For the Japanese of WWII
The jisei, or death poem, of Kuroki Hiroshi, a Japanese sailor who died in a Kaiten suicide torpedo accident on 7 September 1944. It reads: “This brave man, so filled with love for his country that he finds it difficult to die, is calling out to his friends and about to die”.
On March 17, 1945, General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese commander-in chief during the Battle of Iwo Jima, sent a final letter to Imperial Headquarters. In the message, General Kuribayashi apologized for failing to successfully defend Iwo Jima against the overwhelming forces of the United States military. At the same time, however, he expressed great pride in the heroism of his men, who, starving and thirsty, had been reduced to fighting with rifle butts and fists. He closed the message with three traditional death poems in waka form.
国の為 重き努を 果し得で 矢弾尽き果て 散るぞ悲しき
仇討たで 野辺には朽ちじ 吾は又 七度生れて 矛を執らむぞ
醜草の 島に蔓る 其の時の 皇国の行手 一途に思ふ
Kuni no tame / omoki tsutome o / hatashi ede / yadama tsukihate / chiruzo kanashiki
Ada utade / nobe niwa kuchiji / warewa mata / shichido umarete / hoko o toranzo
Shikokusa no / shima ni habikoru / sono toki no / Mikuni no yukute / ichizu ni omou
Unable to complete this heavy task for our country
Arrows and bullets all spent, so sad we fall.
But unless I smite the enemy,
My body cannot rot in the field.
Yet, I shall be born again seven times
And grasp the sword in my hand.
When ugly weeds cover this island,
My sole thought shall be [the future of] the Imperial Land.
From Susannah Willey
https://utterloonacy.com/2023/06/11/the-poetry-of-war-sonnets-going-home/
Home! Going home! I’m going home today. War’s brutal horrors past, I’ve lived to see The happy faces of my family; But I am not the boy you sent away. I am a well-trained killer; I have seen Men die in fearful agony, while I Have killed in turn, so that I might not die. I am a killer. I am just nineteen. I have no other marketable skill. I went from high school straight into the war. Now I am going home, to fight no more. Now I must learn the work of shop and mill. And leave behind the bayonet and gun. A killer, yes; but I am still your son.
愛し国 親、妻、子供 いざ帰国 Itoshi kuni Oya tsuma kodomo Iza kikoku Beloved homeland Parents, dear wife, and children, I return to you!
Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Benjamin T. Ackison – WV & VA; USMC, Pentagon, Office of the Judge Advocate General / Afghanistan
Robert E. Black – Richlands, NC; USMC, Korea & Vietnam, Colonel (Ret.)
David W. Brown – US Army, Vietnam
Dabney Coleman – Austin, TX; US Army / actor
Roger Corman – Detroit, MI; US Navy, WWII / film producer, director, actor
Mark W. Greenberg – Lansingburgh, NY; US Air Force
Joseph L. Greer Jr. – Dameron, MD; MD National Guard / US Air Force / Head of Navy Casualty Assistance (Ret. 30 y.)
Herbert A. Higgins – Brooklyn, NY; US Navy, WWII
Robert J. Petrik – Lyons, IL; US Army, Korea
Larry E. Tripke – Janesville, WI; US Army, codes and translation
Dennis C. Warfield – Ft. Lewis, WA; US Army, Vietnam
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Posted on May 20, 2024, in First-hand Accounts, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Japan, Japanese soldiers, Military, Military History, Pacific, Pacific War, Tributes, world-war-ii, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 125 Comments.
Astonishing to realize that these young men were victims of politics – sent to kill others – because their Leaders said it was the right thing to do – not to defend their families – or country – against any evident threat. Cannon fodder.
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A good point. Thank you for commenting!
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Wow! So many young lives lost on all sides in all wars. Very sad.
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Yes, it is. I can’t imagine what politicians are thinking when they start them.
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It is difficult to pity the Japanese soldiers , but no one can doubt their devotion for their country and Emperor.
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Every dispute has more than 2 sides, no matter how small or large, and each side needs to be heard.
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That is true
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One of the advantages of a holiday is that it allows a chance for catching up on interesting posts, and this certainly is one. While Memorial Day is meant primarily to honor those who have been lost, there are different ways of being ‘lost,’ and the experiences of those who return from war can be just as painful. These lines are heartbreaking, and still true for so many:
“I am a killer. I am just nineteen. I have no other marketable skill. I went from high school straight into the war. Now I am going home, to fight no more. Now I must learn the work of shop and mill.”
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Thank you, Linda, for such an understanding comment.
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Powerful.
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Thank you, Anna.
