Two Old Men and a Father’s Day Anguish
KOJI, A MAN WHO HAD FAMILY AFFECTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PACIFIC – TAKE THE TIME TO BROWSE THROUGH HIS SITE – CHECK OUT THE CATEGORY, ‘WORLD WAR II AND MY FAMILY’ FOR SOME VERY INTERESTING INFORMATION AND PHOTOS – ENJOY!!
It was Monday, Valentines’ Day 2001. My wife was five months pregnant at the time we moved into this wonderful neighborhood smothered in US Naval glory. After I came back from work the next day, she told me a kind old man stopped her as she was wheeling out the trash bin. She said he hobbled from across our quiet, peppercorn lined street then kindly wheeled them out for her.
I found out the “old man” was a World War II combat vet. Worse yet, he was a sailor in the Pacific – he fought the Japanese in World War II.
“Holy crap,” flashed through my mind, “What if he finds out we’re Japanese?”
Twelve years later, I was honored to have been a pallbearer at his funeral.
I was so far off base about my first thoughts on Old Man Jack that even George Burns could have picked me…
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Posted on August 30, 2014, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged Army, family history, History, Japan, Military, nostalgia, Tributes, USA, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 13 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
A damn sad fascinating story Gp, a very great man in many respects.
Nice to see his life was also touched by his being a Freemason.
That says a lot for a mans integrity.
Ian
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I wanted to post Koji’s family story, but he said it was too long. I wanted to show to people how the war affected both sides of the Pacific. If you have time some day, check his first posts out – amazing photos too. Thanks for reading and commenting, Ian. You’re a true friend.
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That was an amazing and sensitively told story.
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Thank you, Cindy, for saying so and I’ll be certain to let Koji knows it too.
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A great choice to reblog, GP.
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Thanks, Ann. Koji is a good friend.
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I read Koji’s amazing story and commented that he told it with great sensitivity. The horror of war knows no boundaries.
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I know what you mean, Carol, and that’s what I try to emphasis in some of the posts. The war didn’t just cause the US pain, so many others were going through the same anguish. I’m very happy to hear you read the story and understand, thank you.
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Gpcox, Happy Labor Day weekend!! And truly, you are too kind… Thank you! As soon as a I get off this wretched smartphone and return home, I should get to the blogs!
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Most assuredly – it was all my pleasure!! Have a wonderful weekend yourself!! 😉
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Great story, GP. I read it twice.
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That’s terrific, Jacqui. I’m certain that will make Koji very happy; these are two men who have made an impact on his life.
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That’s about as gruesome a tale as I’ve ever read. Horrific but necessary tasks had to be done by somebody. It’s amazing that two of the people involved came together at a Fathers’ Day meal.
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