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Visitor: Helen Moscicke
Reference: from your email invitation
Location: Originally..Chicago and now..Hot Springs, AR
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: moscicke@ipa.net
Date: Sat, Jan 30, 1999 at 15:51:19 (EST)
Comments: Hi..thanks for your invite to visit your site..it is without a doubt the best I have seen and read. I can't believe this is the Okinawa I knew in the 50,s...the changes are remarkable. I enjoyed the island when I was there for 24 months. We spend 2-4 weeks in Hawaii each year (at the military hotel, the Hale Koa) and have met many people who have served in Okinawa. The younger people tell us about how populated the island has become. My fondest memories are of the beautiful beaches, wide open spaces, and gorgeous sunsets! I really didn't miss typhoon season as they always began on Fri nite and ended Sun nite...ugh! At the time I was there, the population was mainly military and hard for me to believe in seeing all of your pictures that it is the same island. Thank you so much for letting me share them. When I returned from Okinawwa, I was assigned recruiting duty in Chicao where I remained for 5 years, met a fine man (my boss) and we married in 1958. Bob finished 28 years in the Army, we raised a gorgeous daughter (now 36 and gave us a great grandson, 15 year old, Matthew. Her hubby is with a large computer firm, Oracle, and they live in Maryland. We decided Chicago was too busy, too snowy, and too cold so, moved here to Hot Springs 5 years ago and love it. We live up off the lake (many lakes here) and have a gorgeous view of the mountains. We travel a lot and keep very busy. Again, congrats on your great site..I looked at it all. Thanks, Helen You certainly have a gorgeous family!

Visitor: Jim Busby
Reference: Searching Air Force
Location: Kentucky !!
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: jebusby@dynasty.net
Date: Wed, Jan 27, 1999 at 19:36:06 (EST)
Comments: Appreciate your work! Great to see 'good' things going on! 22 l/2 years in the USAF good for me. Thru the net I have located 50 friends/alumni from Itazuke AB, Japan l951-55 era during the KW. We are trying to work up a reunion this summer or soonest. God Speed, Keep Up the Good Work. J.E.Busby, SMS (USAF-Ret) 52-74. Addendum. What a thrill, one of the gentlemen that I located was 'my first boss' in the USAF: Samuel L. Chiles, Maj. USAF [Ret], now 84 years young and living in Savanah, GA. Wow, the USAF continues to be good to me. See you in the big sky !
Sincerely,
Jim Busby, SMSgt, USAF(Ret)

Visitor: Terry McCammon
Reference: Mick Mail
Location:
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: camn8r@webtv
Date: Wed, Jan 20, 1999 at 00:33:42 (EST)
Comments: Great job. was there in 70-71 with family and loved it. Have not seen all of your site but did you include the imfamous GECKO!!

Visitor: Boyd Roberts
Reference: link
Location: Merced,Ca.(Gateway to Yosemite Nat'l Park)
WebSite: Family,church,cockatoo, and many info. sites
Web Info: soon to have a Y2K update
Contact: cbrobert@elite.net
Date: Tuesday, Jan 19, 1999 at 21:22:07 (EST)
Comments: What a great site. I'm sure it has more info. than any other site I have visited. Jeff certainly did his homework, as did you,Mick. I wish I still had all the pictures I took in the 1960's including many aerial ones. All military commanders need to include this web site in the info. folder for new arrivals.

Visitor: Calvin Jackson
Reference: linked here from your e-mail....
Location: North Carolina originally, California, lately
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: jackson_calvin@emc.com
Date: Mon, Jan 18, 1999 at 19:33:09 (EST)
Comments: You site is quite a piece of work! You should publish your story in hard copy - would make a great little novel! I wasn't married while in Okinawa as you were, so I don't have all the experiences there that you have. I served at Camp Courtney (G-4) from Jan '78 to January '79 (including the traffic change on 7/31....) in the USMC. We used to go to Kadena sometimes to get some REAL chow... and a real Exchange!! What I can tell you is that I didn't appreciate the island until I was preparing to leave! I'd like to visit there again, but I'm almost afraid it would spoil my memories!! Anyway, great job - thanks for the invititation to visit your site! I'll check back from time to time to see what's new.

