Dec 7th 1941 Pearl Harbor....

[aquitori]

Dec 7th 1941 Pearl Harbor....A day that will live in infamy....Here we are complaining about koi shows and koi club politics...

[dick benbow]

I think what is significant to remember is that at the ceremony today were japanese pilots. The same folks who today think and feel differently, than that fatefull morning. In this season of faith and goodwill towards men, it does seem to offer some hope

[bekko]

They called it the "final reunion" - the last great gathering of the December 7th Pearl Harbor survivors. There are not many survivors left and they are getting too old to travel much.

-steve

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow I think what is significant to remember is that at the ceremony today were japanese pilots. The same folks who today think and feel differently, than that fatefull morning. In this season of faith and goodwill towards men, it does seem to offer some hope

your post reminded me of my dear father – so, thank you. In that spirit, I thought I might offer this personal anecdote.

My father flew P-51 Mustangs in World War II. He served several tours in the China-Burma-India Theater and was promoted to Group Leader after his boss was shot down, captured and inadvertently killed when the ship he was being transported on was sunk by Allied forces.

Fast forward to the 1970’s. Out of the blue Dad was contacted by a researcher from Japan whose hobby was reuniting paired participants from those long ago dogfights. He had the Japanese fighter pilot who’d shot Dad’s boss down and was looking for the American pilot. Could my Dad help arrange this?

I was young enough and foolish enough to think that Dad, a retired Major General and grand old warhorse, would be outraged – that was not the case. He explained he’d long ago made peace with the fact that most of the pilots he dueled unto death over the CBI jungles were professionals doing the same job he was, for many of the same reasons, and just happened to be on the other side.

Now the Japanese fighter pilot had a son who owned a fine Japanese restaurant here in Southern California, where the researcher staged a meeting to bring both sides together. Face to face, thirty years later.

I was humbled to be able to attend the reunion and to see these two fine, old warriors share a flask of sake with a camaraderie that few of us will ever understand or experience.

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop your post reminded me of my dear father – so, thank you. In that spirit, I thought I might offer this personal anecdote. My father flew P-51 Mustangs in World War II. He served several tours in the China-Burma-India Theater and was promoted to Group Leader after his boss was shot down, captured and inadvertently killed when the ship he was being transported on was sunk by Allied forces. Fast forward to the 1970’s. Out of the blue Dad was contacted by a researcher from Japan whose hobby was reuniting paired participants from those long ago dogfights. He had the Japanese fighter pilot who’d shot Dad’s boss down and was looking for the American pilot. Could my Dad help arrange this? I was young enough and foolish enough to think that Dad, a retired Major General and grand old warhorse, would be outraged – that was not the case. He explained he’d long ago made peace with the fact that most of the pilots he dueled unto death over the CBI jungles were professionals doing the same job he was, for many of the same reasons, and just happened to be on the other side. Now the Japanese fighter pilot had a son who owned a fine Japanese restaurant here in Southern California, where the researcher staged a meeting to bring both sides together. Face to face, thirty years later. I was humbled to be able to attend the reunion and to see these two fine, old warriors share a flask of sake with a camaraderie that few of us will ever understand or experience.

Wow that is so cool!
Has an article been written? I would love to read it.

[dinh]

Beautiful....

Many thanks for sharing Don.

--Dinh

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop your post reminded me of my dear father – so, thank you. In that spirit, I thought I might offer this personal anecdote. My father flew P-51 Mustangs in World War II. He served several tours in the China-Burma-India Theater and was promoted to Group Leader after his boss was shot down, captured and inadvertently killed when the ship he was being transported on was sunk by Allied forces. Fast forward to the 1970’s. Out of the blue Dad was contacted by a researcher from Japan whose hobby was reuniting paired participants from those long ago dogfights. He had the Japanese fighter pilot who’d shot Dad’s boss down and was looking for the American pilot. Could my Dad help arrange this? I was young enough and foolish enough to think that Dad, a retired Major General and grand old warhorse, would be outraged – that was not the case. He explained he’d long ago made peace with the fact that most of the pilots he dueled unto death over the CBI jungles were professionals doing the same job he was, for many of the same reasons, and just happened to be on the other side. Now the Japanese fighter pilot had a son who owned a fine Japanese restaurant here in Southern California, where the researcher staged a meeting to bring both sides together. Face to face, thirty years later. I was humbled to be able to attend the reunion and to see these two fine, old warriors share a flask of sake with a camaraderie that few of us will ever understand or experience.

[koicluboftheair]

Quote: Originally Posted by lildude Wow that is so cool! Has an article been written? I would love to read it.

I think he did just write it. Maybe he should send in to his local paper each year or otherwise.
The spirit of reconciliation exhibited amongst those who were at one time mortal enemies is surely something to see.

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by koicluboftheair I think he did just write it. Maybe he should send in to his local paper each year or otherwise. The spirit of reconciliation exhibited amongst those who were at one time mortal enemies is surely something to see.

PDF format????

[Brutuscz]

Sorry guys..But it's rare I get negative on this board. Anyone who sided with the nazi's during ww2 is not a fine old warrior...or anything else worthwhile. Plenty of people had the cajones to stand up for what was right, that fine old warrior did not. Any group, country or person that sided with one of the most evil regimes in history, will hopefully get what they deserve. If they haven't already!!! I know this is a Japanese hobby, and we want to be all nicey, nice...but where this was concerned...2 was not enough!!! In case your wondering, I'm Jewish, and lost a large part of my family to the nazi's. So, anyone who sided with them is not noble, decent, honorable..or anything else worthwhile. Sorry if you don't like what I have to say...but I sure as hell ain't wrong!!

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Sorry guys..But it's rare I get negative on this board. Anyone who sided with the nazi's during ww2 is not a fine old warrior...or anything else worthwhile. Plenty of people had the cajones to stand up for what was right, that fine old warrior did not. Any group, country or person that sided with one of the most evil regimes in history, will hopefully get what they deserve. If they haven't already!!! I know this is a Japanese hobby, and we want to be all nicey, nice...but where this was concerned...2 was not enough!!! In case your wondering, I'm Jewish, and lost a large part of my family to the nazi's. So, anyone who sided with them is not noble, decent, honorable..or anything else worthwhile. Sorry if you don't like what I have to say...but I sure as hell ain't wrong!!

Because of WW2 the world has changed very much. We have koi, ther japanese people are free, world technology is zooming along, and one of the best countries has been set straight by this " Sleeping Giant"