Letters June 9, 2003 Issue

letters

with contributions from Harry Grayson, Dorothy Gordon, Diane P. Dalley, Anita Chaney

Takashi Oka's article, "No enemies in the kingdom," in your April 28 issue stirred a beautiful memory of a lesson learned. In his article, Takashi tells of the saving of his family's home during the firebombing of Tokyo in World War II. I would like to add a postscript.

Several years later, while stationed with the US Army in Tokyo, I had the privilege of many visits to that house. Frequently, on Sundays after church, Takashi's mother would invite the US service personnel in the Christian Science congregation to come home to lunch. While there, we sang hymns and felt a wonderful sense of home. I saw many a tear in strong men's eyes.

Years after the bombing had destroyed the entire neighborhood, that beautiful house still stood substantially alone. But it was there, a testimony to the strong faith and unselfed love of the family that lived in it. To this day, it remains a vivid reminder to me of the senselessness of hate and the protecting power of prayer.

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