Visitor: Christopher L. Daniel
Reference: Referred by Mick
Location: Houston, Texas
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: Cdaniel2@ect.enron.com
Date: Mon, Jan 18, 1999 at 13:36:05 (EST)
Comments: Both you and Gunny Northrop bring back memories of wanting to be over there in the Best Place in the World that I have ever visited or wanted to live in. If I ever had the job opportunity, money and housing to live over there I would do it in the blink of an eye. I don't know much Okinawa language but would like to have learned more. I also used to work that the Futenma USO in 1992. All of those pics and places that you have on here are really great. And I certainly appreciate all the good hard work that you have done to put this site together. Keep up the good work and let everyone know that if you ever get to be stationed in that most beautiful place, just to be ready for the heat and I did forget about the Benjo ditches that is a good time memory. If you ever get any pics of the Seawall try to get them posted too... I also enjoyed the drive on the toll road all the way from Naha City to Nago point - got to go as fast as that little car could run... My advice to military members going over there is Quality in life is what you make of Okinawa i.e. get out and see the island no matter how long you are going to live there from 1 to 3 years there are always that you will always look back on and regret that you did not get to see anything, like I do... I wish I did get my scuba license there it would have been CHEAPER. Well Mick see you later and thanks for the reference to you homepage, SEMPER FI do or die as the Marine Corps would say.... OOHRAH!!!!

Visitor: Sandra Miller
Reference:
Location: Tulsa OK
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: sjm1209@aol.com
Date: Mon, Jan 18, 1999 at 09:58:31 (EST)
Comments: Thanks for letting me know about your website. I had found Gunny Northrop's site while searching for info on Okinawa because my son was being sent to Okinawa 8-Jan but 2 weeks before his pre-PCS/Christmas leave, his orders were changed and is now at Ft Meade in Maryland (that's the Army for you!!) I have not gotten to view your entire site yet, but you have done a fantastic job! I will definitely be back to continue my tour... Happy 1999!!!

Visitor: Albert Brown
Reference: Surf in
Location: Ashley, Ohio
WebSite: U.S.S. Nicholas DD449 WWII History
Web Info: U.S. Navy destroyer WWII History
Contact: browncraft@midohio.net
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 19:36:20 (EST)
Comments: Thanks Mick for sending me your page, They are great, as you read the war history of the U.S.S. Nicholas you will see that we were at Okinawa also in taking it back from the Japs. I was 19 yrs. old at the time. My son Robert who was also a marine was there on his 19th birthday when they gave Okinawa her freedom. The U.S.S. Nicholas was named after Samuel B. Nicholas, the very first marine Major, That is why we were such a great fighting ship - one of the best in naval history. Her bell is now in the Marine museum. There is a new Ship by the same name that is a missile ship Number 47, They are carrying on the same tradition of the good name of the U.S.S. Nicholas FFG47 This is a great site you have here.
From and Ole Salty Sailor to a Great Marine Good luck and great Sailing
Hi there, Albert!!
I hope things are going well for you in Ohio! Thank you very kindly for coming by my Okinawa website and thanks for signing in the book!!
I've toured your site this evening and it looks like you must have had one heck of an exciting ride through the Pacific theater of operations!
I have an awful lot of respect for men such as yourselves.... without you - who knows? We might all be speaking Japanese these days!! But seriously, we, as a generation of "baby boomers," in my opinion don't really take the time to think and appreciate the sacrifices that your generation made. Many of those guys were lost and many of you who survived gave up your youthful naivete.
Please rest assured that some of us noticed and respect you for what you've done!
I hope you'll forgive me for not being a former Marine! *grin* I read in your guestbook entry that you must have thought I was.... sorry, dude!! You are the sailor, your son is the Marine and I'm the retired "fly boy!" Air Force was my thing. My dad was Navy though!! Does that count? *chuckle*
It's been a nice visit at your site, Albert!! Thanks!
I salute you!!

