Mafia Bombers

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan
   Title derived from a book our son Michael gave us months ago.  Its content discussed military strategies as WWII neared the end.  On July 12,1945 , under the leadership of Curtis La May this city was flattened with incendiary bombs.  One week later neighbor city Fukui met the same fate, rending the population homeless.  The reality of where we are, pierces the heart.  These thoughts are harbored in my mind as we exit …….
   We are welcomed by smiling Japanese children, giving each passenger a welcome gift.  A local high school band fills the air with joyful music.  80 years has passed, have they forgotten but my recent reading has me remembering.
     We visit the Humanity museum, which tells the story of two separate events.  This town rescued 763 Polish orphans in 1920, they were escaping harsh conditions in Siberia ,a result of the Russian revolution, then in 1940’s they gave Jewish refugees (6,000) a visa for life to flee from Nazi oppression.  
    In the welcome center we are greeted by volunteers, we make origami cranes ( a symbol of peace), there is a calligraphy workshop, I learn to write my name in Japanese, there is music - all free, welcome gifts to all visitors.  The people we have encountered on this trip are all warm and welcoming.
The visit here has been thought provoking as conflict surrounds the world once again.
A:  Bamboo, Pine and Plum trees.
Q:  How much time passed between the bombing here and the wars end?
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Comments

Annie
2023-10-18

War brings out the worst in people. Unfortunately, many innocent civilians are caught in the middle of the horror. It is sad to think that the ancestors of these kind and welcoming people suffered so horribly at the hands of Americans. I am loving the current hat choice of Charles... He is a handsome samurai! It is so funny that I found myself looking for Charles in the video of the dancing people!!!

Dotti
2023-10-19

I love your cranes. A project to teach the golf ladies when you return. And I think Charles should wear that hat home. 🤣 And thank you for the history lesson. Very interesting. Safe travels. XO

Stephen
2023-10-21

Its sad to hear about that and sad the same things continue on today. 3 Months.

Michael
2023-10-22

Interesting about the Jewish refugees considering their siding with the Germans at this time. I thought about the book and the fire bombings often when there. How much the world has changed yet still remains the same…

2025-02-12

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