From late March to early April, depending on the season, nature lovers and cold Ohioans may rejoice to see the fluffy white blossoms of cherry trees all around Dayton, Ohio.
This is part of the Operation 2000 Cherry Trees Project, a non-profit organization founded by Japanese-Daytonian businessman N. Alex Hara.
These trees are a gift to the community, representing Japanese-American friendship. As the committee of Operation 2,000 Cherry Trees Project notes on its website, “Friendship knows no boundaries.”
In 2011, Hara watched saddened and helpless from thousands of miles away as a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated his homeland, claiming 15,854 lives with another 3,274 reported missing.
“It was the largest recorded earthquake to ever hit the island nation, and became the most expensive natural disaster in world history,” Hara said.
However, he also saw the quick action taken by the U.S..
“[I saw] the rapid response of the American military and the willingness of the American people to donate their money, products, and time to people half a world away,” he said.
The cleanup operation of Fukushima would become the largest peace operation in American military history.
With the support of former governor of Ohio Bob Taft, Ohio Congressman Mike Turner and the consulate general of Japan in Detroit, Michigan; Hara established the Operation 2000 Cherry Trees project, to grace the Dayton metropolitan area.
“So the citizens of Ohio will always be reminded of the thankfulness of a grateful nation,” Hara said.
In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a celebrated flowering tree, embodying transformation and transience, as well as peace, beauty and friendship. The number 1,000 holds significant meaning in Japanese culture as well, symbolizing long life.
“Hanami,” is the Japanese tradition of flower viewing. Like the National Cherry Tree Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., Operation 2000 Cherry Trees Project writes,
“Our vision is to build the Cherry Blossom Trail of Dayton which begins at the Dayton Art Institute [the site of the 1,000th planted tree] and will culminate at Carillon Historical Park.”
The trees can currently be viewed at Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park, the Masonic Temple, Edwin C Moses Blvd and near I-70. They are also spread throughout parks and various other sites in the Dayton area, including the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
The quiet and humble homage made to paid to those who helped after the disaster is expressed on the homepage of their website:
“Thank you, American Soldiers in Operation Tomodachi.
Thank you, Friends in America.
We send you Cherry Blossoms as a symbol of our Gratitude.
This is for you.”
Loura Lawrence, reporter
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