Paying Respects to Taiwan’s Veterans

The War and Peace Park in Cijin, Kaohsiungrecently held spring remembrance ceremonies in honor of the many Taiwan soldiers who were sent off to fight bloody battles in foreign lands. Two special ceremonies were organized this year– one on land and one at sea. The land ceremony offered songs, flowers and words of tributein remembrance.

The sea ceremony began in the Red Lantern Seafood Market of Cijin where attendees boarded the ship Glory.  In the past this port would have been the last memory for many Japanese and Taiwanese soldiers, before traveling to the battlefield in far off lands.

In an extremely touching ceremony white roses were cast into the ocean to the distant sound of “Amazing Grace” on saxophone, to remember those Taiwanese soldiers who gave up their lives in battle so many miles from home.

Paying Respects to Taiwan’s Veterans
URL:  http://www.peopo.org/portal.php?op=viewPost&articleId=56658

向台灣長輩致敬

高雄旗津的戰爭與和平紀念公園，日前舉辦了一個遙祭台灣兵的春祭儀式，憑弔數以萬計在多年前，漂洋海外浴血作戰的台灣兵。今年紀念典禮特別安排了兩個儀程，一個在陸地上，一個在海面上。陸祭在旗津戰爭與和平紀念公園進行紀念追思獻樂、獻花與獻辭。海祭儀式由旗津紅燈碼頭登船，民眾搭乘「光榮號」輪船繞行高雄港，在這個數萬台籍日本兵及國軍出征時最後一瞥的港口，在薩克斯風演奏奇異恩典及感人齊唱出征曲樂聲中，徐徐將手中白色玫瑰拋擲向海洋遙寄戰亡異鄉的台灣兵們。