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Commemorating Pearl Harbor Day With 'Blackened Canteen'
by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Cole Pielop
December 7, 2018
Whiskey slowly pours from the charred canteen as it splashes
against the hallowed waters surrounding the USS Arizona memorial.
Sharply dressed men, whose countries years ago were mortal enemies,
solemnly stare at the water as the two liquids meet.
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December 6, 2018 - Daniel
Martinez, National Park Service Chief Historian, (Right) and
Hiroya Sugano, M.D. (Left) pour bourbon whiskey into the
waters to pay their respects to the lost service members
during the 'Blackened Canteen' ceremony at the USS Arizona
Memorial. The blackened canteen, which was pulled from the
ashes during World War II, is seen as an inspiration for
peace. Its blackness and heat-distorted shape represent the
inevitability of conflict, yet its presence represents
eternal hope for a future of peaceful understanding and
reconciliation between former enemies. . (U.S. Navy photo by
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole C. Pielop)
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U.S. and Japanese military members and civilians observe the
annual Blackened Canteen ceremony in commemoration of Pearl Harbor
Day, at the USS Arizona Memorial, December 6, 2018.
In June
of 1945 over Shizuoka, Japan, two B-29s collided mid-air, killing
the 23 Americans on board. The morning after the wreckage, Fukumatsu
Itoh recovered a blackened canteen, bearing what is thought to be
the handprint of its former owner.
Hiroya Sugano, M.D, a child
at the time, whose family lived through the bombings, was also at
the wreckage the same day, but wouldn’t meet Itoh until some time
later.
Itoh, a devout Buddhist, began an annual ceremony to
honor those who lost their lives during the war. It began with a
prayer and was followed by pouring bourbon whiskey from the canteen
onto the crash site. Itoh’s devout fortitude throughout the years
had a great impact on Sugano. Before Itoh passed away, Sugano
promised to carry on the tradition, which he has faithfully executed
since 1972.
“I personally feel that consoling and paying
respect to the souls of all of the fallen, regardless of who they
are, is the first step toward international reconciliation and world
peace,” said Sugano. “I truly feel that my prayer has been
answered.”
The commemoration is a moment for attendees to
observe continued peace between the two nations and honor the
victims of the events that took place during the war.
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December 6, 2018 - Members from
the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force and the U.S. Navy
render a salute to show respect between the two militaries
during the 'Blackened Canteen' ceremony at the USS Arizona
Memorial. The blackened canteen, which was pulled from the
ashes during World War II, is seen as an inspiration for
peace. Its blackness and heat-distorted shape represent the
inevitability of conflict, yet its presence represents
eternal hope for a future of peaceful understanding and
reconciliation between former enemies. (U.S. Navy photo by
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole C. Pielop)
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“I’m so sad that we lost a generation of our most promising young
folks to war,” said retired Lt. Col. Gary Meyers, a volunteer at
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. “But then I’m happy that I see
this appeasement of former enemies. This represents reconciliation
at its finest.”
After emptying the canteen, flower petals
were dropped into the waters representing the lost service members,
“Taps” was played and benedictions said. The boat moored back into
the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and the guests dispersed, each with
a new understanding for how far the two countries have come.
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