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World War II Commemoration Event to be Held on Tinian Island

Sixty years ago, the world-famous B-29's (Enola Gay and Bock's Car) were launched from Tinian. Their destination? Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which would become the target of the US atomic attack which hastened an end to World War II. Since that time, Tinian, an island located in the Northern Marianas (Northwestern Pacific Ocean) has become a Commonwealth of the United States, as well a prominent historical preservation area for World War II events.

From August 2-10, 2005, the US island of Tinian will be hosting an 8-day Peaceful Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Atomic Missions.

Attending the event will be crews from the Enola Gay and other veterans, including the following:

     - Pilot: General Tibbets
     - Navigator: Dutch Van Kirk
     - Weaponer: Morris Jeppson
     - Scientists and Engineers of the Manhattan Project
     - 112th Sea Bees, who built the four runways used by the B-29's
     - Veterans of the 504th Bomb Group
     - Veterans and Survivors of the USS Indianapolis

Over 100 US and Japanese veterans from this significant event in history will be available for interviews, personal visits and speeches. News organizations, writers and historians are welcomed to attend and gather important facts directly from those who experienced the bombings and their impact on the world.

The calendar of events for this eight-day anniversary commemoration includes historical tours of Tinian Island, memorial commemorations for the atomic missions on August 6th and 9th, peace ceremonies, oral history presentations from the strike crews and atomic survivors, and
other interesting events. Artifact exhibits and photos will be available, reflecting back on Tinian history, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Visitors will be able to tour the Los Alamos National Atomic Museum exhibit as well.

"The commemoration event does not intend to assign blame but, instead, impart history through the personal knowledge and experiences of those that had lived it on both sides of the conflict. Tinian's commemoration goal is to turn 'hatred into hope' through an open dialog of the knowledge of events that transpired 60 years ago," states Phillip Mendiola-Long, the Chairman of 60th Events.

Tinian is a beautiful island with a tropical climate year round. The island is also where Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan are believed to be buried. The island enjoys breathtaking tropical scenery and an abundance of water activities from deep sea fishing and scuba diving to relaxing on one of its remote and un-crowded white sand beaches. Visitors can also delve themselves into the island’s rich historical locations throughout the island, such as WWII sites that include the world famous Atomic Bomb Pits, the North Field Runways, Invasion Beaches, Japanese Hiding Caves, WWII abandoned equipment or perhaps one’s interest could lie in Prehistoric sites such as the 3,000 year old 15’ Latte Stones which weigh approximately 30 tons (similar to that of Easter Island) or the ancient water well used by natives and the Spanish explorers who stopped at the island on regular trips to Asia. Last but certainly not least, one can visit the many prehistoric caves which depict ancient carvings and painted drawings.

All US and Japanese WWII Veterans will be sponsored 3 free meals during their stay on Tinian. Events will be held congruently and attendees will have the choice to attend events of their interest.

More information about the Peaceful Commemoration, a schedule of events, travel information, and more can be found at the web address: http://tinianhistory.org/

Edited by Erika Wright

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