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great post
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Thank you, Vishal.
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Much to think about on the eve of Memorial Day, GP. So many died.
Your Michael’s tree is tall and proud. I think about your son every time I pass by the tree.
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Thank you for your sentiments, Lavinia. I am so proud to say I know you and Rick!
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Thank you, GP.
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Your father had wise words! We are all human, thank you for this heart tugging post.
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Thank you, Diane.
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Whew! This post gripped my attention. How poignant and so sad!
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Yes, I agree. I felt it showed just how most of the soldiers in that war were quite similar.
Thank you, Yvette.
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Thought provoking words no less. One thing they had, was dedication to the homeland and to the emperor.
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Yes, as many of us do.
Thank you.
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SO, SO, POWERFUL!! Wow…
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I totally agree.
Thank you, Lorrie.
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This is powerful, GP.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You are welcome, GP.
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These men were dedicated to their country through and through but what a stain it would have left on the rest of their life if they had been lucky enough to survive the war.
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Their dedication was honorable to family, country and Emperor, but also fear of their superior officers.
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Heart-wrenching poems!
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So true, Dawn. They were soldiers just as ours were.
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Thank you for this profound tribute, GP!
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My pleasure, Rebecca.
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Excellent. It is possible to write poetry in the middle of war. I guess that’s what honour is all about.
Few people realise how hard the Pacific theatre was. Though I am not as versed as in the European theatre, I sort of have this idea that the Allies had to gain every island back one by one, the Japanese fighting till the last man…
And I always wonder whether we are still ready to fight the next -coming- war till the last man/woman standing? Ukrainians are. But my fellow Europeans? I’m not sure…
Thanks for the post. “GP”. (I should remember your name by now, but I’ve always had bad memory with names. And getting worse with age, LOL)
Take care my friend.
Brian
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I think writing during a war can be a release mechanism for some, just as humor can be for others. I agree about your view on the Pacific War. It was larger, spanned a much larger area and lasted longer. One unit could not support another as in Europe (where they could drive from one battle to another) if they were on another island; and many other reasons.
And GP is fine, Brian. But I do understand you forgetting names – at this point I can be downright embarrassing with my memory.
I appreciate your friendship.
GP
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I hope we won’t soon keep on writing in a massive war…
Take care GP. (Likewise)
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Splendid verse from either side of the conflict
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Thank you, Derrick.
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❤
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Thank you so much for the boost, GP
Best, Susannah
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No, Susannah, Thank You!!
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That’s a fine poem, Susannah. Sonnets aren’t easy. Nicely done.
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👍❗
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All of the poetry in my WWII novel, War Sonnets, were written by Dr. Allen Benton, who served in the 112th Cav. in the Philippines and Japan. He deserves all the credit.
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Their creativity and humanity is very touching.
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Indeed. Thank you, John.
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Buried behind a determined and ruthless enemy were human beings. From everything I’ve read, that rarely (if ever) showed during battle.
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In battle they all become soldiers – both sides and civilians.
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The Japanese war poetry is particularly haunting. In all nations, though, you see a love of home and family. There’s a cut scene in We Were Soldiers that translates the NVA soldier’s writings, showing they, too, had a love for home and hearth.
I highly recommend you catch Letters from Iwo Jima. It shows how often in war that the two sides’ soldiers are far closer than the two (or more) powers running the war.
As Hal Moore said, “Hate the war. Love the warrior.”
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Both are excellent and Hal Moore’s statement is quite poignant.
Thank you, John.
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Thank you for posting this literary perspective on WWII. The Japanese death poems reminded me of the short story “Patriotism” by by Japanese writer Yukio Mishima, which an extremely graphic depiction of how rirutal suicide was carried out.
One of my forner faculty colleges, a retired Air Force colonel, developed a “writing war” course about the literature to emerge from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It was a phenomenal course. If I’d been a student, I would have taken it.
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It would have been nice if the contents of that course were in book form, or some of his students’ work, eh?
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Yes, it would have. She has written a book, “Airpower in Literature: Interrogating the Clean War, 1915-2015,” I would love to read it, but it’s very pricey. (Thanks, academic press.) Here is a link to her LinkedIn, in case you’re interested. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-dougherty-84bb33179/
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Thanks, I’ll look into it!
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You’re welcome!
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We read “Patriotism” by Yukio Mishima In the creative writing class at Ventura City College 30 years ago. It left me with a feeling of wonder.
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I was very upset by it and left the classroom in tears. When I reflected on the experience, I realized that what had upset me so was the depiction of suicide as honorable. My dad’s best friend had killed himself a few years before that, and my dad was devastated by it. My long-term takeaway from studying the story was that there are cultural perspectives in the world that differ from my own, an important lesson to learn.
