Now, my take on the last book from my summertime night table reading stack (see my post of July 11, 2021). Daniel James Brown’s “Facing The Mountain, A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II” (Viking $30.00 9780525557401)recounts the reaction of our country at-large against Japanese Americans, in the wake of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – 80 years ago, next month, as I write this review.
As I read the chapters, I couldn’t help but notice, and am awestruck by how much our Black- American and Japanese-American soldier’s World War II experiences have in-common. You see, I am the son of a career U.S. Army man who fought within the 369th Field Artillery unit out of Harlem, U.S.A. I remember him alluding to much similar discrimination by segregation within the U.S. Armed forces, even though the enemy’s bullets did not differentiate race when they found their mark. It would be like if Africa was one country and it attacked us, all suspected African Americans would be round-up and sent off to concentration camps. The misplaced resentment against Japanese Americans also ran so deep, that even after the young Japanese American G.I. proved their patriotism in battle, they were not easily welcomed back home, to the point that one barber shop owner justified it by saying, “They all look alike to me.” Hell, that’s what I heard said about black Americans back in the 1960s!
Brown’s spotless set-up straps you into your seat-belt for a six-part saga of a people mistrusted, who then excelled against all odds. Reading a chapter or so per night, I only closed the book to sleep and with anticipation of what the next Part would describe and I’m challenged here, to validly convey the accuracy and compassion of his reporting the events which led to the battlefield confrontations with Hitler’s forces in WWII. What the doughty Nisei soldiers overcame should be read by every American, no matter your ethnic background – especially in these trying times. One can truly see that, as the saying goes, “It could be a lot worse!” after reading this volume of valiance.
Chapter 19 is a standout exhale and great change of pace. Brown even fills-in the blanks about what happened to the deep-voiced, late, great U.S. Senator from Hawaii, Daniel Inouye, who I noticed once on TV, had only one arm. He is but one of many real characters we meet by name and family history in this true story.
A personal glow came over me when I read page 382, about how one of the 442nd battalion’s assignments took them to Menton, near the French Riviera, where they saw white zinnias among other beautiful flowers. I sold zinnia flower seeds door-to-door in my neighborhood as a boy, to earn prizes depicted on the backs of the comic books I read and had forgotten all about that!
“Mountain” contains many reminders of why history is as important to study now, more than ever, as he recounts how the inhumanity nationalistic madmen, bent upon world dominance, can inflict needless suffering upon other men, women and children – and which we, collectively, must never let happen again on our planet.
Often chilling and painful to reflect upon, but always riveting, educational reading. 5 out-of-five WWII field artillery canons.
1 – It gives me a nostalgic, Fall holiday feeling because, growing up in what was arguably the best public school system in America, New York City’s from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, we had to learn about Christopher (Cristoforo) Columbus [1451 – 1506] and his romanticized voyage in addition to getting another day off from the new school year! First report cards, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving were on the horizon!
2 – Occurring a few days after the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, it reminds me of our collective cultural heritage as Americans.
3 – His voyage proved the earth is not flat! Imagine only knowing Europe, Asia and maybe Africa as the totality of the planet and then sailing east of your world, trying to find a short-cut to the Far East (the Orient) without knowing if you would fall off the edge into oblivion! That was the prevailing geography of Columbus’ era!! He was truly courageous.
4 – Now THAT’s Italian! Even though he set sail from Spain, Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy. Columbus Day is an Italian celebration! Among our earliest immigrants to “the melting pot”, they are one of my favorite nationalities and some of the coolest paisans who’ve given us pizza, pasta, romantic music and not to mention movies like The Godfather, gangsters, many streets named “Columbus” (like “Columbus Circle in NYC), and beautiful women like Sophia Loren! I recall an Italian girl named Marie from my first job at an A&P food store; she used to come in with her mom and I was the sixteen year old produce clerk weighing and bagging her melons, etc. If only I wasn’t so shy back then, I would have asked her to a movie and possibly changed my history – we definitely had some chemistry!
5 – Little Italy. There is one in every major city, but New York City’s is the most famous and where the food in the many restaurants and bars is off the chain deeee-licious. It’s sure to be poppin’ down there Monday night!
6 – The Nina. His flagship, sailed 25,000 miles under Columbus’ command and was his favorite of the three ships. Real name was the Santa Clara after the patron saint, but took the nickname from her owner, Juan Nino of Moguer. I think “Nina” means “the girl”.
