Making a vow of peace and opposition to war, the Commonwealth for Prisoners of War and Those Lost in Battle holds a mourning ceremony/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1208050007/

August 5, 2012

Attendants of the mourning service offer flowers= The Common Wealth War Cemetery of Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama City

On the 4th, the commonwealth for POWs held a mourning service for those lost in Japan during WWII, praying for their souls in the afterlife. The service was held at the Common Wealth War Cemetery in Karibo-chou of Yokohama City's Hodogaya Ward. One hundred fifty embassy personnel and citizens attended, pledging to maintain successive generations of peace.

Held by the Commonwealth Committee to Mourn those Lost and Imprisoned in War, the ceremony began in 1995, 50 years after the war's end. This year marks the 18th occasion of the event.

Giving a speech during the ceremony, Pastor Kensaku Iwai of Meiji University Church reflected: "To those resting in various graveyards, I say to them "Please rest in peace.". In addition, I wish for people to possess the bravery to say "No" when the time comes for them to face war."

Representing the Common Wealth, Wing Commander Malcom Selkirk of the Australian Embassy addressed the crowd "Not wanting the experience of how I was treated as a prisoner of war to be repeated, I wish that (the world) strengthens its resolution (for peace)."

Additionally, a male choir made up of alumnus from Tokyo Agricultural College performed hymns in dedication. Students of Yokohama Business School also made a flower offering to a monument of the cross.

Original text:

反戦と平和誓う、英連邦戦没捕虜を追悼/横浜

2012年8月5日

追悼礼拝で献花する出席者＝横浜市保土ケ谷区の英連邦戦死者墓地

第２次世界大戦中に日本で亡くなった英連邦兵捕虜の冥福を祈る追悼礼拝が４日、横浜市保土ケ谷区狩場町の英連邦戦死者墓地であった。大使館関係者や市民ら約１５０人が出席し、平和の継承を誓った。

有志でつくる「英連邦戦没捕虜追悼礼拝実行委員会」が主催。戦後50年を機に１９９５年から始まり、今回で18回目。

追悼の辞で、明治学院教会の岩井健作牧師は「墓地に眠る方々に『安らかにお眠りください』と言うためにも、戦争への方向をたどる時にはノーと言える勇気を持ちたい」と述べた。

英連邦代表のオーストラリア大使館のマルコム・セルカーク空軍大佐は「戦争捕虜のような扱いが二度と繰り返されないよう、その覚悟を確かなものにしたい」とあいさつした。

このほか、東京農大ＯＢら男声合唱団による賛美歌がささげられ、横浜商業高校の生徒らが十字架をかたどった記念碑に献花した。