FSMIS (February 24, 2014): On February
17, Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori joined the Leadership
of Chuuk State, other dignitaries, residents and visitors at the Blue Lagoon
Resort on Weno Island in commemorating the 70th anniversary year of Operation
Hailstone.
Codenamed
"operation hailstone", the aerial attack took place on February 17
-18, 1944 on the Japanese naval fleet and military establishment within the
Chuuk Lagoon, mostly clustered to the Island of Tonoas, the urban center for
the Japanese Administration. However, civilian casualties were also experienced
on nearby islands such as Fefen, Uman, Weno, Etten, Parem and Tol.
The
commemoration ceremony took place under the coordination from a working group
formed by Governor Johnson Elimo, with much of the promotion and logistical
arrangement facilitated by the Chuuk Visitor's Bureau.
Speaking on
behalf of Governor Elimo, Mr. Tesime Kofot, Director of the Department of
Marine Resources, welcomed the high-level dignitaries to the occasion and
thanked them for joining at the event, including FSM President Mori, Ambassador
of the United States Doria Rosen, Ambassador of Japan Eiichi Suzuki, Chuuk
State House of Representative Speaker Inosenti Oneisom, FSM Secretary of
Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert, and a few others.
During his
remarks, President Mori asked that those victimized by the bombing be
remembered in prayers, saying:
On this solemn
occasion, and in their loving memory, let us remember and keep in our prayers
all those who perished on this day 70 years ago; that their souls are at rest,
and that there will never be another conflict in our part of the world; and
that our islands and our people will never again be made innocent victims of
foreign wars and conflicts.
He also
commented on the importance of the remembrance ceremony.
As we reflect on the
importance of this day, we all can agree that this gathering marks a ceremony
that is truly for PEACE. For in coming together today, we are not commemorating
a victory of war but the true victory achieved in retaining peace.
Speaking
after the President, the United States Ambassador to the FSM, Madam Doria
Rosen, also spoke on the sentiments underscored by the gathering.
70 years is a long time
in the life of an individual, and there are few who personally remember the
battle fought here in February 17, 1944. But that's all the more reasons for a
remembrance ceremony like the one today. We must not forget history; and we
must learn from that history. Those who died here were fighting for a cause
they believed in. And they deserve to be remembered and honored.
Ambassador
Rosen said the conflict was not Chuuk's battle, and that no one can change that
historical course today. However, she said the FSM, United States and Japan can
focus on mutual benefits moving into the future.
Japan
Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki echoed the statements previously made by President
Mori and Ambassador Rosen on how the United States and Japan have forged a very
strong relations in spite of the countries' adversarial stance in the so called
"Pacific Conflict". He said,
Today,
Japan and the United States are close and allied countries.. Furthermore, both
countries also have very friendly and strong relations- kizuna- with the FSM
which also brings us together at the ceremony to commemorate and pay respect
for those who have passed on.
Ambassador
Suzuki also said that since the war, Japan created a democratic country that
consistently walks the path of peace, and that it will commit to doing so
moving into the future.
In
concluding his statement, President Mori called for attention to the Chuuk
Lagoon water itself, asking that its pristine quality be maintained and that it
be treated as a "sacred place" in honor of those who died there as a
result of the war. He also said that he would maintain his appeal regarding
Chuuk Lagoon, saying, "I will continue to ask for the support and
cooperation of our development partners and friends to help protect our Chuuk Lagoon
from any catastrophic disaster".
Some of the Word
War II sunken ships at various parts of the Lagoon still contain huge
quantities of oil as revealed through various media and studies conducted by third
party institutions.
The United
States Navy Ship SODERMAN was in Chuuk during the time of the commemoration
under the command of Lt. Commander Pinksdon.
For further
information, call the Public Information Office at 320-2548 or email
fsmpio@mail.fm.
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