A monument honoring our 30-year-friendship with Niigata was erected on January 25, 1995; however, it could not be formally dedicated until we, members of a Galveston delegation, could be present.  On our third day in Japan, our group of 22 performed its most official duty in the island city's first sister city:  the dedication ceremony of the Galveston Sister City Monument on Galveston Street in Galveston Square in the Bandal area of the country. 

Many of Niigata's Galveston Committee, who had visited our Island during our 1995 Mardi Gras celebrating the Orient, came to the dedication.  Among them was Keiko, the little lady who taught us their traditional folk dance.  Grabbing me by the hand, she led me around to the back of the monument.  Proudly, she pointed out her name among the others of the committee, carved in granite.  I thanked her for showing me this symbol of eternal friendship. 

The monument itself was quite dramatic.  Standing just left of center in the Square, an eternal ring of black granite was etched in grey with tulips and oleanders, the official flowers for both cities, embracing the ring.  Touching in its simplicity, the inscription on its base in both Japanese and English read:                

                     "In the state of Texas lies the old port town of Galveston.  Just as Niigata was a port for shipping rice during the Edo period, Galveston was a port for cotton.  The sister city affiliation began in 1965, and since then citizens from both cities havevisited one another, deepening their friendship along the way.  The sun sets on the Japan Sea while the morning dawns from the Gulf of Mexico.  We are one world.  On the occasion of our 30th sister city anniversary, we erect this Monument, give thanks to the efforts of those who came before us and hope for everlasting friendship."

Cameras flashed and tapes rolled as Niigata's mayor, Hasegawa-san, spoke of a desire to bring our two cultures closer together.  He then introduced the honorabel sponsors, Rengo Kai and Nakano Susumu.  Dressed in full festival costume, complete with head bands, the two Japanese businessmen stepped foreward to accept a proclamation and plaque from the City of Galveston.  Our County Commissioner, Eddie Janek, and John Tindel, with the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, did the honors.  Kai owned Galveston Square and served as Shoko of the Bandia area of Niigata Prefecture.  Susumu owned the the bus company which explained our lavish motor coach, complete with chandeliers! 

He also owned the Galveston Restaurant which overlooks the Square.  We had eaten lunch there the day before.  A Bicentennial flag from 1986 greeted guests while other images of our Island, including a photograph of the Hotel Galvez, covered the walls.  The buffet featured a large variety of familiar dishes like egg drop and spinach soup to curry, all served on green and white glazed porcelain that read, "Galveston Club."  I had determined to present him with a special gift to hang amid his other images of Galveston.  After the dedication, in an unofficial presentation, I gave Susumu Mihovil's "Imagine a Romantic Island" poster. 

We ended the ceremony with the Festival Parade, which featured quaint floats with traditional oriental themes and diversely costumed men, each more complicated than the last -- different from out Mardi Gras in their sincerity and tradition.  While we watched the parade from a nearby McDonald's, a male member of the Galveston committee bought a small wooden piece, painted with red Japanese picture-words, and gave it to me for luck and happiness.  Keiko gave me another for a safe journey home. 

At that time, home was the furthest thing from my mind!