic bombs. Those present sat in silence as the lanterns were set off. The water reflected the faint glow of the candle lit lanterns.

The community of Tinian, along with the numerous government and private establishments, aided in setting up this event. This included the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Community Outreach, Tinian Joint Legislative Delegation, Tinian Youth Center, Marianas Visitors Authority, Department of Public Safety, and the municipal council.

Preparations for next year’s ceremony are already underway so that another successful ceremony will take place. (Jaimie K. Sanchez-Barcinas)