My uncle JR Pickering was at Iwo. He drove a Amtrac that got hit by an artilery shell. He didn't get a scratch. He did just about get killed in a car wreck not soon after he got back from the war. He never talked about it alot but I didn't ask. God rest his soul.
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I met a survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima today
- Thread starter MontanaRifleman
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MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
I appreciate all the replies to this thread. it was a great privilege and honor to meet this man the other day and this just one of many thousands... some who came back and some who didn't.
I know the Japanese did a lot of very bad things to our soldiers as well as other conquered people. But the war ended 63 years ago. I know and am friends with some Japanese students here at MSU and they are some of the nicest and friendliest people I know. I have also visited Japan a number of times and was very impressed with the people and culture as a whole and was always treated with kindness and respect. One thing that especially made an impression on me was while I was riding their version of the subway in Tokyo, that children from all ages, 5 yrs and up, rode on the train unescorted to and from school without fear of harm. Crime was almost non-existent, at least to my observation.
The reason I posted this thread was to share this experience I had with you and to remember the sacrifice and good of this man and many others and not the bad of the Japanese. I don't believe it does any good to dwell on past evils.
I posted this experience in another forum and have got a lot of replies from those who knew other men and women from this generation and others with their own stories. It been great reading here and there as well.
Thanks, and please continue to share if you have any other stories.
-Mark
I know the Japanese did a lot of very bad things to our soldiers as well as other conquered people. But the war ended 63 years ago. I know and am friends with some Japanese students here at MSU and they are some of the nicest and friendliest people I know. I have also visited Japan a number of times and was very impressed with the people and culture as a whole and was always treated with kindness and respect. One thing that especially made an impression on me was while I was riding their version of the subway in Tokyo, that children from all ages, 5 yrs and up, rode on the train unescorted to and from school without fear of harm. Crime was almost non-existent, at least to my observation.
The reason I posted this thread was to share this experience I had with you and to remember the sacrifice and good of this man and many others and not the bad of the Japanese. I don't believe it does any good to dwell on past evils.
I posted this experience in another forum and have got a lot of replies from those who knew other men and women from this generation and others with their own stories. It been great reading here and there as well.
Thanks, and please continue to share if you have any other stories.
-Mark
LewisH
Well-Known Member
Very good Mark, the Japs are a warm and fuzzy, cultured people now. 
But, of course, they are also a homogenous society, so they tend to be less troubled with domestic strife and crime.
We are completely different from the Japs, we're force fed multiculturalism and diversity, which of course, is one of the main reasons we are such a lawless and polarized country today. If we try to encourage a more homogenous society we're called racists.
BTW, the Japs have always been among the most unregenerate racists extant. They think anyone who isn't a Jap is of a contemptibly inferior race...a waste of skin.
But, of course, they are also a homogenous society, so they tend to be less troubled with domestic strife and crime.We are completely different from the Japs, we're force fed multiculturalism and diversity, which of course, is one of the main reasons we are such a lawless and polarized country today. If we try to encourage a more homogenous society we're called racists.
BTW, the Japs have always been among the most unregenerate racists extant. They think anyone who isn't a Jap is of a contemptibly inferior race...a waste of skin.
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
Lewish, I didn't start this thread to talk about Japs or Japanese, and I'm not in the habit of judging a person by his genetics. I judge each man and woman by their own character and actions and right now I'm finding your character and actions lacking. I hope I'm wrong.
I did start this thread to share an experience I had with a hero who participated in a great battle and significant event of our countries history. I would be happy if you care to add to that.
I did start this thread to share an experience I had with a hero who participated in a great battle and significant event of our countries history. I would be happy if you care to add to that.
LewisH
Well-Known Member
Mark , you inserted an apology to anyone who would be offended by the word "Jap." That's what set me off.
I'm old enough to remember WWII, my uncle was an Army Sergeant in the Pacific, and I've talked to many vets of the Pacific War (including the PBY aviator who first spotted the Jap fleet headed for Midway). I would never, ever apologize for using the word "Jap" in the WWII context.
BTW, I'm disappointed no one has mentioned the Japanese-American 442d Regimental Combat Team that fought with great valor and success against the Germans in Italy, and won several Presidential Unit Citations. These men were great Japanese warriors in the highest Samurai tradition...but the sobs that fought us in the Pacific were "Japs."
I'm old enough to remember WWII, my uncle was an Army Sergeant in the Pacific, and I've talked to many vets of the Pacific War (including the PBY aviator who first spotted the Jap fleet headed for Midway). I would never, ever apologize for using the word "Jap" in the WWII context.
BTW, I'm disappointed no one has mentioned the Japanese-American 442d Regimental Combat Team that fought with great valor and success against the Germans in Italy, and won several Presidential Unit Citations. These men were great Japanese warriors in the highest Samurai tradition...but the sobs that fought us in the Pacific were "Japs."
Buffalobob
Well-Known Member
The worth of a man is measured in the greatness of his enemies.