Visitor: Paul B. Missett, Jr.
Reference: The Gunny's page
Location: Philadelphia, PA
WebSite: Hard Charger Apparel
Web Info: Clothing with Armed Forces logos.
Contact: paul@hardcharger.com
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 13:11:50 (EST)
Comments: Mick: Great site! You certainly did your homework about The Rock! I really enjoyed seeing your scrapbook of pictures. I felt like I was a 19 year old private again on Camp Schwab.

Visitor: Del Loewe
Reference: Referred by Mick
Location: Northern California
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: DLoewe8035@aol.com
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 10:34:12 (EST)
Comments: Mick- A terrific site. Okinawa is a place everyone should get a chance to visit, through this site, they can. My first visit was to geographical/historical/political sections, but I will visit often and see them all. Bravo Zulu! Del L.

Visitor: Gerald Ross
Reference: You emailed me after seeing me in Gunny's book.
Location: Marshall, Texas
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: gwross@prysm.net
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 10:06:59 (EST)
Comments: I like your site so far. Have just started to browse through it.

Visitor: Dixie Lawson
Reference: Your invitation.
Location: Pikeville, Kentucky
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: lawson@kymtnnet.org
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 08:01:17 (EST)
Comments: This site is great! Thanks for inviting me. The kid's will love this site lots of information. My Son is stationed on Camp Futenma until Jun. I hope he gets as many pictures as you did Okinawa is beautiful. I will send you our school web page as soon as it's up and running. I will also post your site on Marine Moms and Dads. The parents there will really benifit from the information on your site.

Visitor: Robert S. Mizner
Reference: Got your e-mail about an Okinawa website
Location: Okinawa Japan
WebSite: Okinawa Rod and Gun Club
Web Info: Info about our club, clay target shooting
Contact: mizner48@marinemwr.or.jp
Date: Sun, Jan 17, 1999 at 05:36:41 (EST)
Comments: Super website! Words cannot describe it!! I bookmarked it because I'll definitely be visiting it again and passing the URL on to my friends. Keep up the good work.

Visitor: John R. Persich
Reference: Gunny Northrop's site
Location: Born in Texas, raised in California, now living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact:
Date: Sat, Jan 16, 1999 at 23:17:00 (EST)
Comments: I passed thru Okinawa as a Marine in 1970 and 1971 going to and from Viet Nam, only spent a few days each time. Didn't ever want to be stationed there as it was called the ROCK. My daughter is a Marine now, 2 years in Okinawa, she loves it there , she would like to do her whole 20 there?!! Also lots of travel with the 31st MEU, she has out done me in 2 years in places visited than I did in 9 years, even volunteered to go to Kuwait last Nov 11th! I will spend a few evenings in the near future going thru your site. Semper Fi!

Visitor: Chris Lee
Reference: Your E-Mail about the site
Location: League City, Tx
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: sewerrat@c-com.net
Date: Sat, Jan 16, 1999 at 21:50:56 (EST)
Comments: This is one of the best site's about Okinawa, for my little brother and family are stationed there. I was there with 2/12 3rdMarDiv in 84-85. Your picture's brought back a lot of memorys. Spent alot of time a Kadena for lots of Air Force freinds. Am curious about info about Foster. keep up the wonderfull work. Chris Lee
Hi'ya, Chris!!
I thank you kindly for taking a few minutes to sign the guestbook!! Happy that you enjoyed it and hope you'll be back! Lotsa good stuff to see and hear on the site.
I envy your brother and his family having the opportunity to be there now during a time of change. I truly believe that the Okinawan people have finally come to a juncture in their history where they're tired of always being the runt of the litter - the bastard child. Now that Governor Ota has been voted out of office I think their progress has been slowed but it's inevitable that Okinawa will one day get out from under the thumb of the American and Japanese governments.
It will indeed be an interesting time in the next few years to see the changes. I firmly believe that most of the Okinawans like Americans on an individual basis - they just don't like being taken advantage of any longer.
I don't really know how or why I got off on that tangent! *shrug* I guess it's just that I'd love to be there now to see just how much the overall relationship has evolved between us and those wonderful people.
Welp.... thanks again for cruising my "Welcome to Okinawa" and hope to see you there again some time!

