To the editor:

The board of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association thanks everyone who participated in our Day of Service and Community on March 30. The organizations and individuals who turned out to clean up the memorial site did a wonderful job and their efforts are deeply appreciated.

The board also thanks everyone who attended the ceremony remembering the Japanese and Japanese Americans who were forced to leave the island on March 30, 1942. While we remember the events of that day and cannot change the history of what happened, we have the opportunity to add new chapters to this continuing story. Seventy-four years after the event, the citizens of Bainbridge Island are adding chapters of community support and solidarity as we recognize how this history still applies to events happening today.

The participation we received from the island is a reflection of the spirit of community we have here and we thank everyone for their continuing support.

BILL NAKAO

President, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association