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Zenkoji holds 22th peace ceremony
The Zenkoji Temple Memorial Service Group held its 22th peace ceremony on Saipan and Tinian last week, honoring World War II fallen.
According to a statement by Pacific Development Inc. director Gordon Marciano, local dignitaries joined Zenkoji members in their memorial services.
Saipan Mayor Marian DLG Tudela, Japan Consul Hitoshi Kikuchi, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio and Willie and Aya Matsumoto of Pacific Eagle Enterprises joined the group for the memorial services.
Marciano said a total of 24 members arrived on Saipan on Nov. 17 and visited the Japanese Memorial in Susupe located north of Mt. Carmel Cathedral.
“Every two years, a Buddhist memorial service is performed on-site,” Marciano said.
On Nov. 18 they had a friendship night party with the people of Tinian. The following day they held the ceremony at their memorial monument at Banzai Cliff.
On Nov. 20 they visited Suicide Cliff, Bird Island, and Saint Lourdes in the morning and visited Mt. Tapochau in the afternoon.
Marciano said that some of the members visited Guam for a day tour on Nov. 21 and the group left for Japan on Nov. 22.
The Zenkoji group was formed in 1973. Its members travel to remote South Pacific islands where their compatriots who died in action remain and at these places they perform a memorial service and recover their remains.