Visitor: Mike J Hendershot
Reference: Invitation
Location:
WebSite: n/a
Web Info: n/a
Contact: mjhendershot@earthlink.net
Date: Sat, Jan 16, 1999 at 18:32:44 (EST)
Comments: Being a prior service Marine I am concerned about my son 19 who will be going there for 6 mos. I went thru Oki in transistion to RVN and stay there for a month at language school..came out of the field straight into Kedena and was met at the sna ck bar by two beautiful round eyed dependants who showed me the island and even took me water sking..My concern for my son is that alcohol does not become a choice for boredom and that he will enjoy his time there perhaps diving and other things that he c ould do with a limited income..so many of the young Marine's get sucked into drinking it is very negative and dangerous etc. I regard's to the Rape incident I do not have all the detail's but I would support the letter of the law and it would be harsh..ve ry harsh.. thank you for your invite..66/67/68 was my time of service thru Okie..my son will be there in Aug. and my prayer's will go with him ..Semper Fi
Howdy, Mike!!
Thank you very kindly for visiting my Okinawa website and for taking a few minutes to sign in!
I hope that your son has a rewarding tour of duty on island! I know what you mean about the potential for getting stuck in a rut and falling in with drinking and hell-raising. I have the same concerns about my boys here in Montana! I guess we always hope the best for the kids wherever they go, eh? There are so many constructive, positive things to do there! My gosh! Just getting to know the people, the language and some of the culture could be a full-time job for 2-3 years! I spent a total of 7 years on island and frequently lamented that my job kept getting in the way of my mission!! HehHehHehHeh!!! As much as I love my work I'd much rather have spent the time living amongst and learning from the gentle people of Okinawa!! But then, if that had been the case, I guess there'd have been no reason for me to be sent there in the first place!! *chuckle*
I wish him well and Godspeed!! And I wish well for you and your family in the New Year!!

Visitor: Mayumi Hirtzel
Reference: Dad sent me!
Location: Philadelphia
WebSite: Umi's World
Web Info: A smattering of me
Contact: pmxo@pobox.upenn.edu
Date: Wed, Jan 13, 1999 at 08:47:04 (EST)
Comments: Hi, Mick! My dad Joe sent me here to take a look at some of your pictures...they're great! But I especially thought the code you used for the tourbook was very cool! I've never seen anything quite like it, and you did a great job combining pictu res and text. Keep up the fantastic work!
Hi there, Mayumi!!
Thanks again for coming by the Okinawa website!! Glad you found something you liked!! And don't be too good to me about that code for the scrapbook! HehHehHeh!!! I saw one like that before and thought, "That's just what I need for my Scrapbook!" which took WAY too long to load when it was a page with anywhere from 4 to 12 or so photos!
The credit goes to my brother who is the webmaster of the site on which I first saw the "slideshow."
Please pass on many "Doomo arigatos" to Joe for sending you my way! I'm glad you enjoyed the visit and hope you'll be back for more!! There's a buncha stuff to see and HEAR! I looked at the counter on my "Sounds" page and was amazed by how FEW people have actually gone there! There's a virtual treasure chest full of Real Audio links to authentic Okinawan music - traditional, folk and contemporary. Don't miss it!!
Well, enough self-promotion!! *smirk*
I've been to your site - thoroughly enjoyed it but was disappointed that you don't have a guestbook. I wanted to sign in and let you know what a great job you've done at your place!! So, I hope you'll accept e-mail kudos!
Thanks again and Happy New Year to your and yours!!!

