OBON SOCIETY

OBON SOCIETY heals the lingering grief in veterans and their families while
also providing a path for international reconciliation with former adversaries.

OBON SOCIETY: Defined
In the U.S., we observe Memorial Day, while the Japanesecounterpart is called OBON. This occasion serves as a moment tocommemorate departed relatives and extend goodwill to theirspirits. We adopted this name because honoring past ancestors
and easing the grief of lost loved ones aligns with our fundamental
mission.
OBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733

Rex Ziak- Co-Founder503-741-3733
media@obonsociety.org
To obtain photos call Rex

OBON SOCIETY: Vitals• Email address: media@obonsociety.org• Mailing address: P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103• Phone number: 503-741-3733• Year founded: 2009
• OBON SOCIETY History: How it all began• Headquarters: Astoria, Oregon• Co-Founders: Rex and Keiko Ziak
• Website: www.obonsociety.org• Number of items returned: Over 750• Non-Profit status: 501(c) (3) tax-exempt Oregon
non-profit corporationOBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733

OBON SOCIETY: MediaOBON SOCIETY-related stories have appeared in 500+ news
stories in print and television and Podcasts around the world,
including the following:
The Seattle Times Aug. 2017

WW2 veteran hand delivers flag back to Japanese siblings
The Today Show 2017
WW2 veteran hand delivers flag back to Japan
Stars and Stripe 2019

US airman returns flag to a family in Japan
McClung Museum, University of Tennessee 2021

McClung Museum returns flag to Japanese familyStars and Stripes 2022Family from Utah hand delivers the flag to a Japanese family
Kris 6 News Corpus Christi 2023

USS Lexington journeys to Japan to hand deliver a flag to a family
ABC 4 News South Carolina 2024

Patriots Point to return war War-torn Flag to Japanese family
Consular Office of Japan in Portland OR

Co-founder Rex Ziak receives the Order of the Rising Sun award from the Japanese Emperor

OBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733

Visit the OBON SOCIETY YouTube Channel for a complete list of videos
available to view including these:A Brother receives his lost Brother’s remains: Yosegaki Hinomaru Tsukashima Return

Dr. Mark Shelton from Louisiana returns the Spirit of a WWll Japanese soldier to Hokkaido sisters
Joe Rosenberg & Roman Mars from the Podcast 99% Invisible tells the history of the Yosegaki Hinomaru
Flag
Small Japanese diary from WWll goes home
USS Lexington, Japanese widow, and OBON SOCIETY
Veteran who served in Iraq talks about returning flag to Japanese family
American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor work with OBON SOCIETY to return flag

OBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733

OBON SOCIETY: Photos

Rex and Keiko visit with Caroline Kennedy(above), Prime Minister Abe (below left) andAmerican veterans (below right).

OBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733

OBON SOCIETY: Family Photos

Japanese families benefittingfrom receiving their loved one’s
flag from the American veteranfamilies who are eager to returnthese personal items.
Below- WWll Veteran Marvin
Strombo hand delivered his flag
to the siblings of the fallensoldier.

OBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 282 Astoria, OR 97103 contact@obonsociety.org 503-741-3733