Visitor: C/SGT Paul M. Webb II
Reference: Surfed on in
Location: Springfield O.
WebSite: POW MIA Eternal Flame
Web Info: Eternal Flame Dedicated to the POWMIAs who are still missing, and those
that have fought and died for our country
Contact: airmanFC@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, Dec 01, 1998 at 16:34:11 (MST)
Comments: *salute* Sir, I no longer maintain the sqdn website. I do have a pow mia
page, though. Thanks. please come see my page. *one step back* *salute*
Hello, Cadet Sergeant Webb!! *returns salute* At EASE!!!
Thank you for signing in at my website. I tried to access yours too but your URL
isn't complete.
At Geocities, there are a couple of other things you need, like "Heartland/Ranch" or
whatever your neighborhood is. I'd be happy to take a look at yours if you'll
e-mail me back with the correct URL!
Hope to "see" you soon!!
Visitor: Dave Todd - KHS Class of 73
Reference: Carl's Links (Kubasaki)
Location: South Carolina
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: dtodd@ftc-i.net
Date: Sun, Nov 29, 1998 at 06:28:48 (MST)
Comments: Super homepage! The music is great! I'm always looking for more Okinawa
and Kubasaki sites and yours is a great find. Thanks for all the hard work you've
put forth.
Happy Holidays, Dave!
Thanks for taking a moment to drop me a line! I'm happy that you found my site
worthy. I'm forever looking for new "material" to add without making it a "junk-heap" of
everything on the 'net! My intent is to present Okinawa in a light somewhat distanced from the
War!The people of Okinawa are so much more than a paragraph in a history book and,I
think you'd agree, the people of the world just don't know what a beautiful place those
islands are.
I haven't found an abundance of information of the Web about Kubasaki or Kadena high
schools. I hope your search rewards you.
Please tell me, Dave, how did you happen upon my site? Did you use a search engine?
If yes, which one?
Did you find me linked from another Okinawa website? If yes, which page?
Thanks again, Dave. I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving and I wish
you the best in the coming Holiday season and New Year!
Visitor: mick
Reference: searched for country
midi files
Location: england
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: mick@thefront.uk.com
Date: Wed, Nov 25, 1998 at 16:18:41 (MST)
Comments: great site - the best I've come across so far
Hello!!! *hearty handshake*
So, mine is the "best" site you've come across, is it? Welcome to the Internet!!
You must have just got on today! *chuckle*
I'm just kiddin', Mick!! Thank you very kindly for the nice comment! I hope you
found what you're looking for too! I wish I had unlimited server space so that I could
post all of the MIDIs I have on my HD! It's nice to have had a visitor from the British Isles,
Mick!
Please come around again! If you didn't get a chance to check out the rest of the
site (some 70-80 pages) please do come again!
See ya around the 'net!!
Visitor: Marc McPharlin
Reference: Just Browsing
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
WebSite: McPharlin's Home Page
Web Info:
Contact: mmcpharlin@mscon.com
Date: Tuesday, Nov 10, 1998 at 10:14:51 (MST)
Comments: I really enjoyed your information about Okinawa. I was stationed there
during Operation Desert Storm at Camp Hansen with the Marine Corps. It brought
back a lot of good memories. Thanks
Hey, Mark!
Geeeeze!! I'm so danged far behind in mailings that I'm embarassed it took this long
to say, "Hi!" Sorry, dude!!
I'm delighted that you had a good time on Okinawa and at my website. I love those
islands! The Ryukyuan people are the koolest, aren't they!?
I spent a few weeks at Hansenback in '89. I was in the Air Force, doing a CATLS
course with the Navy. (Combat Advanced Trauma Life Support)
The Corps "hosted" us in the Central Training Area and provided all the fun with
night
ops, rescue & recovery of a "downed pilot" - what a rip!! Haulin' our sorry butts
through
the jungle at night, some of the way up to our butts in mud, dodging snipers...
actually, it
was absolutely great training for a fly-boy like me! Between MREs and Porta-Johns
those hot meals-on-wheels from Hansen tasted mighty good!!
Welp.... thanks again, Marc, for visiting the site and, please... come back again!!
I don't know if you read Jim Grogan's story (it's one of the "My Story" features)
but he
mailed me some photos and I've added them in with text links, so, if ya haven't seen
it yet,
you oughtta read his account. He went back after being away for 28 years! Dang!!
I left there to retire from the AF only 8 years ago and every day I think about
going back. Maybe after my SECOND retirement! *grin*
Later, Marine!!!
Semper Fi!
