ハワイの「2018 HIBISCUS」参加学生から、フィールド・トリップで訪問したアリゾナ記念館についてのレポートが届きました。


Arizona Memorial
Akari Tsurushima

I went to the Arizona Memorial with my friends as a field trip in the class on February 27th. I really have been impressed. I have mixed feelings and it's difficult to explain, but I'm glad that I could study and experience about war more deeply.
My experience of going to Arizona Memorial give me a visible memory and strong message from a victim. I feel that everyone who has experience of war is a victim, despite his or her country. I also feel that everyone loses in a war and no one truly wins in a war. I believe that peace is the most important for all people so everyone all over the world should love peace, but when I visited there, I've been thinking that a war only makes things worse, but why do some countries choose a war? I think if we have peace, then everyone can be happy and any problem about a country should be solved by discussion. Some people said, "History repeats itself", but I hope that it never happens by just putting my hands together in prayer at Pearl Harbor.
I also think the memory is not just a history. I think that Japanese, American, and all of the people from abroad must pass down stories of their terrible experiences to the next generation forever. Especially, today's youth have to know about the war's history and we have to take responsibility for the history we are leaving. So, I'll study more about history and war and I would like to make use of my experiences here in Hawaii and apply them when I go back to Japan.




Hawaiian History
Yumeka Usui

We went to Arizona Memorial for a class of field trip on February 28.There were many people. When I saw a ship which went to Tokyo to attack actually, I was overwhelmed by the size and force. I heard from my grandmother that my great-grandmother came to Japan triggered by Pearl Harbor attack and met great-grandfather. I knew only the name about attacking Pearl Harbor and I didn't know the details at all. When we lived in Hiroshima, we felt like victims of Second World War. But I went to Arizona Memorial and I thought I was afraid not to know. With the passage of time, people who know that time are decreasing. So I think we bear the future need to study a lot and tell the next generation.
Now, young people in Japan are not interested in atom bomb and war. I was also them. We tend to look away from disgusting things and I thought it was not good. I could know I'm happy now by looking, listening and feeling actually. I can meet family and friend, sleep in the bed and have meals enough. It's not natural. There was a sad past and I could learn I'm here because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It's not natural for me to go to school and study abroad in Hawaii now. I want to learn English in first, sightseeing, business, and communication to take the advantage of this chance. Then I cherish the connection with people. This opportunity made me think so. Thank you for the wonderful experience.