War and Peace Memorial Park Theme Pavilion Introduction
In Cijin, apart from the beautiful beach views, night market snacks, and historical sites, Cijin Second Road features a serene and elegant War and Peace Memorial Park, which reflects a forgotten chapter of history. During World War II and the Chinese Civil War, 60,000 young Taiwanese left their homes to fight; over 30,000 soldiers perished overseas, and 15,000 were reported missing. After the Republic of China took over Taiwan, more than 15,000 troops were sent to mainland China to participate in the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War, with an estimated death toll exceeding 10,000. Only a few hundred successfully returned to Taiwan, while hundreds remained stranded on the mainland, and some 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 completed and opened on May 20, 2009, thanks to the efforts of the Republic of China Veterans Association of Taiwanese Veterans and Mr. Hsu Chao-jung. The park features a memorial hall that displays important historical documents and artifacts, each telling the story of an era filled with political chaos, where Taiwanese people were like unrooted floating grasses, enduring hardship and neglect, and the Taiwanese youths drafted into service were unaware of what they were fighting for or who they were dying for. An image on the exterior wall of the theme hall depicts a Taiwanese person in Japanese, Nationalist, and People's Liberation Army uniforms, highlighting the sorrows and fates of the Taiwanese people of that time. The park also includes a monument, Echoing Heart Square, and a lookout point, as Cijin was the last port that Taiwanese soldiers would see when departing for battle. While the tragic history of that era can be forgiven, it cannot be forgotten. The blood and tears of Taiwanese soldiers may be heavy but serve as a profound reminder to the world of the horrors of war and the value of peace.
