Anglo-Japanese Grove - The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK - Remembering FEPOW on Waymarking.com

The Anglo-Japanese Grove contains many dedicated trees, benches and The Reconciliation Stone. The information board entitled The Japanese Section details the planting of the trees.

A very important symbolism of reconciliation, after the atrocities of World War II in the Far East, is located along the Pink Walk here in the arboretum.

Within the Anglo-Japanese Grove lies The Reconciliation Stone. The Grove was dedicated jointly by The Japanese Ambassador and Mrs Keiko Holmes on 15th August 2001 (VJ Day).

Standing amongst European and Japanese Maple trees the symbolism of this area of the arboretum is for the falling leaves to mingle in the autumn consolidating friendship between the two countries. Flowering Cherry trees adjoin this Grove and these are sponsored by Japanese businesses and families.

Mrs Keiko Holmes founded AGAPE which works to reconcile Far East Prisoners of War, their families and the Japanese.

The information board reads:
'THE RECONCILIATION STONE
dedicated on 15th August 2001
first anniversary in the Third Millennium
of Japan making peace and ending the Second World War.

More than 25 million military personnel and 30 million civilians
died in this war
with millions more wounded and destroyed in health.

Around the Stone are trees planted by veterans of that conflict,
former enemies who became great friends.

They hope it will remain for ever the last world war
and that peace and friendship between nations
will be the reward for all the sacrifice.'

Type of Resource: Monument Other from above - Please Specify: Dedicated Grove of Trees, Stone Memorial and Dedicated Benches Date if Relevant: 08/15/2001 Relevant Position in Armed Forces: British and Japanese Veterans who fought against each other in the Burma Campaign and who now have formed great friendships. Nationality: British and Japanese Relevant Website: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   05/15/2014 Alancache visited it