US Representative At Hiroshima Memorial

For the first time in history, the US has sent a representative to the Hiroshima bombing memorial.

A U.S. representative participated for the first time Friday in Japan's annual commemoration of the American atomic bombing of Hiroshima, in a 65th anniversary event that organizers hope will bolster global efforts toward nuclear disarmament.

The site of the world's first A-bomb attack echoed with the choirs of schoolchildren and the solemn ringing of bells Friday as Hiroshima marked its biggest memorial yet. At 8:15 a.m. — the time the bomb dropped, incinerating most of the city — a moment of silence was observed.

Hiroshima's mayor welcomed Washington's decision to send U.S. Ambassador John Roos to Friday's commemoration, which began with an offering of water to the 140,000 who died in the first of two nuclear bombings that prompted Japan's surrender in World War II.

I also covered an interesting talk about Truman and the A-bomb decision, for The Wargamer a few years ago.

By: Brant