A personal reflection on community, culture, and a very large American flag.

A Rain?Free Start to an Unforgettable Day

On May 9, 2026 at 1 PM, our group stepped off as the third contingent in the Japan Parade, proudly carrying a giant U.S. flag. The weather was surprisingly kind — just a light mist here and there — as we made our way down Central Park West from 81st Street to 68th Street. For a spring afternoon in New York, that felt like a small blessing.