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Such a wonderful poem of selflessness, GP💕
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I agree, Cindy.
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Willey’s poem was so truthful and moving. I laughed out loud over the unshaved soldier!
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That gave me a big smile this morning, thanks!
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In war we don’t know/hear the soldiers thoughts, very moving. The poem by the 19 year old, very sad. Thanks for sharing.
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Indeed.
Thank you, Monica.
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Heartfelt and beautiful, GP ❤ Our enemies on the battlefield are human beings, too.
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Thank you, Rosaliene!
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I have read some old samurai death poems, but these are drastically different, quite patriotic, rather lyrical.
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Thank you, Dolly. I really need to read many more.
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You don’t NEED to, my friend, but they are amazing.
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Patriotism is perhaps driven to the extreme here, but what be a country without it?
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Thank you, Peter. Very poignant!
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Great, GP! The general’s poem really shows his bravery and dedication. Susannah Willey‘s poem is beautiful. Like you and your dad, I thought of the enemy as soldiers sent to suffer and die by their leaders, just like me.
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Exactly, Tim. Thank you.
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Beautiful GP. Loved your mimes too. 🤗💖😊🪂😘
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Thank you, Kym. Sometime I find a few beauts!
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You are so very welcome and yes my friend, you come across some amazing and hilarious finds! 😂😜🤣
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Thanks!
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You’re so very welcome GP. My pleasure. 😊🙏🏼🥰
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👍❗
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An excellent post, GP. Reminds us that even those that fight against us are still human.
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Exactly, John. Dad expressed that in his letter when he came across a Japanese cemetery on New Guinea.
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Pinpoints the sadness of war.
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They are very touching, and give more insight into the thoughts and motivation behind what most regarded as simple fanaticism. Thanks, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is what happens when the government controls the schools, media and outside contact. We see it today in the Middle East and parts of Africa.
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Father always reckoned the Germans as being soldiers like himself, but, as a consequence of his friends going into the bag at Singapore, and the Japanese treatment of POWs, that view did not extend to the Japanese. He regarded them as products of a twisted society, I think.
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Once their military hierarchy took control of the government, they also controlled the schools, media and outside contact. The citizens only knew what they were told.
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Nothing has changed much, then!
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😕
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I read a lot of stories about the Japanese pride in their nation, their duty, the fight itself. I’m left thinking, except for WWII, we would have been allies.
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We actually were at one point. But FDR’s allegiance to his friends slowly but surely caused a rift that widened into an abyss.
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A very poignant post GP and your father was very wise.
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Thank you very much, June – on both counts!!
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A whole different world/culture those poems.
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You said a mouthful, Paul!
Thank you!
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I think today is a good day for this post, GP
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Thank you, Don.
In today’s world, it’s often difficult to know.
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I really like this unusual post . The poems are excellent and show an unexpected sensitivity that really should not seem so unexpected. Soldiers are people too, no matter which side they fight for. At times, a few may seem to forget that part.
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Just as propaganda works for both sides.
Thank you, Pat.
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Great point, GP. Didn’t even think about propaganda.
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Yup, there’s always more than just 2 sides to any story.
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In the they say category, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
If truth lies, do lies truth? Mindless word play, not for any consideration.
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😵
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I enjoyed reading these fascinating translations. Interesting detail. 20 years later they were making great 35mm SLR cameras.
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Exactly – friends can be made from enemies, eh?
Thank you, Alan.
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And so sad. . .
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War always is – you know that.
Thank you, Joy.
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This is a heartbreaking post of the nature of war. Soldiers are soldiers, no matter what side of the fence they might stand. Thank you, GP. 💙
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From the moment I found my father’s scrapbook, he drilled that into me.
Thank you, Gwen.
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Whatever else one feels, that was a lot from a nineteen year old.
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It shows the character he was given from his parents.
Thanks you, Marilee.
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So very sad. There are no winners in war.
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True, true. I truly do not understand why humans can not learn.
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Thank you for sharing.
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I love to. Thanks, Rachel.
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I wish my Monday Oops cartoon wasn’t the picture wordpress shows for this post!
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As the winners who write history, the dedication of the foe is often overlooked. Despite the infamy of the Japanese Imperial regime, their belief in their cause, despite being misguided, was genuine. This is a serious meditation upon the tragedy of war.
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I learned at an early age from my father to remember that they were soldiers just as he had been.
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Those are wise words.
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Thank you, Ned.
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Thank you.
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Thank you, James.
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