1 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa Commander Lt. Col. Rachel Bowers wipes down a section of the Cornerstone of Peace monument at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa, Japan, June 7, 2025. U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Japanese Self-Defense Force volunteers joined together to clean the park ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.
(Photo Credit: Natalie Stanley)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army volunteers pose for a group photo after participating in a cleanup at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa, Japan, June 7, 2025. The event, held ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, brought together U.S. service members, families and local partners to promote remembrance and community connection.
(Photo Credit: Natalie Stanley)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa Commander Lt. Col. Rachel Bowers lays flowers alongside Japanese and American officials at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa, Japan, June 7, 2025. The event was held ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa to promote remembrance, peace, and international partnership.
(Photo Credit: Natalie Stanley)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army volunteers clean alongside Japanese Self-Defense Force members and local volunteers at the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa, Japan, June 7, 2025. The joint cleanup was held ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa to honor those lost and promote continued friendship.
(Photo Credit: Natalie Stanley)VIEW ORIGINAL
TORII STATION, Japan -- U.S. Army volunteers joined Japanese Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Navy volunteers at the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa, Japan, on June 7, 2025.
The cleanup was organized by the JSDF to bring the community together and to beautify the area ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.
The park is the site where the Battle of Okinawa ended and was created to mourn the loss of close to a quarter of a million people. It reflects a shared desire among nations to promote peace, remembrance and continued friendship.
“It is very somber being here today,” said Lt. Col. Rachel Bowers, U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa commander. “This day gives us a chance to reflect on our shared past and reminds us that no matter what our differences are we can come together as nations and strive to build a peaceful future together.”
The Battle of Okinawa was one of the most intense and bloody battles of World War II, fought on the island of Okinawa, Japan, from April 1 to June 22, 1945.
The effort concluded with a flower-laying ceremony in remembrance of all the lives lost during the battle.
Social Sharing