Annual Peace Lantern Float - Aug 6th

"Letter to Editor"

07/30/2005

Alan Hoffman sends an invitation to attend a very special community event—

Peace Lantern Float
Remembering the
60th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

As it enters Hiroshima, the Ohta River splits into six fingers.  It was to these waters that tens of thousands fled seeking shelter from the flames of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945.  It is here each August that people gather, as they do in Nagasaki three days later, to float lanterns and to remember: never again.

In Rochester we remember those days, not to linger among images of death or questions of guilt on either side, BUT to remind ourselves of what we are capable of doing. With nuclear weapons we are capable of destroying the world’s civilization, or we are capable of preventing that destruction.  We gather to remind ourselves that the choice is ours.

Rochester commemorates the event in an annual Peace Lantern Floating Ceremony at Silver Lake Park.

WHERE:  East picnic shelter at Silver Lake Park

WHEN:  August 6th (Saturday). If heavy rain, August 9th (Tuesday)
7PM: Gather to make lanterns; kits and instructions for making lanterns will be provided.
Sunset: Ceremony and lantern floating

SPEAKERS:  Mayor Brede, Brian Hokanson, Kathleen Hecksel

MUSIC:  Campfire II

WHY: In the 2004 presidential debates, both President Bush and Senator Kerry strongly stated that the most critical problem facing us today is nuclear proliferation and its potentially devastating impacts.

WHAT TO DO:  Check these web sites for information and suggested actions:

Women’s Action for New Directions: http://www.wandactioncenter.org

Friends Committee on National Legislation: http://www.fcnl.org

Physicians for Social Responsibility: http://www.psr.org

WHO:  You!  Everyone is welcome. All ages please come.