The 76th anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese-American citizens from Bainbridge Island was commemorated with a special ceremony and groundbreaking event at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Friday, March 30.

Speakers included Clarence Moriwaki, President of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, Ken De Witt, Commissioner, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, Joan Walters, President, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes, Acting Deputy Regional Director of the National Park Service Tom Leatherman and President of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association Darlene Kordonowy.

In the audience were numerous internment survivors and their relatives.

Following the remarks, the survivors ceremonially broke ground on the site’s newest addition: the Exclusion Depature Deck, set to be completed in August.

The Review’s Luciano Marano was there, camera in-hand, to capture this historic ceremony. His favorite shots are collected here.