Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum Visit

This morning we went to Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum. The museum was in a small building which was a section of a school both before and after the bomb was dropped. There is a new school on the site also, but this small building has been made into a museum. Our guide told us several stories of people who experienced the blast. Many died on the spot where we were. The school was used as a medical center right after the bomb exploded. Our guide for the morning was actually the daughter of a survivor (her mother) so she told us her mother's story also. We all had tears in our eyes. Then, we went outside, and some students came out to greet us. They were beautiful children, and they touched our hearts. It was just after some little boys introduced themselves and let me take their photo (and right before our group photo!) that I was overwhelmed by many emotions about what took place on August 6, 1945 in Hiroshima and the growth and healing that has taken place since. While none of us can possibly imagine what it was like, it is so important that we remember what happened, so that we can make sure it never happens to anyone anywhere in the world again. The people of the City of Hiroshima have made that their mission - to abolish nuclear weapons in the world so that we may have peace. That is part of the reason that it is important to learn about Sadako.
After we left the school, we met briefly with the Deputy Mayor of Hiroshima. She told us about a worldwide organization called Mayors for Peace, which aims to have all mayors in the world join and stand for the abolition of nuclear weapons. She gave us all packets to take back to the Mayor of our towns or cities if they haven't become members yet. I received a packet already addressed to Mayor Henrici, and I plan to share it with him when I come home.

What are some of your thoughts?