Post-war exhibit debuts at base library Published June 20, 2008 By Beth Gosselin 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AB, Japan -- A photographic exhibit at the Kadena library featuring photographs from the Battle of Okinawa and post-war reconstruction efforts will run from June 20 to 30. The exhibit, which features over seventy-five photographs from last month's exhibit in Nakagusuku titled "From the Ashes: Courage and Determination," is sponsored by the Ryukyu-American Historical Society. Photographs will be divided into four sections which show the destruction left by the battle, citizens returning to everyday life, reconstruction and the first Americans on Okinawa. According to Michael Arden, Kadena Air Base Systems Librarian, the chairman of the society wanted to offer a unique perspective of the Battle of Okinawa. Therefore, instead of featuring photos of combat operations, the exhibit highlights reconstruction efforts and the smiles that came back to Okinawans after the battle ended. "This is a whole side to the Okinawan story that people haven't seen," said Arden. "It's a very human side of the first years after the war." This event is the first cooperative effort between an on-base agency and off-base agency for a photographic exhibit. "We are paving new ground for future events which is really exciting," said Arden. The exhibit will be on display at the Kadena Library from June 20 - 30th during library hours which are Mon - Wed 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thurs - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information about this event, go to http://kadenaservices.com/library1/index.html.