Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Christmas in Occupied Japan

Rick and his father, Mark, on the beach at Karatsu, Japan, September, 1951 Hello, boys and girls. Much as I love struggling with the problems of being human and attempting to write about those problems in a way that can make us all laugh, sometimes it’s good to take a break and bring in another voice, and another story. This week the guest columnist is my husband, Rick Tuel. A Christmas memory came back to him, and he decided to write it down. Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving, and are taking care of yourselves as you navigate December, a month full of various kinds of social, financial, and familial landmines. But we’ll talk about those another time. Meanwhile, here’s Rick, telling his story of Christmas in Occupied Japan: This is how I remember it, 61 years later. I think it was December of 1951 when the first grade class of us Army brat kids was treated to a visit by Santa Claus. We were the children of the second wave of Army occupation forces in post-World War II Japan. My mom and I arrived one year earlier, joining my dad, who was stationed in Sasebo on the island of Kyushu. In October of 1950 we were moved to a new base in Kokura. After a year in Japan I was already starting to lose touch with many of my early mid-western notions and stateside memories. The Korean War had broken out four months earlier, but that didn’t concern us kids. That Christmas of 1951 we were just excited to learn that Santa Claus knew where we were. Our class was transported in a big Army bus to the airport on the base at Kokura. The airport was little more than a soaked, grassy field by the side of a dirt road. It was a cold, wet day, gray and cloudy, and we were all in our good shoes and school clothes for this special occasion. A squad of G.I.s had been transported with us on the bus, giant young soldiers they looked to us, in starched, pressed fatigues and spit-shined combat boots. We all got off the bus wondering where Santa Claus might be in this wet, empty field. Then what to our wondering eyes should appear But an olive drab whirlybird loaded with cheer! It dropped through the fog and set down with a squish Confirming the promise of each Christmas wish! It was a two-seater helicopter with a loudspeaker and clear Plexiglas bubble housing the pilot and Santa, both in helmets and flight gear. It circled the bus with Santa waving and shouting, “Ho ho ho! Mer-ry Christmas!” After one pass it set down in the middle of the soaked airfield and G.I.s began picking up kids and running us out to the helicopter-sleigh, held tightly in their arms. They ran us out one by one, their energy adding to our excitement. Santa rubbed our heads, gave us each a small wrapped present, wished us “Merry Christmas!” and sent us back to the bus. Our G.I.s dropped us off at the door of the bus as the driver checked us off with a head count. Shortly the whole class was back on the bus, and we were all excited and noisy, talking about Santa and the Christmas gifts we held in our hands. The formerly immaculate, spit-shined G.I.s were grinning and covered with mud. Santa’s heli-sleigh powered up and lifted off, with the Merry Christmases! and Ho ho hos! fading away into the moist gray fog.
When we opened our presents they turned out to be little hand-painted wooden Japanese figurines, about four inches tall, with clothespin heads, round bodies, and flat bottoms so they would stand up. They all had Japanese faces and black hair, and were all the same shape, but each one had a unique paint job, with different colored kimonos. You could play games with them, rolling them across the floor so they’d wobble this way and that, and sometimes they’d roll in such a way that they’d end up standing up. The bottoms were big enough to be marked with what in those days was an all-too-familiar logo: “Made in Occupied Japan.” I wish I hadn’t lost mine.

45 comments:

Don Joseph said...

Beautifully written Rick. It's as if I was standing in line with you. You've always painted beautiful pictures. thanks for this one...

Don Joseph

Harry Gereke said...

Dear Mary and now, Rick, my Dad fought in the Korean War, but I'll have to ask him where, if he remembers. He just turned 90 earlier this month. Later in the mid 50s we were stationed on Okinowa and I have some old pics on DVD one of my brothers had transferred from old 8mm movies my Dad had taken. Will take me a while to find it. Have great day and rest of year.

Kimi said...

Thank you for sharing your memory! What a delightful story. I, too, wish you hadn't lost it.

Anonymous said...

JpyVtl [url=http://chaneljponline.org/]シャネル 財布[/url] ExpPex http://chaneljponline.org/ OcgZjd [url=http://www.coachjpsales.net/]コーチ バッグ[/url] QsaYpb http://www.coachjpsales.net/ WzoXhs [url=http://pradasjapan.net/]プラダ 財布[/url] TcsOyp http://pradasjapan.net/ PshZag [url=http://coachonsales.org/]コーチ バッグ[/url] HchGfu http://coachonsales.org/

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.patriotsfootballprostore.com/wes_welker_jersey_super_bowl]Wes Welker Jersey[/url] emurbursofs
[url=http://www.49ersonlineofficialstore.com/]49ers Super Bowl Jersey[/url] TynckeyncBype
[url=http://www.49ersonlineofficialstore.com/david_akers_jersey_super_bowl]David Akers Jersey[/url] Proonseorek

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post's to be precisely what I'm looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content for you personally?
I wouldn't mind writing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome blog!

my web page :: オークリー サングラス通販

Anonymous said...

