High School Student Participates in Japanese Honor Project

On Feb. 28, North Babylon High School 10th grade student Tyler McNamara and social studies teacher Alexandra Belyea visited Comsewogue High School to participate in a Japanese Honor Project hosted by the Suffolk County High School Principals Association. McNamara, along with students from other high schools, virtually presented Japanese good luck flags (Yosegaki Hinomaru) to the Obon Society. 

These flags, given to Japanese soldiers during World War II, were often taken by American soldiers and brought back as souvenirs. The Obon Society works to return them to their rightful families in Japan.

During a Zoom meeting, students spoke with the founders of the Obon Society and learned that these flags are sometimes the only connection to soldiers missing in action. After the discussion, McNamara and Ms. Belyea were interviewed for an upcoming independent film by Bill Donahue, the project’s facilitator. This experience demonstrated how history shapes the human experience and showed the significance of cultural perspectives on war.