Acting Deputy Regional Director Tom Leatherman of the National Park Service addresses the crowd at the 76th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the forced relocation of Japanese American citizens from Bainbridge at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Friday, March 30.

The 76th anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese American citizens from Bainbridge was commemorated with a special ceremony and groundbreaking event Friday.

Other speakers included Clarence Moriwaki, president of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, Ken De Witt, commissioner, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District; Joan Walters, president, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum; State Senator Christine Rolfes; and Darlene Kordonowy, president of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association.

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.

(Luciano Marano | Bainbridge Island Review)