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Grandsons of Bomber and Survivor Forge Unlikely Friendship, Seek Reconciliation
7 Aug
Summary
- Ari Beser's grandfather was on the B-29 bombers that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Kosuzu Harada's grandfather survived both bombings
- The two grandchildren have become friends and are working to promote nuclear disarmament
As the world commemorates the 80th anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in 2025, the grandchildren of two men who were directly impacted by these events have come together to share their stories and work towards reconciliation.
Ari Beser's grandfather, Jacob Beser, was a U.S. radar specialist who was on board the American B-29 bombers that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. On the ground, Kosuzu Harada's grandfather, Tsutomu Yamaguchi, survived both attacks. Though the two men never met during their lifetimes, they both became staunch advocates for nuclear disarmament.
Now, decades later, Ari Beser and Kosuzu Harada have forged an unlikely friendship, determined to continue their grandfathers' shared goal of promoting peace and understanding. The two have visited significant sites in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and are collaborating on projects, including a book, to share their families' linked stories.
Despite the painful history, Harada and Beser believe that reconciliation is possible. They hope that by telling their grandfathers' stories, they can help prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.
