Bruce: I just got this note from Yutaka. I think it indicates the significance of this effort:
Hello Mr. Abele.
I have attached the photo of ASAHI-shimbun newspaper.
My name is on with so big character, Wow.
—
ASAKURA adopted following episodes into his article, that omitted in English version.
Indeed these affect to Japanese mind deeply, especially to young or women, I think.
These kind of stories are so popular in Japan but now they realize the situation was the same in US.
I think ASAKURA may have a lover or women colleague. Perhaps few modern and young Japanese men believe their lover will be single and keep mementos for more than half century.
from http://www.999info.net/Jim.pdf page.15
1.
Mrs. Nellie Waddell’s letter from St Louis, Illinois
“I sit up late thinking every time the door bell rings it might be my son coming home.”
2.
Mary M. Channell’s letter from Revere, MA
“I am not as brave and strong as American women are supposed to be.”
from Grunion Blog, Kitty Fleischman’s post
3.
Evelyn Switzer’s story
“Uncharacteristically, Evelyn snapped at the opportunity to see where Ken had spent his last days.”
“Evelyn put together a little box with a pair of tiny wooden shoes Ken had brought her from Holland in happier times, and Evelyn dropped the little box into the Bering Sea .”
–
ASAKURA did good job as professional.
For these years I was only one agent to represent Japanese, now TOSHI came, next ASAKURA. And now the matter is shared with million Japanese. I feel so much relief.
Sure the crews on the seabed are calling so strongly. The survey must accomplish great results.
Thank you very much for having interest to the Japanese ships and sailors, dead and forgotten.
Sincerely Yutaka Iwasaki
Aug. 18, 2007
From Kale after he showed the ASAHI-shimbun newspaper article to Toshi
Thanks for sending the article. I know Toshi appreciates it. He looked at it and said Oh My God is big!
I think the winds in the next few days should be keeping ash from Pavlof away from Adak. It is a ways away too.
Bruce: Several new photos from the Aquila
Thank you Yutaka-san for posting those additional comments. They didn’t appear in the on-line Japanese version of the article, unfortunately. What a wonderful addition to the article! I agree, the devotion of the wives and fiancees and families is very touching.
Judy
Just a note- Nellie Waddell was my great-grandmother and was the mother of Paul Banes.
I have a question for Yutaka- the English version of the Japanese article was more about the Grunion than any of the Japanese ships. I know that is the reason for the search but I would have thought there would have been more about the Japanese crews in a Japanese newspaper- have there been any other articles along those lines? Surely their families would be just as interested as the Grunion families?