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Shikogakuen group makes annual pilgrimage to CNMI
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- Rev. Masakazu Kawakami poses with PDI president Masanori Takahashi, Pacific Eagle president Willy Matsumoto, and Shikogakuen members who are holding up photos of their loved ones. (Contributed Photo)
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- Rev. Kawakami of Shikogakuen Mission presents a small token of appreciation to Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion. (Contributed Photo)
Twenty-two members of the Shikogakuen Mission group arrived on Saipan last May 25 for their 29th annual tradition of honoring the war dead and praying for world peace in the sacred grounds of Marpi, where many lives were lost during World War II.
Pacific Development Inc. managing director Gordon Marciano said the members held a solemn ceremony at the memorial monument in Banzai Cliff.
“Members of the mission offered flowers, sake, and prayer for peace and those that lost their life during the war,” Marciano said.
The Shikougakuen Mission is a religious organization that started on Aug. 15, 1945. The mission built the memorial monuments on Banzai Cliff in October 1988 and has continued to offer prayers not only for those who perished here during World War II, but for people of all nations who died because of wars.
Rev. Masakazu Kawakami also met with Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion to present a small token of appreciation.
Marciano added that Kawakami also met with a long-time friend, J.M Guerrero, a former Marianas Visitors Board managing director, who was instrumental in the planning and construction of the Shikogakuen monument during his tenure.
Kawakami said the Shikogakuen Mission looks forward to their 30th visit to the island. (PR)