Visitor: Trisha
Reference: Doing a search for Kubasaki High School
Location: San Francisco, currently
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: Trish74@theglobe.com
Date: Tuesday, Jan 12, 1999 at 17:35:27 (EST)
Comments: Didn't get very far on your site -- there's so much! It's great, though. I only got through one tour on the Okinawa page and it made me laugh out loud. The picture of the fish at the botanical garden taken from the observation deck -- I have tha t exact same picture! I lived there from '80 to '84 and seeing those few pictures made me hunger for more. I'll definitely be back!!
Wow!! Hi, Trisha!!
I truly appreciate your kind comments in the guestbook!! I apologize for taking so long in responding though! *shrug* I do get behind from time to time and this has been a "time!"
Did you find the link to the Kubasaki Alumni site? If not, let me know and I'll lead you to it!!
I enjoy hearing (reading) from people who have shared some of the same experiences as I and am always happy when someone says how much they enjoy the site. It makes it worth all the time and energy that goes into my obvious addiction! *chuckle*
Glad to know you'll be back. Please let me know if there's something you were hoping to find but didn't - I'm always on the prowl for more features to include on the site!!
Happy New Year!!

Visitor: Gary Llewellyn
Reference: Just stumbled upon it...
Location: Indiana
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: glldds@excite.com
Date: Sun, Jan 10, 1999 at 14:49:29 (EST)
Comments: Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your home page...music, pics, etc. I was stationed on Okinawa with the Marines at Camp Schwab 1993. I do have a question...how does a person build a home page like yours, It is very profesional l ooking. I would like to build a scrapbook with slides I took while stationed on Guam and Okinawa and other personal pics. Any advice would b appreciated. Thanks, Gary Llewellyn
Hi Gary!!
Thank you very much for your kind words about the site! I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Man! I don't even know where to start with helping you get a page off the ground. I started a little over 2 years ago with just enough HTML savvy to get a page to appear on the screen! *grin* From there it was a matter of reading HTML tips and guides that are abundant on the 'net and, of course, looking at the document source of pages where I saw something that I really liked and wanted to apply to one of my websites.
I appreciate your comments and have to admit: I am kinda proud of the Okinawa website. It's my addiction! I do write all of my own HTML script - don't even know how to use one of those editor packages!! What I don't know how to do yet is to make those JAVA applets that shows a wavy reflection on the water! I SHALL know how to do that though before I die!! *snicker*
Take care, Gary - and Happy New Year to you and your family!!

Visitor: Ultima
Reference:
Location:
WebSite: Ultima's Dream Page
Web Info:
Contact:
Date: Mon, Jan 04, 1999 at 15:31:06 (MST)
Comments: I like the page lots to do here!

Visitor: John W McDonald (Formerly J9ABC)
Reference: Checking out various search engines and decided to find Shuri Castle
Location: Redmond, Washington
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: johnone@worldnet.att.net
Date: Wed, Dec 30, 1998 at 17:25:06 (MST)
Comments: Spent the year 1947 at Kadena AFB as a Tech Rep. Do not have sufficient time to see all of your Web page. Will revisit. At the time we were at Kadena we serviced the 1st Air Division, and the 316th Bomb Group. (B-29s).
Hello, John!!
Please forgive me for taking so long to respond to your guestbook entry in "Welcome to Okinawa"
I envy your experience of being on Okinawa in '47! I'd love to have been able to see what it was like so soon after the war! I've always admired the Ryukyuan people and am trying to learn about their way of life pre-WW2. As you may know, there aren't a lot of references still in publication which detail life in Loo Choo in the days before the war. *sigh*
I'm wondering... do you have many photos from the time you were there? If so, do you think you'd trust me to return them to you if you were to mail some to me? I'd scan 'em and send 'em right back to you! Of course, I would want to post them on the web site and will give you full credit for the photos. Maybe a little story about your tour on the island too? *grin* I don't ask for much, eh?
Well, anyway, I thank you very kindly for visiting and hope you'll be back!! Happy New Year, John and I hope all is well for you and your family in '99!

