My Brother from a Different Mother
I know this heart very well
Souls with this heart will be loyal. Strong Souls must not find compromise on matters that must not be compromised. There are lines that will not be crossed without blood.
I once read every letter on display at Yasukuni jinja in Tokyo. It took long and I will go back and do it again. And then sit under the cherry blossoms. With respect forever.
There is strength in these final letters. Drink from this pure fountain:
https://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/about/will.html
May all brave warriors who have unselfishly given their lives in defense of freedom eternally rest in peace with the sincere gratitude of their fellow countrymen.
Among all of the the Asiatics I have the highest regard for the Japanese people. While they have, at times, followed poor leaders, not unlike all other nations, the Japanese seemed to me to be a people of honor and loyalty, not to mention a people of a highly artistic, innovative and creative nature.
While living in Colorado, many years ago, I met an elderly Japanese lady who was then in her 90's. We became almost instantly good friends and I, 'sort of,' adopted her as a mother figure. She was then living, as one might expect, in an assisted living facility or what some would call an old folks home. She was 1st and foremost a lady at all times and highly respectful as well as appreciative of all my wife and I did for her. She loved my home cooked meals that we often shared with her and I'd include her in as many activities with my wife and I as practicable. We even took her with us on a trip to Yellowstone National Park where we all had an excellent time enjoying the natural scenic beauty which was/is so readily available there. We also frequently invited this little Japanese lady to join us in our semi-regular visits to a local Japanese restaurant called Namiko's in Arvada. CO.
As some of you might already be aware, the U.S. actually initiated the war (in WWII) with Japan. In effect, via the U.S. naval blockade of vital/essential materiel into Japan, according to International Law, such a blockade was a tacit declaration of war against the Island nation of Japan. So, when FDR spoke of an unprovoked attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, he was COMPLETELY and TOTALLY 'full of it'!
By the way that Japanese lady lived to the ripe old age of 103! She was a devout Christian and loved life with a gusto that made it a joy just to be around her! So, I guess it could be said that I had 2 mothers, one, my birth mother, who I never could relate to very much and a lovely, bright and cheerful Japanese one!