If you are unfamiliar with the Battle of Okinawa, I highly recommend you do your research. This was one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Pacific during WWII where over 240,000 soldiers and civilians lost their lives. The battle was waged on land, sea, and air and left Okinawa in ruins. To memorialize and pray for the Japanese, American, and Korean soldiers, as well as Okinawan citizens, who were brutally murdered during this catastrophic battle, Okinawa constructed Peace Memorial Park. It is a beautiful and tranquil plot of manicured lawns, intricate memorials, and a modern war museum which are all are perched atop cliffs bordering the Pacific Ocean... A stark contrast from the "Typhoon of Steel" that marred this landscape 71 years ago. Perhaps the most iconic section of Peace Memorial Park is the Cornerstone of Peace Monuement. The names of 240,000 people, all of whom perished during this single battle, are inscribed onto rows and rows and rows of panels. The names of the dead are written in their native language so that their loved ones can easily identify and mourn them. This monument puts in to perspective how many people lost their lives during this conflict. The rows of marble panels seem to stretch on endlessly and the names never cease to end... Truthfully this place is massive and there is a whole lot to see. I could probably talk endlessly about our experience here, however, I think pictures do this place more justice (hence why I uploaded a million). You've been warned!!
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Great post! Love the pictures! Do check out our post of the <a href="http://2bearbear.com/okinawa-travel-itinerary-day-10-shurijo-castle-nishihara-marine-park-cape-chinen-okinawa-prefectural-peace-memorial-park-and-umikaji-terrace-senagajima/">attractions of Okinawa self-drive</a> as well!
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Welcome!We're Kara, Ben and baby Zoe also known as the Lesniaks. We’re a Marine Corps family currently stationed in Yorktown, Virginia after a three year tour in Okinawa, Japan. Enjoy our adventures, travels, photos, thoughts, and life together!
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December 2019
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