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
Lewish, I did not apologize in any way, shape or form for what this old soldier said. If I thought it needed to be apologized for, I would not have quoted him. I just wanted readers to know that I was not implying any offense or slur to any person by quoting and using that term. There is a big difference.
As a side note, I believe our nation as a whole, over reacted to the Japanese race during that time period which is evidenced by the internment of almost every person of Japaneses descent in our country. These were loyal US citizens who were unlawfully stripped of their rights as US citizens because of the color of their skin and the shape of their eyes. they lost everything and many of them were never compensated for. A US made travesty and disgrace. Our nation has a rich history of racism and bigotry and I have both seen it and lived it. As a boy growing up, I had straight black hair, dark olive colored skin, almond shaped eyes and high cheek bone structure. In short, I looked very Asian and a lot of other kids contemptuously called me Jap and Chink. This is the way I grew up in the land of the free and the home of the brave even into my college years, 30 years after WWII. Ironically, I am almost completely of German descent. No Asian blood in me at all. It was a good lesson though that gave me a firsthand understanding of bigotry and racism and I am actually glad for it. Nuff said. I did not start this thread to go into this.
I said it once and I'll say it again. The war ended 64 years ago. Thanks to this old soldier and others, we won and that is what I am focused on. There is absolutely no profit gained in dwelling on the past evils of our enemies. If you want to dwell there, please keep it in your own house and please don't bring into my living room.
I invite you to join me in sharing my sense of honour and privilege to have met this man and been brought so close to this moment of our country's history.
-Mark
As a side note, I believe our nation as a whole, over reacted to the Japanese race during that time period which is evidenced by the internment of almost every person of Japaneses descent in our country. These were loyal US citizens who were unlawfully stripped of their rights as US citizens because of the color of their skin and the shape of their eyes. they lost everything and many of them were never compensated for. A US made travesty and disgrace. Our nation has a rich history of racism and bigotry and I have both seen it and lived it. As a boy growing up, I had straight black hair, dark olive colored skin, almond shaped eyes and high cheek bone structure. In short, I looked very Asian and a lot of other kids contemptuously called me Jap and Chink. This is the way I grew up in the land of the free and the home of the brave even into my college years, 30 years after WWII. Ironically, I am almost completely of German descent. No Asian blood in me at all. It was a good lesson though that gave me a firsthand understanding of bigotry and racism and I am actually glad for it. Nuff said. I did not start this thread to go into this.
I said it once and I'll say it again. The war ended 64 years ago. Thanks to this old soldier and others, we won and that is what I am focused on. There is absolutely no profit gained in dwelling on the past evils of our enemies. If you want to dwell there, please keep it in your own house and please don't bring into my living room.
I invite you to join me in sharing my sense of honour and privilege to have met this man and been brought so close to this moment of our country's history.
-Mark
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Buffalobob
Well-Known Member
I love to hunt fossils, rocks and arrowheads and out near Topaz, Utah is a shale seam where you can dig for trilobites legally. By profession I am a sanitary engineer so my wife and I stopped by the ruins of the internment camp. There are some of the most stunning examples of brick work to be found in the old sewer manholes. Truly amazing craftsmanship.
I lived near and worked in Poston, AZ. for a time, site of one of the largest internment camp's in WWII . Certainly not our finest hour.
Am looking at a picture of my grandmother as a small girl, she looks most uncomfortable, like a little Sioux Indian girl crammed into white girls clothes, which is what she was I guess.
Can't change whats past, Let's move on. Mark thanks for the post, enjoyed it.
Am looking at a picture of my grandmother as a small girl, she looks most uncomfortable, like a little Sioux Indian girl crammed into white girls clothes, which is what she was I guess.
Can't change whats past, Let's move on. Mark thanks for the post, enjoyed it.
Chas1, No she wasn't ,she was from South Dakota. We just lived in AZ for a while.
I was a kid working for some Viet Nam vet's who had started a crop dusting service back in about 1970. Wildest assed pilots I ever met. Their airstrip was on the edge of town.
Used to eat lunch in Poston every day,spoke to the locals, Not one ever spoke of the camp.
Shame,indifference.ignorance, your guess is as good as mine.
Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread. My point is that. No matter our background, no matter what
injustices that have been heaped upon our ancestors be they black, yellow ,red,white or brown, here we stand,today, AMERICANS! Warriors all!
AND NO i'LL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR WAVING THE FLAG, TO ANYONE
I was a kid working for some Viet Nam vet's who had started a crop dusting service back in about 1970. Wildest assed pilots I ever met. Their airstrip was on the edge of town.
Used to eat lunch in Poston every day,spoke to the locals, Not one ever spoke of the camp.
Shame,indifference.ignorance, your guess is as good as mine.
Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread. My point is that. No matter our background, no matter what
injustices that have been heaped upon our ancestors be they black, yellow ,red,white or brown, here we stand,today, AMERICANS! Warriors all!
AND NO i'LL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR WAVING THE FLAG, TO ANYONE
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
My sentiments exactly Shorty! Thanks.
-Mark
