Truman grandson believes grandfather regretted destruction of A-bombings, vows to convey reality of A-bombed cities
Aug. 21, 2012
by Masaki Kadowaki, Staff Writer
Clifton Truman Daniel, 55, the grandson of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman, the man who ordered the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, attended the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6 and mourned the loss of life. It was the first time Mr. Daniel, a resident of Chicago and a journalist, has attended the annual observance in Hiroshima. After returning home, he plans to write about his experience of the two A-bombed cities and convey these impressions to others in the United States.
At 8:15 a.m., when the Peace Bell tolled, Mr. Daniel lowered his chin and closed his eyes. Next to him was Ari Mayer Beser, 24, a resident of Los Angeles and the grandson of the only American serviceman to fly on both planes that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their hands were joined throughout the silent prayer.
After the ceremony, Mr. Daniel made mention of the many lives that were lost and how a beautiful city disappeared that day. In the afternoon, he took part in an event held at Hiroshima Jogakuin High School, located in Naka Ward. He addressed some 90 young people from Japan, the United States, and South Korea, saying that nuclear weapons should never be used again, and appealing for people to work together to realize a more peaceful world.
After the war, the former president did not pass judgment on the bombings. As a student, Mr. Daniel learned from his reading that different nations hold different views with regard to the A-bomb attacks. In this light, Mr. Truman’s grandson said that he cannot pass judgment, either. But he added that he had heard his grandfather was horrified by the destruction caused by the bombs, and regretted that aspect of the attacks.
Twelve years ago Mr. Daniel read the story of Sadako Sasaki. He was moved by the life of the young Japanese girl, who was exposed to the atomic bomb at the age of 2 and ten years later was struck with leukemia, an aftereffect of the bomb’s radiation. Despite folding hundreds of paper cranes in the hospital, believing this would make her well again, Sadako died when she was 12. Sadako’s older brother Masahiro Sasaki, 71, who now lives in Fukuoka Prefecture, came to be acquainted with Mr. Daniel and suggested that he visit Japan. Mr. Daniel felt that he had a duty to learn about the reality of the atomic bombings and put this in writing, so he summoned the will to bear the anger of the A-bomb survivors. Accepting Mr. Sasaki’s invitation, he prepared for the journey to Japan.
Since arriving in Japan on August 3, Mr. Daniel has listened to the accounts of some 20 survivors. One of them gave him seeds from an A-bombed aogiri tree, or Chinese parasol tree, that stands in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. As a gesture of friendship, Mr. Daniel said that he will plant the seeds on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, established by his grandfather in the state of Missouri. He also plans to visit his grandfather’s grave and tell him that nuclear weapons must be eliminated from the earth.
On August 9, the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, Mr. Daniel will attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony held in that city.
(Originally published on August 7, 2012)
Clifton Truman Daniel, 55, the grandson of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman, the man who ordered the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, attended the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6 and mourned the loss of life. It was the first time Mr. Daniel, a resident of Chicago and a journalist, has attended the annual observance in Hiroshima. After returning home, he plans to write about his experience of the two A-bombed cities and convey these impressions to others in the United States.
At 8:15 a.m., when the Peace Bell tolled, Mr. Daniel lowered his chin and closed his eyes. Next to him was Ari Mayer Beser, 24, a resident of Los Angeles and the grandson of the only American serviceman to fly on both planes that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their hands were joined throughout the silent prayer.
After the ceremony, Mr. Daniel made mention of the many lives that were lost and how a beautiful city disappeared that day. In the afternoon, he took part in an event held at Hiroshima Jogakuin High School, located in Naka Ward. He addressed some 90 young people from Japan, the United States, and South Korea, saying that nuclear weapons should never be used again, and appealing for people to work together to realize a more peaceful world.
After the war, the former president did not pass judgment on the bombings. As a student, Mr. Daniel learned from his reading that different nations hold different views with regard to the A-bomb attacks. In this light, Mr. Truman’s grandson said that he cannot pass judgment, either. But he added that he had heard his grandfather was horrified by the destruction caused by the bombs, and regretted that aspect of the attacks.
Twelve years ago Mr. Daniel read the story of Sadako Sasaki. He was moved by the life of the young Japanese girl, who was exposed to the atomic bomb at the age of 2 and ten years later was struck with leukemia, an aftereffect of the bomb’s radiation. Despite folding hundreds of paper cranes in the hospital, believing this would make her well again, Sadako died when she was 12. Sadako’s older brother Masahiro Sasaki, 71, who now lives in Fukuoka Prefecture, came to be acquainted with Mr. Daniel and suggested that he visit Japan. Mr. Daniel felt that he had a duty to learn about the reality of the atomic bombings and put this in writing, so he summoned the will to bear the anger of the A-bomb survivors. Accepting Mr. Sasaki’s invitation, he prepared for the journey to Japan.
Since arriving in Japan on August 3, Mr. Daniel has listened to the accounts of some 20 survivors. One of them gave him seeds from an A-bombed aogiri tree, or Chinese parasol tree, that stands in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. As a gesture of friendship, Mr. Daniel said that he will plant the seeds on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, established by his grandfather in the state of Missouri. He also plans to visit his grandfather’s grave and tell him that nuclear weapons must be eliminated from the earth.
On August 9, the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, Mr. Daniel will attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony held in that city.
(Originally published on August 7, 2012)
