Iowa Peace Network: Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Reflections of 80 Years- observance in Des Moines August 7, 2025

By IPN Coordinator

August 7, 2025 persons observed the annual event in Des Moines of remembering the innocent lives lost in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. That week marked 80 years from the bombings. About forty gathered at the Japanese Bell on the Iowa state capitol grounds. Persons came together and led traditional parts of the program.

Attendees at the commemoration (AFSC/ Krieg)

Gathering music was led several minutes before the beginning of the program at 7 pm. A former Catholic Peace Ministry intern gave the greeting and shared some words on the place we are in. A current Catholic Peace Ministry intern read the dedication of the bell. The bell is a traditional temple Japanese Bell, gifted to the state of Iowa in the - a thank you for sending help in their need.

(The story of the bell plaque at grounds (IPN/ Frantz)

The IPN coordinator then introduced the keynote speaker: the District Executive Minister of the Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren, a historic peace church. Some of his words included the following. Hear these excerpts: “ We are now 89 seconds to midnight. Closer to global catastrophe than ever before. Why? The triple threat of climate change, nuclear weapons, and AI...."

Keynote speaker (AFSC/ Kreig)

"…..So I look at this doomsday clock at 89 seconds to midnight through a spiritual and theological lens. And what I see is the spiritual and material cost of pledging our allegiance to the bomb. The spiritual cost? The numbing of our souls – our individual souls and the collective soul of our nation. A moral injury we bear. Along with a turning from truth and from each other. And the material cost? Plunging ourselves into over-production and over-consumption, and excessive profit taking and making, and a headlong march toward climate catastrophe. And for what?.... you who have come out tonight, are people of faith, hope, courage and commitment to work for a world without nuclear weapons and for a world where creation is preserved and respected. In the face of death, we live as people who have been promised life. In the face of fear, we live as people who trust. In the face of hate, we love. In the face of violence and war we work for justice and peace.. …Friends, we are not alone. We are on this path and we do this work together.”

Next, the IPN Coordinator read excerpts from the annual Peace Proclamation by the Hiroshima mayor. An excerpt included, “One hibakusha (survivor) leader frequently reminded younger audiences, ‘Building a peaceful world without nuclear weapons will demand our never-give-up spirit. We have to talk and keep talking to people who hold opposing views.’ Today conveying the ardent pleas for peace derived from hibakusha experiences is more crucial than ever.”

A poem was then read, “Let us be Midwives,” about an experience in the aftermath of the bombing in Japan. More music was led by the musicians. Songs led were “Down by the Riverside,” and “This is My Song,” before receiving closing comments from Catholic Peace Ministry director. The last elements of the program included lining up to ring the bell and laying on of flowers.

(Top) View of city and walkers up to the bell (IPN/ Frantz)

(Bottom) Walkers leaving the bell (IPN/ Frantz)

This program was planned by a group of peace leaders in the Des Moines area. The organizations some of these leaders represent were also part of the cosponsors. Cosponsors include: American Friends Service Committee, Catholic Peace Ministry, Community of Christ (Des Moines), Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace, Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community, First United Methodist Church- Mission and Social Concerns, Iowa Peace Network, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Plymouth Peace and Justice Committee, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.