7 – The Pinta. Like the Nina, a Caravel ship, light and fast; commonly used by explorers of those days. The most mysterious of the trio, she returned home and apparently that is all that is known.
8 – And The Santa Maria. The least favored by Columbus was the heaviest of them all; a cargo ship. Must have been a keen trick to keep track of all!
9 – The Parades!
10 – This Poem that helped us learn about the history of Columbus Day:
“In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
“Indians! Indians!” Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But “India” the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he’d been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.”
Pickhit: I’ve noticed that some southeastern U.S. states, in what must be misguided, immature rebelliousness, gloss-over Columbus Day, previously celebrated on October 12th, the date he landed on our shores, universally across the land – and now on the second Monday – by renaming it shamefully as a “Professional Learning Day” while giving students the day off, ignoring it completely or otherwise denying pupils one of the most colorful and interesting holidays which celebrates the combining world and American (“the new world”) histories.
There was Ameriggo, Leif and Magellan, but only Columbus got the title of “first”.
Почти Черный русский на скалах … жизни,
Я сейчас над облаками на мой путь в никуда;
Полет под облаками на высоте 35000 футов.
Убит выезда на меня в последнюю минуту;
Так же, как мой билет подтвердил, что я узнал.
Я хотел бы перейти, из самолета!
Как она могла?
Два года инвестировали время.
Недавно она замолчала и без обновлений,
Был “Огромные разочарован”, что я не получил еще нет.
Но теперь один год с того дня я получил свой паспорт;
Мы могли бы быть установлены, чтобы жарить на берегах Днепра.
Часть меня верит, что она удивит меня,
Будьте в аэропорт, чтобы «собрать» меня.
Принятие желаемого за действительное, я знаю.
Я приезжаю в киевском аэропорту после того, как в настоящее время сонного езды;
Из Москвы SVO выше многих облаков,
Я никогда не думал, что когда-нибудь в «России»;
Это связано с встречи с моим Нины,
Если бы я была посадка betweena.
Мое видео камера готова только в случае, если я определить ее в Борисполе …
Я надеюсь на чудо и взаимных разочарований,
Стрелять некоторые случайные видео на лестнице, я не уверен,
Куда идти дальше в этом аэропорту лабиринт?
Вместо этого я пройти через “паспортный контроль” (ролл “R”),
Претензия моя тяжелые сумки багажа,
Прогуляйтесь по отношению к моей заполнения в корпусе искателя,
Что могло быть, если бы она осталась в Украине?
На данный момент, Один я остался к меланхолии задуматься ..
Я вижу признаков того, что гласит: “Нафтали”.
Она не держит его,
Это моя поездка в неизвестную землю и место для отдыха,
Без нее не так, как мы часто и снова,
Планируемые как в этот день пойдет;
Теперь похищены два полезных странные ребята.
На этот раз любовь была предложена ее первая;
Я ответил, и ни один из его была безответной.
Но я черепаха была слишком медленной, чтобы победить,
Я не знаю, что было сроку или расы!
Теперь осталось подумать, что может-быть.
Все люди, которые не «поддерживать» нашей кампании объединиться раньше,
Должны иметь более активный, чтобы помочь предотвратить этот момент;
Они не сделали и я проклинаю их,
Черт! Деньги руины все, особенно “любят”.
Нина, как ты мог?
Как вы могли бы уезжать?
Один или “одинокий”, как она мило использовал слово неправильно;
Молний за пределами моей комнаты-для-ночь,
Жесткий против янтаря Светофор Украина грома дождь падает.
Он находится в синхронизации с моим новым угрюмым настроением.
У нас обоих есть достаточно “разочарование” сейчас строить заново.
One year AGO to this DAY, she wrote:». сейчас находится в вашем кармане (паспорт) А теперь, нужно поставить вторую свободы -! деньги в другом кармане И потом, вы абсолютно, совершенно свободный человек и что теперь, что план для вас (вчера , я попросил вас об этом по Skype). Когда я буду знать дату вашего визита? буду я встречу тебя в аэропорту? WoW, сегодня мой бывший нетерпением вернулся к меня к вам. WoW скоро мы будете заниматься любовью, я не могу поверить …… И вы можете поверить? Я уже настолько привык, что вы пришли бы никогда. И я помню еще, что вы сказали мне, что мои бабочки вернется ко мне. …
Поцелуи
Нина
”
“See?”
