I was born relatively long after World War II is over. But, when I was a small boy, there were lots of debris of the war anywhere in Tokyo. My father took part in the war. He got almost killed in Singapore. He was lucky that he could survive since China caught him and China that time released lots of Japanese soldiers saying that they were not the one to be blamed. Chinese government that time said "Give Japan a favor returning their aggression". They also said that "Continuous revenge does not create anything new".There are lots of Japan stuff in US,
Especially in San Francisco, Bay Area
It was my enjoyment to visit US Airbase nearby and talk with big American Marines there. TV was showing "0011 Napoleon Solo", "Superman", "Spiderman", etc... American influence anywhere. I grew up with American Fighter Planes' Plastic models. Gramman, Spit Fire, etc... American Marines who I know were friendly and happy-go-lucky. I did not feel that they are from the country who defeated Japan about 10 years ago that time.In talking with Marines, I really wanted to go visit their country. United States of America. I talked about myself because I felt I need to talk about Fujie's father "Teijiro". It may be difficult from todays young generation why we (Teijiro, Fujie, and I) badly wanted to come visit US and live there.
Despite that all Japanese I knew were afraid of somebody else, their parents, grand parents, teachers, bosses, etc..., American marines I met were full of confidence of themselves. They were attractive people for eyes of 10 years old boy.
Related posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-poem-of-san-mateo-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-poem-of-san-mateo-1.html
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http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
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Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
4 comments:
Hi Shaw .. interesting that the Chinese released some Japanese soldiers. I'm pleased our generation can leave behind the aggression, but appreciate our parents' ability to go through war and deal with it - mostly.
Yes - the English too thought the Americans were confident ..
I'm pleased you were able to visit the USA and now live there ..
thanks for your thoughts -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Shaw, from the stand point of always having lived in the USA. Sometimes we do not always see the things and be thankful for the opportunities that we have here. So glad that your dream could come true for you to live here. It is hard when war comes we as people do not choose the things that our governments do. We are the ones that end up paying the price with the lose of loved ones, friends and more.
Thank you for the good post and a different way to look at things.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"
Dear Hilary,
I do, too, appreciate our parents' effort and ability to get over the trauma from the war and build new community and society.
Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
Dan & Deanna,
US has been always my dream. It is amazing to find so many people felt almost exactly same way I have felt like Teijiro and Fujie. As you say, at the time of war, people do not have choices. Government does. But there are people who did not give up. Interesting, isn't it?
Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
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