It's amazing in favor of me to have a web site, which is good in support of my know-how. thanks admin

Here is my web page: プラダ バッグ

Anonymous said...

It's really a great and useful piece of information. I'm satisfied that you shared
this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.

Also visit my web page :: プラダ バッグアウトレット

Anonymous said...

Whoa! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It's on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

Here is my web-site www.rolexsale-shop.com

Anonymous said...

Very good post. I am experiencing some of these issues as well.
.

Also visit my page :: ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It
really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.


my page - ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

Right now it appears like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

Review my blog post: レイバンサングラス

Anonymous said...

Highly energetic blog, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?


Have a look at my web-site オークリー ゴーグル

Anonymous said...

Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written
article. I'll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I'll certainly comeback.


Feel free to surf to my page ... オークリー サングラス

Anonymous said...

I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the great works guys I've added you guys to our blogroll.

Also visit my homepage ... ロレックス偽物

Anonymous said...

I quite like reading an article that can make men and women think.

Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!

My weblog オークリー アウトレット

Anonymous said...

I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself?

Please reply back as I'm hoping to create my very own site and want to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers!

My web-site: ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

Amazing things here. I'm very satisfied to see your post. Thanks a lot and I'm having a look forward
to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?

Review my webpage ... 激安オークリー

Anonymous said...

It's amazing to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all mates concerning this piece of writing, while I am also zealous of getting know-how.

My web page: サングラス レイバン

Anonymous said...

I don't know whether it's just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your site.

It appears as though some of the text in your content are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this
is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my
browser because I've had this happen before. Kudos

Also visit my homepage 激安レイバン

Anonymous said...

I love it when individuals get together and share ideas.

Great site, continue the good work!

Also visit my weblog :: 激安オークリー

Anonymous said...

Howdy! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

Here is my website :: 激安レイバン

Anonymous said...

Fantastic website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this
article? I'd really like to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Appreciate it!

Feel free to visit my blog: オークリー アウトレット

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write again soon!


Here is my web page; オークリー ゴーグル

Anonymous said...

Hey are using Wordpress for your site platform? I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and set up my own.
Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!

My webpage ... レイバンメガネ

Anonymous said...

Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. That is a really well written
article. I'll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I'll certainly comeback.


Feel free to visit my blog post; レイバンサングラス 激安

Anonymous said...

It is appropriate time to make some plans for the
future and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!

my blog post - オークリー アウトレット

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a superb article… but what
can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get
nearly anything done.

Feel free to visit my page - レイバン 偽物

Anonymous said...

I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information.
Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to
book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per
week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

Here is my web blog: オークリー サングラス

Anonymous said...

Hola! I've been reading your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!

my weblog; vetsforum.com

Anonymous said...

An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment.
I do believe that you need to write more on this
subject, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people do not discuss such topics.

To the next! All the best!!

Feel free to surf to my blog post - renrexx.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Incredible quest there. What happened after? Take care!

Look at my blog: レイバン

Anonymous said...

Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting
anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to this good post.


My webpage :: プラダ トートバッグ

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beach with my children.
I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed the shell to her
ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside
and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this
is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!


Also visit my homepage - ジョーダン

Anonymous said...

Hiya very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog
and take the feeds also? I am happy to search out so many helpful info right
here within the post, we want develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .

Visit my web page; オークリー

Anonymous said...

I believe that is one of the such a lot vital information for me.
And i am satisfied reading your article. However should observation on few
normal issues, The web site style is wonderful, the
articles is in reality great : D. Just right job, cheers

my web page ... プラダ バッグアウトレット

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, it's my first pay a visit at this web site, and article is genuinely fruitful for me, keep up posting these types of content.

My webpage monster beats

Anonymous said...

This is a topic that is near to my heart... Take care! Where are your contact details though?



Also visit my webpage; レイバン

Anonymous said...

Excellent article. I am facing a few of these issues as well.
.

my weblog :: オークリーメガネ

Anonymous said...

You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful sites on the web.
I'm going to recommend this web site!

My blog post: ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

wonderful publish, very informative. I'm wondering why the other experts of this sector do not realize this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you have a great readers' base already!


Also visit my web-site ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

Incredible story there. What occurred after? Good luck!

Also visit my page アバクロンビー

Anonymous said...

It's genuinely very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, so I simply use the web for that purpose, and obtain the most up-to-date information.

Stop by my page :: エアジョーダン

Anonymous said...

I do trust all of the ideas you've offered in your post. They're very convincing and will definitely work.
Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for beginners.
Could you please extend them a little from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.

Look into my weblog ... エアジョーダン

Anonymous said...

I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it
yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see
a nice blog like this one nowadays.

Here is my web blog :: モンスター イヤホン