Thursday, June 24, 2010

Temporary Photo Exhibit Opening Friday

Roger Moore, Photographer’s Mate Second Class in the U. S. Navy during WWII was stationed in the interior of China in 1944. As a member of the Navy unit SACO (Sino American Cooperative Organization), he was working to set up weather stations throughout the interior of China to make weather predictions for the US Pacific Fleet and her allies. At the conclusion of the war, in 1945, Moore and other remaining US troops were taken to the coastal cities of China to take over after the Japanese were removed. Moore was assigned to Shanghai where he was surprised by what he saw. Because of the 10 year occupation by the Japanese, he was expecting a discouraged and oppressed people but was quite amazed when he found an overall positive attitude in the city. Through his collection of photos, which will be on display in the West Exhibit Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, visitors will see the same determination and hope in these people that Roger Moore connected with 65 years ago.


The Japanese occupation of China is without a doubt a very dark aspect of WWII history. However, these photos show the strength and will to survive of the Chinese people. It is truly a moving set of work.


There will be a ribbon-cutting at 1:30 on Friday, June 25. All are welcome at the event at no charge; regular admission is still required to visit the entire museum. The photos will be on exhibit through December of this year.


For a copy of the press release on the exhibit, go to http://www.nimitz-museum.org/pdf/Photo_Exhibit.pdf


For more on Roger Moore, visit http://www.rogermoorephotographer.com/index.htm