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staggering, and the moral implications continue to be debated by historians, ethicists, and policymakers today.

What strikes me most about studying this history is how it demonstrates both humanity’s capacity for tremendous destruction, as well as our potential for healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Japan and the U.S. are on friendly terms today and have been for years, which is a truly amazing turn of events. The survivors of Hiroshima have spent decades sharing their testimonies not out of hatred, but from a desire to ensure such devastation never happens again. Their courage in speaking about unspeakable trauma has been a powerful force for global peace education.

Historical events ripple through generations. The atomic bomb didn’t just affect those who experienced it directly—it shaped the entire post-war world that I was born into. The Cold War, nuclear deterrence policies, and ongoing debates about nuclear weapons all stem from that moment on August 6, 1945.

I guess we all carry the weight of history, whether we realize it or not. The choices made by previous generations create the world we inherit, just as our choices today will shape the future for those who come after us.

Every August 6, as I blow out my birthday candles, I am grateful for another trip around the sun. I also take a moment to remember Hiroshima and say this silent birthday wish—that in the future, humanity will choose wisdom over destruction, understanding over fear, and peace over war. Amen.