“This garter she magically sent last Fall (2011) still has her scent…”
Backstory: When I was at the University, my roomate made this verse, originally recorded by the Chicago soul music group,”The Chi-Lites”, famous with his stand-up (serious) rendition during our Oral Interpretation English class. Now, thirty-eight years later, as I sat on my front stoop trying to make sense of my finding a lovely, exotic, intelligent, lively, playful Slavic girl who loved me, I have rewritten it to fit a modern international romance situation.
“One year ago,
I was happy as a lark;
Two years ago this time,
Ignited our romantic spark.
I have the seat at our same ole Cafe` Skype,
Watching other internet couples play.
We were together,
Fighting to get my first U.S. Passport in those days;
Anticipating our togetherness.
Now I’m lucky if I hear from her, Maybe twice a month!
Never wanting to disappoint her,
One so uniquely generous to me
That she got me out of tax trouble,
Which should have never been;
Now, fear of losing “the one” is all I see.
I might not look it to you,
yet, I am a sad face clown.
Sleeping less as my brain laments;
Tossing and turning,
An exercise that prevents rest!
“OH, I hear her voice everywhere I go,
In the words I read from people I don’t even know,
Have You Seen Her?
Tell Me have you gleaned Nina?
When I read a man’s magazine,
Or when old emails from her I see,
Have you seen her?
Baby, have you gleaned Nina? (“Pssst! look in Rome, Italy!!”)
Ohh, I’ve been used to satisfying my words with actions,
And suddenly I can’t…
It takes too long,
They seem like just promises or a rant.
[monologue]
“As I write these words,
I choke-back tears in my eyes.
I repaid her magnamimousity handsomely!
It seems that “the devil” holds me back,
Prayers and faith unanswered apparently;
But I will try anything at this point to get to her.”
Oh, I write an email to her,
Send flowers and a few dollars when I can;
I can see the love and smile when I do,
It is all over her heartfelt “Thank you”
Can you glean her?
Tell Me, Have you Seen Nina?
Well…I’m looking for a letter, email or something
Or anything she would send.
“I am here for you!”
Even though a civil war is near.
She sent me so many gifts one and four years ago,
Just because (I think) she grew to love me;
I never asked for anything like that,
I feel so blessed to have met her.
With all the people I know,
I’m still
a lonely middle-aged man!
I found a way to repay her kindness.
In money and attention,
But will she bore with this long distance and disallow me?
I really fear it is so.
May my wishes, hopes and prayers be answered,
Where our cultures combination will provide
Interesting fun for the rest of our lives!
People tell me, “If it is meant to be she will be there “.
I am not sure that is the security of thought that I need!
This love is not ‘unrequited,
As most of my encounters of the past;
We were very social media united,
Across the Atlantic ocean distance.
So If you see her,
Please tell her to get in-touch with me!!
My passport is still ready to be stamped again;
I am looking for some help,
Or any change that change can send.
You know, its funny,
I thought I had that lady in London;
In “the palm of my hand”!
But I didn’t do my homework beforehand,
And then had to help my eighty-nine year-old Mum,
Back at home.
And hers is ill also.
Have you seen Nina?
Tell me have u SEEN HER?
Now, my take on the last book from my summertime night table reading stack (see my post of July 11, 2021). Daniel James Brown’s “Facing The Mountain, A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II” (Viking $30.00 9780525557401) recounts the reaction of our country at-large against Japanese Americans, in the wake of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – 80 years ago, next month, as I write this review.
As I read the chapters, I couldn’t help but notice, and am awestruck by how much our Black- American and Japanese-American soldier’s World War II experiences have in-common. You see, I am the son of a career U.S. Army man who fought within the 369th Field Artillery unit out of Harlem, U.S.A. I remember him alluding to much similar discrimination by segregation within the U.S. Armed forces, even though the enemy’s bullets did not differentiate race when they found their mark. It would be like if Africa was one country and it attacked us, all suspected African Americans would be round-up and sent off to concentration camps. The misplaced resentment against Japanese Americans also ran so deep, that even after the young Japanese American G.I. proved their patriotism in battle, they were not easily welcomed back home, to the point that one barber shop owner justified it by saying, “They all look alike to me.” Hell, that’s what I heard said about black Americans back in the 1960s!
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