Episode 4
July 21st
The son of a WWII veteran contemplates how his father aquired his war trophy and expresses his sincere grief for the family in Japan.
https://youtu.be/SywF74oKTyM
Episode 5
July 24th
The niece of a WWII veteran discovers her uncle's war trophy buried in a drawer, saves it for her daughter but decides to return to the family in Japan.
https://youtu.be/Y2a-zygSQu8
In case you missed it... here are our episodes so far:
"OBON SOCIETY: Intimate Stories" Introduction
https://youtu.be/2NCcdwHCvEA
Intimate Story: Episode 1
https://youtu.be/gfqmj_jQmvM
Intimate Story: Episode 2
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=UhkXPQF35to
Intimate Story: Episode 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umrVhpyJRzg
As little as $5.00 each month
(about the cost of one cup of coffee!)
will assure OBON SOCIETY is able to help
more families long into the future.
https://obonsociety.org/eng/page/support#paypal
![青森県在住の久保田松雄さま（甥...]()
青森県在住の久保田松雄さま（甥）へ返還された久保田松三郎様の寄せ書き日の丸
Mr. Matsuzaburo Kubota's Yosegaki Hinomaru was safely return to his nephew in Japan.
青森県五戸町(旧川内村):
７月２２日、青森県五戸町にて「久保田松三郎 命」の日章旗返還式が日町役場にて執り行われました。
下記は記事のリンク先です。
https://www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/384230
＜東奥日報：記事の文面＞
太平洋戦争末期にフィリピンで戦死した青森県五戸町（旧川内村）出身の故久保田松三郎さん＝享年（26）＝が所持していた「寄せ書き日の丸」が22日、75年ぶりに故郷への里帰りを果たした。この日町役場で若宮佳一町長から日章旗を受け取った同町のおい松雄さん（76）は「75年もたって、こんなきれいな状態で届けられるとは驚いた」と感慨深げに話した。
1920（大正9）年生まれの松三郎さんは海軍の2等整備兵曹として従軍。45年6月、ミンダナオ島レブコ付近で戦死したとされる。日章旗の返還を受けた松雄さんは松三郎さんの兄松次郎さんの長男で、この日は自身の長女の田沼悦子さん（52）、次女の久保田晴美さん（49）と共に町役場を訪れた。
日章旗は縦75センチ、横1メートル10センチの絹製。親族と当時の付近住民など50人以上の署名に加え「祈武運長久」「決死必勝」の激励の文字が記されている。南フィリピン諸島での戦闘に参加した米国ロードアイランド州の元陸軍兵士が所有していたもので、遺族から連合軍兵士が持ち帰った日章旗の返還活動を行っている米国NPO「OBON（オボン）ソサエティ」に託されたという。
松雄さんによると、松三郎さんは小学校卒業後、地元でおけの製造業に関わった後に上京。兵器製造関連の企業で勤務し、後に海軍へ志願した。親戚などの話では、歌が得意な人で、各地の祭りや盆踊りに赴き民謡を披露していたという。
戦死後実家には遺骨や遺品は届かず、海軍に入った当時に撮影したとみられる写真だけが残されている。「父からは（ミンダナオ島に）行く途中で船が沈められたのでは、と聞いていたが、遺品が見つかったということは無事上陸はできたのだろう。アメリカの方もよく保管しておいてくれた」と話していた。
日章旗は今後、親族に実物を見てもらった後、保管方法について相談することにしている。
Episode 2
July 14th
A Vietnam veteran tells his perspective of war, describes his father, and the journey of returning their war souvenir to Japan.
Episode 3
July 17th
The daughter of a WWII veteran is haunted by the war trophy her father brought home and describes her joy of helping it return to its owner in Japan.
In case you missed it...
Intimate Story Introduction: https://youtu.be/2NCcdwHCvEA
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/gfqmj_jQmvM
As little as $5.00 each month
(about the cost of one cup of coffee!)
will assure OBON SOCIETY is able to help
more families long into the future.
https://obonsociety.org/eng/page/support#paypal
![Introducing our "Intimate Stori...]()
For many years we have been aware that the peaceful work of OBON SOCIETY involves much more than merely the return of personal items to bereaved families in Japan. Most people do not realize it but our work frequently must deal with PTSD and lingering grief, and the scope of our work is often at the forefront of international relations and post-war reconciliation.
Now, with the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the end hostilities between America and Japan, it is time to reveal the broader scope of our work. To illustrate this we have directly contacted families who sent us items to return and we asked them to tell us their story.
We recorded their conversation and have edited each interview into a three-minute clip that we will present for you to see and hear. Soon, for the first time ever, you will be able to hear from the sons and daughters of WWII veterans as well as the grandchildren, nieces and nephews as they reveal their memories and family histories revolving around the WWII veteran in their lives. One week you might hear from an Iraqi War veteran talking about his grandfather and the next week the daughter of a Bataan survivor. Each story is unique and deeply personal but all share the same link of the family wanting to return to Japan the "war trophies" their relative brought home and to live in peace.
We call this series, "OBON SOCIETY: Intimate Stories". Starting July 10th we will publish two interviews every week throughout July and August, and maybe beyond.
NEW: If you would like to hear a brief story of how this project came about click this link to hear from the President of OBON SOCIETY as he describes this upcoming series.
https://youtu.be/2NCcdwHCvEA
NEW: If you would like to watch our brand-new video titled "Give Peace a Chance" you will see the most comprehensive account of our activity ever recorded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmDlE-eZjncOBON
OBON SOCIETY: Intimate Stories
Episode 1
Cathy Hoff
On Friday, July 10th we’ll introduce you to Cathy Hoff. Her father served in WWII and was one very tough guy. During our interview, Cathy told us he was awarded two purple hearts but afterward contacted us to alter that statement. She said her brother, a Vietnam veteran, immediately corrected her and proudly declared...."Dad was wounded four times! He had four Purple Heart medals!"
![Marvin Strombo, US Marines r...]()
Marvin Strombo, US Marines returned his flag to Japan.
We uploaded our video called "Give Peace a Chance". Three and half minutes video, hope you enjoy it!
Below link is our video:
https://youtu.be/NmDlE-eZjnc
![田中文雄様「寄せ書き日の丸」]()
田中文雄様「寄せ書き日の丸」
米国ノースカロライナ州在住のミシェルさんがOBONソサエティに返還依頼された日章旗は、無事に田中政幸様（息子）のお手元へ返還されました。
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/…/tokyo…/news/20200629-OYTNT50124/
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