During World War II, Ben Wood's uncle, Ben King, was involved in the U.S. campaign against Japan as an Air Force general when he was shot down by a Japanese fighter plane and crashed into the waters of the Solomon Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean. In the nick of time, the Japanese-colonized mono islanders found Ben King and protected him until the Japanese threat was removed. This became part of the Wood family legend, and in the fall of 2006, Ben, his brother and sister embarked on a journey to retrace that journey. Mono Island is located in the northernmost part of the Land of a Thousand Islands, and neighboring Sterling Island has an runway built near the end of the World War II, is the only airfield still in use that can reach this paradise. The island is home to a small village of people who warmly and ceremoniously welcomed the visitors, and there are even a few centenarians on the island who vaguely remember the disasters of the war. Far from the hustle and bustle of modern civilization, there is still a school and a church on the island, and the children here enjoy the natural gifts of the sun and the sea without restraint, and are full of longing and yearning for the outside world. 

 The Flowers of Falamai 

Great heroes and fearless Americans 

You recaptured our beloved Falamai 

The roses of Mono gladly welcome you 

You are our saviors 

When we suffered from hunger and terrible fear 

To our shores you came 

Bringing hope 

Giving us courage 

When sweetly smelling flowers 

Shoot out from the forests of Falamai 

And dawn breaks over Toloki Point 

We remember Ben King and the others 

When you go home 

Take this song of consolation with you 

On our tiny island you won a war 

And our love forever 

A song celebrating Mono Island’s liberation from Japanese occupation by American and Allied Forces during World War II 

Written and performed by the Mono Island Church Choir October 2016