Day 2--Speak for the World to Hear

8:15AM
What do you usually do at eight fifteen in the morning? On your way to school, on your way to office, or are you still in bed? It was at 8:15 Monday, August 6th,1945, the first atomic bomb went off in Hiroshima without any previous notification. No matter when they were, the citizens in Hiroshima experienced the cruelest tragedy in human history.

The Friendly Victim of Atomic Bomb
She was waiting for bus to the hospital when we saw her at the bus stop in front of Hiroshima Youth Hostel Saturday morning, the 17th of May. She has two caners, but she was determined to live on. When we told her that we were from Taiwan, she was happy to tell us she had been to Taiwan twice and she would like to see Taiwan again. The first atomic bomb went off 63 years ago, but there are still many victims in Hiroshima. I wish they all have positive attitudes toward life like the lady we met. We were so much charged after we exchanged our addresses and said goodbye to the friendly lady victim of atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

Speak for the World to Hear
After visiting Hiroshima castle and Hiroshima Peace Memorial, we arrived at the conference venue at 11:30 this morning. Toastmaster Bunzo Suzuki greeted us and guided us to register as the early birds. We felt immediately welcome by Toastmasters of District 76. In addition to the orderly conference, I was impressed by the theme of the conference--Speak for the World to Hear. Three hundred toastmasters got together to enjoy the great conference hosted by Hiroshima Toastmasters Club. I wish more toastmasters were with us. No matter the keynote speakers or the speech contestants, they all echoed the importance of voicing out in their speeches. I was overwhelmed by the voice for peace at D76 Spring Conference 2008 in Hiroshima.

The Success of Peace
Many thanks go to the organizing committee of D76 Spring Conference 2008 in Hiroshima to bring together toastmasters from all over Japan to be in memory of the victims of the atomic bombing during the second world war and to stress the peace for all in the world. As Toastmasters members of Success and Peace Toastmasters clubs in District 67 (Gina Lin, President; Emily Yu, EVP; Midori Lee of Success Toastmasters Club and James Hwang, IPP of Peace Toastmasters Club), we felt proud that we could witness the success of D76 Spring Conference in Hiroshima and we could share the moment of success of peace with our Japanese fellow toastmasters.

Congratulations Kumiko Tanimoto
Kumiko Tanimoto is the Incumbent President of Hiroshima Toastmasters Club. I made acquaintance with her last October when she accompanied me to visit Miyajima. As we were so excited to talk about D76 Spring Conference 2008 that we forgot the time and didn't say good bye till nine in the evening.

Before the Spring Conference took place, Kumiko wrote me emails everyday to inform me of the latest conference information of the organizing commitee. She arranged the accommodations for Taiwanese toastmasters in Hiroshima. She registered for us as early birds. She made sure that we would be well taken care of during the conference. She arranged a chance for us to get on stage to deliver a show at the conference welcome party. I was impressed by her dedication to District 76. I was happy to know that Kumiko will be the incoming area governor of District 76. I am sure she will do a great job and many toastmasters will prosper under her jurisdiction. Have a look at photos of Day 2 in Hiroshima.