Visitor: Boyd G. Bolte
Reference: Long Surf Story
Location: Live SC
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: bbolte@rbmg.com
Date: Mon, Dec 28, 1998 at 16:09:01 (MST)
Comments: Hey Mick: Great site. I have actually been to a couple of the places you have pictured. When you stand at Nakajin Jo and feel the air blow across the top of the walls ... you never forget! I used to live Tomari (Naha) came back in 94 ... BIG MIS TAKE!! My wife is from Miyako Jima ... very isolated there. Take it easy Kiostukete ne! By the way, Nihongo dekiru kana? Boku wa kantan no koto ba shaberu masu. AKA:Nishimura, Kani
Hi, Boyd!!
Thanks a bunch for coming by to sneak a peek at my Okinawa site!! I hope that you're enjoying a great New Year!! I'm sorry for taking so danged long getting back to you... no good excuses - just a buncha reasons! *grin*
So, "going back" was a BIG MISTAKE? Going back to Miyako? Going back to the States? I hope it wasn't anything that left a sour note for Okinawa! Actually, I'd be sorry for ANY sour notes, but anyway....
Tomari must have been an exciting experience. I lived in Awase and Makiminato (Machinato) the first time I was on island; 1972-75 and then went back in '86, Yomitan and Kadena were home then, so I really didn't get to experience living in the densely populated areas of the island.
Happy New Year, Boyd - and please stop by the site again some time! And, of course, send your friends!! *grin*

Visitor: Bob Norman
Reference:
Location: Payson Arizona
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: rnorman@goodnet.com
Date: Tuesday, Dec 22, 1998 at 00:09:32 (MST)
Comments: No comment at this time.....
Thank you, Bob, for cruising the site! Hope you'll be back!

Visitor: Janet Crane
Reference: via your brother Michael
Location: Payson, AZ
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: acmom@hotmail.com
Date: Thurs, Dec 17, 1998 at 14:02:26 (MST)
Comments: Hi! Great website. Michael was bragging on your site and I told him I was in the Marine Corps and spent 2 years on Okinawa. I really enjoyed it over there. I haven't had time yet to see everything, but many memories have come flooding back to me already. Thank you for your site, it is really awesome. I was over there 1981- 1983, stationed at Camp Kinser then Camp Foster. I lived off base in Ginowan City. I will be back to check the site out further, there is a lot to see of this small island. God Bless & Merry Christmas!
Hi Janet!
Thank you very kindly for coming by my website! I apologize for the delay in responding to your guestbook entry. My brother told me that I could be looking for a message from you as he had referred you to the site. I'm glad that you found it worth the "trip!"
When I returned to Okinawa in 1986, after having been gone for 11 years I was amazed at the changes in the southern part of the island but was gratified to see that the rural northern reaches hadn't been TOO badly developed. There were a heck of a lot more luxry hotels going up and, as I understand it now there are even MORE! *tsk!*
I'll get back some day for a first-hand sneaky-peek at it! *grin* I just don't know when that "some day" is going to be!
Welp, thanks again and I hope the best for you and your family in 1999!

Visitor: Sonya Crosby
Reference: forwarded addy
Location: Malmstrom AFB
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: caiome@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, Dec 13, 1998 at 02:19:47 (MST)
Comments: Very nice site, it's helping me look for a name on a braclet I wear.
Hi Sonya!!
I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you! I've just had a hard time finding the time to get caught up! Thank you very kindly for coming by the website and I hope that you found your POW/MIA. Did you come across the link I have on my "U.S. Air Force" page:
http://www.mcn.net/~mickmc/military.html
which connects you to a POW/MIA database? You can search for your POW/MIA by name then review the list of documents that the DoD has. It doesn't actually show the documents but it does show the titles and sometimes you can determine whether or not your missing person was sonfirmed KIA. I did find mine and did indeed see a document entitled confirmation, etc. You can order documents if you want the details.
Well, I know this response is more than a month late and again, I apologize for being so slow to respond.
Thank you again, Sonya!!

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