America's Newest National Park Sheds Light on Dark Chapter of WWII History
In a significant and poignant development, the National Park Service has unveiled Amache National Historic Site in Colorado as the newest addition to America's national park system, marking a pivotal moment in acknowledging and preserving the legacy of one of the ten notorious World War II internment camps that detained Japanese-Americans during a period of national turmoil and prejudice.
Situated near the Kansas border in Colorado's far southeast corner, Amache stands as a somber reminder of a dark chapter in American history, where over 10,000 individuals of Japanese descent were unjustly incarcerated between 1942 and 1945 under the cloud of suspicion and fear.
This historic drawing gives a sense of how many people were packed into the camp in the 1940s. Many of the original building foundations remain. (Park)
The camp's designation as a national park serves as a testament to the imperative of recognizing and reconciling with the injustices of the past.
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams underscored the significance of Amache's inclusion in the National Park System, emphasizing the importance of confronting the nation's history of injustice and striving towards unity and healing. The long-awaited recognition of Amache as a national historic site comes after years of advocacy and preservation efforts by dedicated individuals, including the town of Granada and former Amache inmates and their families.
Japanese-Americans of all ages are physically separated by barbed wires. (Park)
Formerly listed in the National Register of Historic Places and granted National Historic Landmark status in 2006, Amache stands as a poignant testament to the resilience and perseverance of those whose lives were disrupted and upended by discriminatory policies and wartime hysteria.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland emphasized the crucial role of preserving sites like Amache to honor the painful legacy of Japanese-American incarceration during World War II and ensure that future generations learn from the mistakes of the past.
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As America commemorates its annual Day of Remembrance of Japanese-American Incarceration on February 19th, the establishment of Amache National Historic Site serves as an important reminder of the enduring impact of historical injustices and the ongoing commitment to truth, reconciliation, and remembrance.
With its preserved foundations, road alignments, historic cemetery, and reconstructed buildings, including barracks and a guard tower, Amache stands as a solemn testament to the resilience and dignity of those who endured a profound injustice in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.