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Junior Writers Reporting

Peace Seeds: Hiroshima Teens Report on Peace Issues, Part 5

Remembering those who lent support to Hiroshima from overseas

In the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, it was said that nothing would grow in the devastated city for the next 75 years. Along with the perseverance of its citizens, in rebuilding Hiroshima into a peaceful city, there were many people, in and out of Japan, who lent their support. This article remembers those who gave support to Hiroshima from overseas.

Dr. Marcel Junod brought medical supplies and healed hearts

by Shiori Niitani, first-year high school student

The late Dr. Marcel Junod was a medical doctor from Switzerland and head of the Japan delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The people of Hiroshima deeply appreciate his support. He came to Hiroshima about one month after the atomic bombing, one of the first doctors from abroad to enter the stricken city. He persuaded the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Allied Forces to allow him to deliver 15 tons of medical supplies to Hiroshima, and he himself took part in the treatment of patients.

Among the medical supplies was penicillin, which was not available in Japan and had a significant impact. In the chaotic conditions of the time, the medicine brought by Dr. Junod saved many lives. He also spoke out, telling the world about the horror of the atomic bombing.

We can learn from the example of his life. Four years ago, the NPO “MOCT” joined with others in making an animated film, titled “Junod.” In Russian, “MOCT” means “bridge,” and this organization was established to provide medical aid internationally. It now also promotes exchanges with poison gas sufferers in Iran.

Shizuko Tsuya, 59, the president of MOCT and a resident of Higashi Ward, Hiroshima, talked about Dr. Junod, who overcame a variety of challenges to provide impartial support to people who were suffering. “Dr. Junod taught us the importance of delivering ‘medicine of the heart,’ which gives encouragement to the injured,” she said.

The Monument in Memory of Dr. Marcel Junod stands along Peace Boulevard in Naka Ward. Every year on June 16, the anniversary of Dr. Junod’s death, a memorial ceremony is held in front of this monument by the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association and other organizations. I attended the ceremony myself this year and learned that Dr. Junod’s values have been sustained through generations. I would like to be a “bridge,” too, to carry on his message into the future.

Floyd Schmoe built houses for survivors as a foundation for peace

by Chiaki Yamada, third-year junior high school student

After the atomic bombing, there were many people in Hiroshima who had lost family members and homes. The late Floyd Schmoe, who taught forestry in the United States, came to Hiroshima with friends to atone for the atomic bombing by building homes from 1949 to 1953.

Mr. Schmoe and his crew built a total of 21 homes in various parts of the city, including Minami-machi (part of today’s Minami Ward) and Eba (part of today’s Naka Ward). He put up a signboard which read: “To build understanding—By building houses—That there may be peace.” This suggests that the foundation for peace involves building mutual understanding, beyond nationality and ethnicity, through cooperative work. Mr. Schmoe also built houses in Nagasaki and in South Korea after the Korean War.

When the completed houses were given to the City of Hiroshima, the city officials wanted to name the buildings after Mr. Schmoe, but he declined the honor. He said that the houses were built with donations from many, and he was only their representative.

It must have been difficult, at the time, for an American to take such action for the survivors of the atomic bombing. Yoko Imada, 70, a resident of Naka Ward and head of the Society for the Remembrance of Floyd Schmoe’s Houses for Hiroshima Project, said, “Although he was modest, his work should not be forgotten.”

A photograph remains of Mr. Schmoe at work, giving a broad smile. Though he had no experience building Japanese-style homes, he still constructed them in this style out of respect for the lifestyle of the people who would live in them. He demonstrated caring for the people to whom he gave his support.

Exhibition at Schmoe House on people with close ties to Hiroshima

by Yuri Ryokai, second-year high school student

Among the 21 homes built by Floyd Schmoe and others, only one remains, in Nihonmatsu, Eba, part of Naka Ward. It was used as a community center for many years but was set to be torn down to construct a new road in the area. The City of Hiroshima heard the appeal of citizens, who called for preserving the building, and towed it 40 meters to its present location. In 2012, the building was dubbed “Schmoe House” and reopened as an annex to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Among the exhibits are letters written by Floyd Schmoe and a hammer he used. The exhibits also include information about other support lent to Hiroshima after the atomic bombing and the people who developed close ties with Hiroshima, such as Norman Cousins. Mr. Cousins was an American journalist who promoted the “moral adoption” of A-bomb orphans, enabling people overseas to provide these children with financial and emotional support.

The city of Hiroshima was lent support by many thoughtful people during the postwar period. This humble house urges us to remember them.

Junior Writers’ Comments

It had been a while since my last interview, so I found it a little difficult to write the article. It was hard, especially, to shorten it, because I wrote a lot more than the required length. Like Mr. Schmoe and the others, I want to do something to help people. (Yuri Ryokai, second-year high school student)

I admire Dr. Junod and Ms. Tsuya for kindly helping people who are suffering and having a strong will to take action. I would like to live that way, so I’ll do my best, every day, and keep in mind what Ms. Tsuya said, that “The heart is important for people.” (Shiori Niitani, first-year high school student)

Through this interview, I was able to learn about Mr. Schmoe and what he did in his life as well as about Ms. Imada and others who are trying to tell people about Mr. Schmoe. When I listened to Ms. Imada and others, I realized how deeply Mr. Schmoe thought of peace and I envied him for having such strong faith. I would like to be a strong person like Mr. Schmoe. (Chiaki Yamada, third-year junior high school student)

(Originally published on July 14, 2014)

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