Posted on 09/23/2005 7:46:14 AM PDT by dsc
Naval Air Facility Atsugi Japan held its annual Friendship Day on September 23rd. The Traditional Air Show was canceled due to complaints from local residents – all of whom had moved close to the formerly rural base long after it was established in the 1930s at the urging of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, chief architect and chief opponent of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
The gates were opened to the Japanese public, but proper security procedures were observed. Various base organizations operated booths preparing American cuisine, all of which trailed long lines until late in the evening. Live music began at 1500 with Japanese opening acts, and continued until the final set by Everclear. The festivities ended with a very nice fireworks display.
Your humble obedient schlepped wife, three daughters, and youngest son to the scene of the recreation, but was prevented by a severe bombardment of Z-rays from approaching the source of the alleged music. Daughter 18 and daughter 13, however, displayed teenage immunity to the deadly rays, and caught the entire Everclear performance.
They report that the guys in the band were “really nice.” Most of the audience at the last performance were military and their dependents and guests, and no incidents of unruly behavior were noted. Daughter 18 reports that the singer closed the performance with a “God Bless you,” but made some remark about “having to love your country even if you disagree with what they’re doing.” Daughters were rather fuzzy on exactly what he said, and I was of course held out of earshot by the Z-rays. Everclear announced an upcoming album, and sang one song from it. According to my sources, the lyrics had something to do with Iraq.
Both daughters got autographs, and were very excited by the experience. Daughter 13-going-on-25 reports that one sailor put his hand on her shoulder while trying to strike up a conversation, which this pater familias evaluates as insufficient to justify a lynching. Son 5 enjoyed the fireworks, and daughter 7 months enjoyed doing baby stuff.
So, thanks very much to Everclear for coming to Japan and entertaining the Navy and local residents at NAF Atsugi. Glad to hear that you love your country, even if you are so uneducated and ignorant as to oppose the war in Iraq.
Are you in the Navy or a civilian ?
Retired.
Shades of Sagami-Gulch!
Wonder if the VQ hangar is still up with my homemade poopysuite closet in the back of the paraloft!!
Wonder if SPODs is still in its little fenced-in world across from the "Q".
Wonder if barracks 50 is still standing or got burnt to a cinder!
30 years is long time!!
They seem to not be big fans of George Bush, but that's alright with me, as long as they're there for the troops.
I don't look for a stellar grasp of international issues from a bunch of tatooed former heroin junkies who can play guitar. I look for some great rock and roll, and they come through.
I saw them in Columbus in the late ninties. It was a moshing, body surfing, good time.
Grew up in Sagamihara and Yokohama, 1951-1961 as an Army brat. I'm planning to visit Yokohama and Kamakura next spring.
I thought Art Alexis was an atheist.
Have a good time. Bring plenty of money.
Swim out past the breakers
watch the world die...
"I thought Art Alexis was an atheist."
I report; you decide.
Well just damn.
I was stationed at Atsugi. Got out, move to Ishikawa-cho while attending Jochi Dai. Moved to Tokyo and lived in Gotanda and Meguro.
Kamakura is always lovely at any time of year. Of course you could put in a day or two at Atami and really make it a time!
everclear stinks!!
I want to walk my old haunts but I'm informed most of them are gone.
"Wonder if barracks 50 is still standing or got burnt to a cinder!"
If you mean that 1950s vintage building right by the traffic circle, it finally got torn down to make room for a new mini-mart and gas station.
Before that, it played a role in the infamous Shinkampo saga.
The only thing that's burned recently is a JMSDF warehouse that used to be a hangar.
There have been a lot of changes, though...a new Q among them. Your old hangar is probably still there, though which squadron is now occupying it I couldn't guess.
What made you decide to retire in Japan ?
Chances are you won't recognize anything. Even the front gate got a facelift to keep up with the Suzukis.
Train stations have all been revampted.
You might recognize some of Zama. (I don't remember if it got closed or not, come to think of it.)
Go to Chinatown and see if the Windjammer is still in business. Pull Jimmy aside and tell him you want his good steaks.
Oh yeah, Bring Money.
"What made you decide to retire in Japan ?"
It's a long, boring story. Maybe some day I'll use it to win on Queen for a Day.
Lots of folks retired there. Usually move either to Tokyo, or out to the backwash of Chiba.
Once you spend more than 10 years in Japan, you can get pretty comfortable.
Until the 10 year mark, its a love-hate relationship.
"You might recognize some of Zama. (I don't remember if it got closed or not, come to think of it.) "
Zama is still open. The Imperial Japanese Military Acadamy memorial to the horses that died in the stable fire, right next to the trout pond.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.