Volunteers needed Sunday to help spruce up memorial.

Volunteers are invited to gather at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30 to assist with landscaping maintenance and improvements to the National Historic Site in celebration of the unique legacy of community that welcomed the first forcible-removed Japanese American friends and neighbors home after World War II.

Hosted by the private, nonprofit Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, the event is open to everyone to drop by, pitch in and help (please wear appropriate work clothing, gloves and bring your own gardening tools) and enjoy guided tours of the memorial site, some which will be hosted by actual incarceration survivors.

Lessons on how to create origami paper peace cranes will be offered to keep children occupied.

Also in honor of the anniversary will be a brief, informal commemoration to celebrate the broad community partnership that made the memorial site a reality.

The commemoration is at 11:30 a.m. Sunday — the approximate time when the ferry Kehloken departed the Eagledale Ferry Dock with 227 Bainbridge Island men, women and children on board – and representatives have been invited from the National Park Service, city of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District, Bainbridge Island History Museum, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community and the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council.

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is located at Pritchard Park, 4192 Eagle Harbor Drive.