War and Peace Memorial Park Theme Pavilion Introduction
In addition to the beautiful beach scenery, night market snacks, and historical sites, Qijin Er Road boasts a serene and elegant War and Peace Memorial Park, which captures a forgotten chapter of history. During World War II and the Chinese Civil War, 60,000 young people from Taiwan left home to fight, over 30,000 Taiwanese soldiers died overseas, and 15,000 went missing. After the Republic of China (ROC) took over Taiwan, more than 15,000 troops were sent to mainland China to participate in the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War, resulting in casualties estimated in the tens of thousands, with only a few hundred making it back to Taiwan. Some stayed behind in China, while others were captured and became part of the People's Liberation Army. To commemorate this significant historical fact, the War and Peace Memorial Park was finally inaugurated on May 20, 2009, thanks to the efforts of the original ROC military veterans' association and Mr. Hsu Chao-jung. The park features a memorial hall that displays important historical documents and artifacts, each telling the story of that chaotic political era when Taiwanese people, like rootless dandelions, faced a tumultuous fate, forced to fight without understanding why or for whom they were dying. An image on the exterior wall of the themed hall depicts a Taiwanese person wearing the uniforms of the Japanese army, the ROC army, and the People's Liberation Army, highlighting the sorrow and fate of Taiwanese people at that time. Outside the hall, there are monuments, a Heart of Echoing square, a park, and an observation deck, as Qijin was the last port where Taiwanese soldiers of the Japanese army or ROC army had their final glimpse before departing. The tragedies of that era can be forgiven but not forgotten; the blood and tears of Taiwanese soldiers may be heavy, but they serve as a profound reminder to the world of the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace.
