Messages from the Readers

Part8


Tim Sabin , USA, 6 June,2002

Recently I visited the Los Alamos National Laboratory site because I heard they had information on quantum mechanics,and other things.
Then I saw their articles about the Atomic Bomb, and thought, "Why would anyone brag about that?" They also had a link to your site.
I feel this now more strongly than ever - that Pakistan, India, the U.S., and all other nuclear-capable countries never use a bomb from their arsenal.
The best way to do this, of course, would be to somehow dismantle ALL these bombs and make it impossible for anyone to create a new one.
Maybe Los Alamos could think of a way to do this...

--Tim Sabin


Brian O'connell , U.S.A, 10 June,2002

Regarding Hiroshima and Nagasaki

I wish to express two things regarding the US attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki...

One, being shame, that we had unleashed such a terrible weapon upon the world... This country exposed a great horror by doing so... The excuses, being many, are still inexcusable... It was a terrible choice, and a terrible action, with terrible consquences...

Second, appreciation... To the victims of the attack, and their families... Why, do you ask? Simply put: One, without their sacrifice, we, the world in general, would not know the horror a nuclear attack would be(afterwards, in nuclear testing, we tested bombs in fake towns with mannequins, we tested on animals, would we have known how bad it would be, without knowing how it affected actual people?)... Two: It showed us, Americans, how far our government would go to win, enough to make us wary of how they would act... To be blunt, I myself was amazed that after 9/11, we didn't see missiles streaking across the sky to Afghanistan (we haven't the most intelligent president, as many of you more than likely know)... Perhaps, due to Hiroshima and Nagasaki's bombings, this was averted... Those who died, saved not just Japan, but the world...

While it is no real consolation to the survivors, and those whose families died there, understand this: If the bombings did not happen, the likelihood of nuclear war would have been higher, we may not even be here to discuss this... It is a horror that nobody wants to see again, it is a loss nobody should ever see again... As an American citizen, I wish to be one, if not many, who thank the people of Japan for helping the world to see how horrible war can be, for sacrificing so many to save many more, and pray that everyone can learn from this, Pakistan and India included... It is time for us to all, as a species, to break away from this foolish exploitation of power and destruction, to stop pretending that everyone we disagree with is somehow inhuman, and to stop playing games that have no real winners...


Paoulina KOLEVA , Bulgaria, 7 July,2002

Hello,

My name is Paoulina KOLEVA and I am Bulgarian. Now I am living in France but I spent 2 year in Japan beteen 1999 and 2001. Sorry that I am writing in English now,my written Japanese is not so good now.

Together with my friends I visited Hiroshima on August 6, 2002, practically two years ago. We were at the ceremony, went to the Museum, etc. but the following experience was the most precious of all.

Thanks to my professor from Kanazawa National University, INOUE HIdeo, we could attend a meeting where the A-bomb survivals presented their testimony of the events. It was a shattering experience.

After that, with the help of a Japanese friend, I wrote down my impressions in Japanese and shared them with people from the anti-nuclear society in Kanazawa.

My message was that people around the globe know about the nightmare of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I believe no decent man will ever question the absolute priority of maintaining peace on Earth. But the message should be kept alive, moreover that it really meant a lot to the survivals to go back to that tragic past and we have to appreciate what they are doing for us. I thank them and thank you for spreading their word.

Peace on Earth!

Paoulina KOLEVA


Saori Fujii , Aichi Japan, 25 July,2002

Nice to meet you.

I am Fujii, a third grade junior high school student . I have read "A personal record of Hiroshima A-bomb survival(Terao Memoir.")

I have been searching for information on A-bomb, as I am scheduled to join a chorus concert on A-bomb.

Only superficial imaginations cannot make me sing the song from the bottom of my heart. As the
terror of the bomb is far beyond my thinking, I couldn't give the reality to my voice. This is why I have been looking for the real story of the survivals. The "Terao Memoir" just fits for it.

The story was really terrible, indeed. In theory, I can't perceive the terror as I didn't see it.
The contents went beyond the theory. What a big terror Mr. Terao had experienced... I felt a chill
go down my spine.

How many victims were in agony... I can't imagine at all, just feeling the incredible terror.

Tomorrow, I am going to introduce the Terao Memoir to my chorus club members. I will sing out the terror and agony of the victims.

I am sorry for telling my one-sided story, but I will never forget the shock forever. Thank you very much.


Troy Collings , New Zealand, 4 August,2002

I live in New Zealand and study Japanese and as a part of our course we were given the chance to go to Japan for 12 days. Myself and 18 others went.
We spent 2 days in Hiroshima and the affect the eternal flame and the Memorial Museum had on me was incredible.

I can still see some of the horrible images when I close my eyes and still cannot tell the stories of victims such as Sadako without pause.

I walked through the Museum in tears unable to comprehend the enormity of it all. Looking around at my friends and peers I saw I was not the only one.

As I read your story I became sad and angry that such a disaster could occur and yet no-one seems to take note of the horror. I have to commend your courage to tell your story, I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for you to reopen such a horrific wound.

Yet it is through people such as you recounting their stories that the memory is kept alive and it
is by keeping the memory alive that people may learn from it.

As long as nuclear weapons exist, let alone an as prolific numbers as today mankind's future balances on a razors edge.

Thank You Mr Terao.

Troy Collings


David O'Hare , , 7 August,2002

I hope and pray,that the world has learned an important lesson.
The 57th anniversary this week MUST tell our world leaders to strive for peace throughout the world and to never use nuclear power ever again to distroy this precious gift of life.


Hannah Meacham ,U.S.A , 17 December,2002

I had been surfing the internet looking for a Personal account of the Hiroshima bomb.I stumbled upon yours and read it.
The way you described the helped bring a new light to my eyes.
I am just a young American student and have only been exposed to what little the History books tell me. I truly wish that The war could have ended differently.
I feel as though more of the Young people of both America and Japan and the entire world should be exposed to what has happened in the past and how it affects the world now, and in the future. Stories like your should be told to everyone, to help the people understand just how destructive warfare is.
the bid you good days and well wishes,

Hannah Meacham Get more from the Web.

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