The Battle of Okinawa:
Remembering the Fallen

Reading the names of all and each victim in the battle of Okinawa

All Souls Church is named after the souls who perished during the Battle of Okinawa. In 1945, at the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, and again in 2020, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, All Souls Anglican Episcopal Church held services for the 100 days of the Battle. The names of each of the more than 240,000 lives cut short in the war were offered in prayers for peace. Each name was read out loud, and included not just the military casualties — U.S. Forces, Japanese, Koreans, British and Chinese — but the Okinawan civilians who perished here as well.

The list of the war dead is kept in the chapel at All Souls Church, and by request, the binders were made available again in 2021. Survivors came to find their loved ones’ names and to remember them again in this way. We will continue this tradition. Each year, from March 26 to June 23rd, the binders will be brought into the sanctuary and available for your prayers. You are welcome to come and offer prayers during this time.

The Diocese of Okinawa also holds a special prayer service on Sunday closest to June 23rd at All Souls Church at 3 pm. This service is open to all.

A Prayer for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love:  So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.