Reflections on Attending the America and God’s Will Rally

Contributed by Yukihiro Saito

Eight representatives of the Unificationist community of Nashville, Tennessee, traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the 40^th anniversary of the Washington Monument Rally on September 17, 2016.

There were three adults, three college students, one high­school student and one middle-school student traveling in a mini-van. It was an 11-hour drive each way. We left Nashville on Friday evening, spent one night at a hotel along the way, and arrived in D.C. after 2 p.m. on Saturday.

It was an unforgettable memory to be able to stand on the ground where True Father spoke to 300,000 people in 1976. We listened to speakers, sang gospel songs together, and united in heart with Sun Jin Moon, representing True Mother, as we listened to her serious but encouraging messages. We pledged in our mind to make True Parents happy by 2020. Although the size of the audience was much smaller than the audience of 40 years ago, we should be a mustard seed of True Parents’ Blessing in the United States.

Here are some comments from the participants:

To be able to be where True Father spoke 40 years ago, when I was not in the church, it is a blessing. History was re-created. The spirit of True Father was there; I think he would have liked to see a few more people. For me, this experience will last for the rest of my life. (Marilyn Modeste, Blessed wife)

The speeches that were read and spoken were very deep and important. I learned some new facts from the speeches. When the people of different religions poured their glasses of water into the big bowl, it was very touching and beautiful. (Tae Saito, middle school)

The musical performances were very uplifting, and I could feel the unity of the audience as we all enjoyed the nature and music together. The speeches were read by different people, but the heart and hope for America were one. (Ayaka Saito, high school)

Attending the Washington Monument rally helped me to understand how urgent it is to bring America back to God. Heavenly Parent and True Parents have been investing so much in America, and it is important that America fulfills its God-given mission. Also, attending the Washington Monument rally inspired me to help the Four Years of Hope become a great success! (Justin Woods, college)

You could feel the energy coming from the event. All the speeches given were very inspiring. One of the most enjoyable parts was the gospel singer, whose deep voice and enthusiasm added so much to the songs. (Nolton Woods, college)

The anniversary rally was truly a memorable one! The live music was inspiring, and Sun Jin Nim left us with a very powerful message. I definitely felt the spirit of True Parents with us as we concluded the event with three cheers of “Mansei.” I am super grateful to Heavenly Parent, True Parents, and the Nashville Family Church for giving me this opportunity to travel to the place where True Father gave his historic speech 40 years ago. (Yuri Saito, college)

I was deeply touched to listen to Archbishop [George Augustus] Stallings’ reading of True Father’s speech of 40 years ago. I felt True Father’s love toward the United States as the elder son nation. Also, Sun Jin Nim’s heartfelt reading of True Mother’s speech taught me how to make True Parents happy as a child of True Parents. As a Blessed family, I have the responsibility of tribal messiahship with which to inherit True Parents’ victory of their 40-­year course in these four years. (Yukihiro Saito, pastor)