WFWP CO-FOUNDER’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
WFWP members, among others, gave the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, WFWP co-founder and beloved husband of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, a warm and moving Memorial Service and Banquet on the second anniversary of his passing.
After the service and banquet on September 20 at the Manhattan Center in New York City, WFWP leaders met with our international president, Mrs. Yeon Ah Moon, in an intimate atmosphere so she could convey our founder's message to WFWP USA.
WFWP members were represented from "across the fruited plain" from too many states to mention. Both the memorial hall and the banquet hall were filled to capacity. Notable WFWP members attending were: our International President Mrs. Yeon Ah Moon, WFWP USA President Mrs. Angelika Selle and her husband Bob, Deputy Director of the WFWP UN Office Mrs. Alexa Ward and her husband Thomas, and WFWP UN representative Mrs. Jeannie Carroll. Many VIPs, including former country leaders and U.S. congressmen, attended as well.
The event was blessed with interreligious representatives from the Women in Ministry, Unificationism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. They participated in a heartwarming ceremony in which each representative prayed from his or her own faith background, and then prayerfully poured a pitcher of water into a large glass receptacle as a symbol of unifying their religions. The ceremony was a reminder that when religions truly center on God, they fulfill God's will to become "One Family under God."
Entertainment was both varied and enjoyable. Christian choirs, a synergy of more modern dance forms and ballet, a duet featuring Mr. Matthew Hill and famous pop singer Ms. Kiah Victoria, each performed to the delight of the audience. At the banquet that followed the memorial service, Mrs. Seiko Lee offered two operatic selections.
Two videos were presented. One was with slides of Father Moon's life demonstrating his determination to communicate with a diverse group of world figures historically described as both famous and infamous. The second video was a "mini drama" reenactment (in Korean) of a few highlights depicting the heart and spirit of a true "man of God." This musical was written and performed by a Korean troupe that felt compelled to produce it for the memorial service that took place in August in Korea.
WFWP Leaders in New York
Most memorable to me were the non-Unificationist guest speakers, who testified to the degree of sacrifice and suffering Rev. Moon consciously and willingly offered throughout his life. In addition, these guest speakers publicly recognized the financial and time investments he offered as having been indispensable to the demise of atheistic communism.
There was also a clip of the late President Reagan acknowledging The Washington Times as the newspaper most instrumental in exposing the reality of communism, and being undeniably influential in educating American leaders. Such journalism gave them new determination to take a hard and courageous stand and "Bring Down the Wall."
The Honorable Dan Burton's speech (U.S. House of Representatives, 1984-2013), was notable as well. He recounted the serious support of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, who boldly exposed the bigotry and injustice at Rev. Moon's court trial for supposed tax evasion. He reminded us of how clergy from around the country dedicated their efforts to rally in support of Rev. Moon, as they also had recognized the injustice of the trial.
As a former member of the U.S. Congress, he publicly repented and asked forgiveness of Mrs. Moon for what he called a travesty of American justice. Sadly, "in the land of the free," justice had not prevailed, he said, and Rev. Moon chose to once again submit to an unjust prison sentence, this time in Danbury, Connecticut. This incarceration meant that Rev. Moon was imprisoned in four different countries in his lifetime: North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Coming to America expressly to fulfill God's will to strengthen "the chosen nation of God" had launched Rev. Moon once again into a new wave of persecution, trials, and tribulations.
The joyful tone of the memorial service and banquet, and the enlightened perspectives on how Rev. Moon is seen in retrospect by world leaders as a man of peace, lightened the historical burden we all felt at his passing.
Americans were once again reminded that "In God We Trust" is America's stance, and that, because "with God all things are possible," we have yet the opportunity, as the truth unfolds, to rectify past injustices in our hearts and minds.