Truman’s grandson attends Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial
Clifton Truman Daniel, a former journalist and a grandson of former U.S. president Harry Truman, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Saturday. He attended a memorial service to commemorate the 140,000 victims of the bombing on August 6, 1945.
Ex-president Truman ordered the use of atomic bombs against Japan during the Second World War.
“I think this cenotaph says it all to honor the dead to not forget and to make sure that we never let this happen again,” Daniel said, according to the Associated Press.
Daniel’s visit was sponsored by the Sadako Legacy, named after 12 year-old atomic bombing victim, Sadako Sasaki, who died of leukemia as a result.
He stressed the importance of continuing to discuss the legitimacy of the bombing, and increasing understanding between the two countries.
Daniel said in a statement that it was essential for him to know the consequences of his grandfather’s decision through visiting Nagasaki and Hiroshima as he strives to help achieve a nuclear-free world.
He was invited to attend an anti-nuclear forum. While many survivors attending the forum welcomed his visit, some expressed persisting resentment against the U.S.
“It’s a good first step toward healing old wounds. We are looking at this… as a good first step to talk and to better understand each other,” Daniel told AFP.
