Three trees were planted at Silver Creek Estates, located in Centerville, Ohio. They were paid for by the Homeowner’s Association. A group of volunteers from the neighborhood gather to plant these trees. They were planted in the community for the whole neighborhood to enjoy.This was the start of the fall planning of Cherry Trees.

On Sunday, April 14th, a host of volunteers planted more than 100 cherry trees in three locations around the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Rows of cherry trees now adorn areas near the Springfield Street fence line; near the World War II 8th Air Force Control Tower and Nissen Huts; and south of the parking lot by Memorial Park.

Founder Alex Hara was joined by Operation 1000 Cherry Trees Honorary Chairman and former Ohio Governor Robert Taft plus dozens of members of the Japanese community who work at Japanese companies in Ohio and Michigan.

Speaking to WPAFB Skywriter journalist Amy Rollins, Former Governor Taft commented, “Mr. Hara has come up with a wonderful idea here. He has really put his heart and soul and effort into this program. It’s going to be a blessing for hundreds of years for the people of the Dayton Area.”

In response, Mr. Hara replied, “I’d like to see Dayton known for cherry trees, just like Washington D.C.”

As the second anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 nears, remembrance and gratitude is being shown through a fundraising effort in Dayton, Ohio. Japanese-born Businessman Alex Hara formed Operation 1000 Cherry Trees in 2012 to thank the American people for their assistance after the tsunami in his homeland.

In April of this year, 100 cherry trees will be planted near the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, in conjunction with this project.

“The vision of the project is to have a Cherry Blossom Path of Dayton; in conjunction with the ongoing beautification projects in the cities of Moraine and West Carrollton, to the Air Force Base and proposed site of the Wright Brothers Monument at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 75,” said Hara. “Montgomery County officials have been great advocates and strong supporters of this effort.”

Operation 1000 Cherry Trees is an organization dedicated to raising funds to purchase and plant cherry trees in and around Dayton, Ohio. It gives Japanese and Japanese-American people the opportunity to show their appreciation, while at the same time, planting a seed for friendship that will endure for generations. Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft serves as Honorary Chairperson for the project and Consul General Kuninori Matsuda, Consulate General of Japan in Detroit has supported the project, attending two groundbreaking events in 2012.

November 2012 was a busy month for Operation 1000 Cherry Trees. The organization donated 15 Yoshino cherry trees to the City of Trotwood, who provided 15 more, to be planted around a pond at John Wolfe Park. Three Yoshino cherry trees were donated to the Phoenix Tube Company of Trotwood who matched with three more in celebration of the opening of their Trotwood plant.

Then, on November 21, the first of 200 cherry trees was planted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in a ceremony celebrating the friendship between the United States and Japan.

Operation 1000 Cherry Trees is a project created by Japanese-born American, Alex Hara, to thank America for its rapid response and generosity in helping the victims of the tsunami that struck Japan in March of 2011.

Accompanying Mr. Hara at the ceremony was the 88^th Air Base Wing Commander, Colonel Cassie Barlow; Japanese Consul General, Kuninori Matsuda; Former Ohio Governor, Bob Taft; Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Commander, General C.D. Moore II; and dozens of Wright-Patt Airmen and civilians. Colonel Barlow said, “Today is an example of the best of community relationships, not only between Wright-Patterson and the Dayton community but also between the Dayton community and our international friends. Today reflects, really, the best of humanity, stepping forward to support in a time of need, giving back as a symbol of gratitude, creating a legacy of friendship between two nations that will endure for years into the future.” Planted just south of Air Force Materiel Command, this is the first of 200 trees to be planted on the base as a part of a beautification program.

Alex Hara pointed out that American military forces stationed in Japan were the first responders in “Operation Tomodachi”, translated to English as “Operation Friend.” U.S. servicemen and women cleared the runway of Sendai International Airport so planes could land with supplies and perform search-and-rescue campaigns. In the weeks following the disaster, more than $33,000 was donated by Miami Valley citizens to charities benefiting the tsunami and earthquake victims in Japan.

Consul General Kuninori Matsuda, consulate general of Japan, said at the ceremony, “I believe this gift is an ideal expression of Japan’s long friendship and deep appreciation to the United States for its immediate response following the tragedy.”

“I was so moved by the generosity of the American people,” Mr. Hara said. “I was compelled to do something in return to the men and women in uniform and American citizens who were so generous.”

Montgomery County Commission President Judy Dodge addresses crowd.

“With this iconic addition to our county, the people of our entire region will see this as a mark of friendship and shared future.”

On a sunny July 30th afternoon in Dayton Ohio, Montgomery County Commission President Judy Dodge welcomed local dignitaries, invited guests, and media representatives to a celebration the official kickoff of The Operation 1000 Cherry Trees Project.

Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce President Phil Parker also addressed the crowd before remarks by the Honorable Kuninori Matsuda, Consul General of Japan.

Consul General Kuninori Matsuda

“Montgomery County is one of the many areas which cultivates and benefits from close economic relations between the U.S. and Japan,” said Consul General Matsuda.  “Within the county there are thirteen Japanese facilities, which employ approximately 1,900 local workers.”

The planting has begun!

Consul General Matsuda expressed his support for The Operation 1000 Cherry Trees project and then joined founder Alex Hara and county and city leaders for a symbolic planting outside the Montgomery County Administration Building.

In 1912, over 3,000 cherry trees were presented to the City of Washington D.C. by the City of Tokyo “as a living symbol of friendship between the Japanese and American peoples.” Since that time, countless cherry tree plantings have taken place across the United States to locally commemorate warm relationships with the people of Japan.

Throughout this year of celebration many events are being planned nationwide honoring the friendship between our countries. And various communities and organizations will take part in a Nationwide Cherry Blossom Tree Planting Initiative.

To learn more about Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration Events in Michigan and Ohio, visit http://www.detroit.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/bilateral/SakuraCentennial.htm.