Organizer:	New York Buddhist Church http://www.newyorkbuddhistchurch.org/
Time and Date:	8/5/2002 5:00pm-9:00pm
Location:	The Buddhist Church of New York (332 Riverside Drive bet. W. 105th and 106th St.)
Number of Participants:	6

We made paper cranes and chained it by a thread and total 4 lines of about 5 ft. were made. During the ceremony, we hung them on the big hand of the Shinran Shonin statue which was exposed to the atomic bomb radiation. Resident Minister Rev. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki said that when The New York Times reporter asked him about the origin of this statue, he researched it and found that this status was brought here from Hiroshima on 9/11.

Ms. Colleen Kelly (from the 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows) delivered the speech, "Hiroshima and Ground Zero" and it impressed the participants. She said the Ground Zero replicated Hiroshima in New York. Hiroshima is now the symbol of the action of peace, and for 50 years from now, she wants to work for the peace. Her brothers were in the meeting at the rooftop restaurant and their bodies were still missing. However, since she breathed the dust on 9/11, she said, "they are still alive inside me." This comment really made us almost cry.
And also, we heard the message from Yoko Ono. It is 2 line poet:

A dream you dream alone is just a dream
A dream you dream together is reality

5:00pm-7:00pm	Gathered at the Church and started making paper cranes.
7:00pm-7:15pm	Attened the ceremony in front of the atomic bomb exposed Shinran statue The opening of So Daiko drum performance Silent prayer and chanting Paper crane dedication
7:20am-9:00pm	Attended the main ceremony at the main hall Striking the bell of peace & Dance for victims by Ichinohe Prayer by various religious representative & Poet reading Messages from Hiroshima City, Nagasaki City, Japanese Consulate, Japanese American Association Speech of Ms. Colleen Kelly (The 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows)

"Though I have neither skill nor knowledge of volunteer, I thought I could make paper cranes and wished to deliver my prayer for peace. So I participated this. On that day, I not only prayed but spoke with Ny de Volunteer members and Buddhist Church members. And also, I played the big role as dedicator of the paper cranes to the status in addition to hearing guests' messages and many experiences. This is great experiences more than I expected. " (by Yurika Mizuno)
"Making cranes and conversations with many people were great experience and that long time I didn't had. And I thank you for giving me the chance to think of the peace. " (by Eriko Morishima)

"In addition to the last Lantern Ceremony,
thank you for helping Prayer for Peace as volunteer.
I hope you would help us again.

Gassho
Sincerely, Kenjitsu Nakagaki"

asahi.com My Town USA

Mr.Shunji, the volunteer of the 1st summer Lantern Ceremony for 9/11