Mick
Visitor: Mark Mitchell
Reference: Surfin'
Location: Ft. Bliss, Texas
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: fireemt97@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, Nov 06, 1998 at 19:05:03 (MST)
Comments: These pictures brought back a lot of memories for me. I was there with my
dad when I was the same age as your kids when you were there. I also got to show my
wife some of the experiences I had as a child. I was there from 82-86, what a great
place it was. All the pictures are places I have been. Thanks!
Visitor: Sue Franklin
Reference: surfing
Location: Originally from Okinawa; now in NH
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: shodanfranklin@cheshire.net
Date: Thurs, Nov 05, 1998 at 19:54:07 (MST)
Comments: Left Okinawa in 1974. Last residence was in Awase. I had totally
forgotten about the Pink Grocery Store! Enjoyed the wonderful pictures of Okinawa.
Visitor: Kody
Reference:
Location: Currently Stationed on Okinawa, Japan
WebSite: Kody and Staci's
Page
Web Info: Personal stuff about us and Okinawa
Contact: kody_pruitt@hotmail.com
Date: Tuesday, Nov 03, 1998 at 19:35:14 (MST)
Comments: Great page. Lots of information. Thanks for the wonderful stuff on
Okinawa. I'm currently stationed on Okinawa, and I love ever minute of it. You have
a
very cool page, keep up the good work.
Visitor: Ultimate Wizard
Reference: my guest book
Location: GA.
WebSite: Ultimate Wizards Home
Page
Web Info: Little bit of everything
Contact: kellison@alltel.net
Date: Tuesday, Nov 03, 1998 at 03:44:34 (MST)
Comments: Hey Mick, noticed you stopped by and signed my guestbook. You asked
about putting a link to your Okinawa page on my site. Well, since I am the web
master for the Okinawa and Chopstick web ring and you are a member of the web ring then
you will always have a link from my page. The site you were looking for. Not sure
what happened to it. I updated the web ring last week - had a few sites that had either
moved or closed. Hopefully the web ring is now up to date and is again a complete ring.
If you notice any other sites in the ring that create a dead end please let me know.
Visitor: George Barnett
Reference: Surfing for Okinawa
Location: Youngstown, Ohio - now Dallas, Texas
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact:
Date: Thurs, Oct 15, 1998 at 13:59:15 (MST)
Comments: Very nice site. My wife is from Nakaoshi; a few miles north of Nago. My
3 sons have 26 Okinawan first cousins (no small families years ago - no TV). Have
found 30+ Okinawan women in the grater Dallas area; many militray brides - our own
Okinawa Ken Jin Kai.
Visitor: King-Leung Har
Reference: Search Engine
Location: Okinawa
WebSite: Class of 97
Homepage
Web Info: OCSI Class of 1997 Homepage
Contact: kinghar@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, Oct 12, 1998 at 18:52:44 (MST)
Comments: Hey I'm so glad that I found your page! Its the best Okinawa page so far
out of the ones that I have been to. I lived in Okinawa for 17 of my 18 years of my
life and here I am going for a EE at a college in California. Your pages and pictures
brought me home for a second. Thanks.
Visitor: Dawn
Reference:
Location: Milwaukee, WI
WebSite: Gary Allan
Page
Web Info:
Contact: jenna3@prodigy.net
Date: Mon, Oct 12, 1998 at 16:43:55 (MST)
Comments: I really enjoyed all the links your page offers. It is packed full of
information and I thouroughly enjoyed myself !! Keep up the great work !
Visitor: Mark
Reference: Through the web ring
Location: Missouri
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: mdst@inter-linc.net
Date: Mon, Oct 12, 1998 at 00:56:14 (MST)
Comments: You did it, you earned a bookmark! GREAT SITE!!! I served with the
509th @ Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH. Or at least when it used to be there... As
soon as I heard the music on your main page, I felt like I was home again.
Hi, Mark!! *hearty handshake*
Thanks for coming by to take a peek at my website - I appreciate your kind words and
am delighted that the music touched a chord. I'm just wondering though, which main
page
were you referring to? Sorry to sound stupid, Mark, but I have the main "Mick's Big
Sky" opening page and I also have a huge Okinawa website, so *shrug* I'm not sure
which music you heard! In any case, I'm very happy you came by and I'll try to keep
up the sites so they continue to deserve that bookmark!! *smilin'*
Pease AFB was indeed one of the best kept secrets, wasn't it? A beautiful place and
they just weren't pounding down the doors to get assigned there.... I was never
fortunate
enough to get assigned at Pease - and it closed sometime before I retired myself. I
remember my dad wanting to get an assignment there too. He retired in '69 - I
joined in '70! *shrug* Go figger!! *smirk*
Well, Mark... please do come back from time to time.... and send y'r friends 'n'
neighbors!! *chuckle*
'bye!!
Mick
Visitor: Eric M. Williams
Reference: yahoo
Location: Santa Fe, NM
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: eric.williams@nmshtd.state.nm.us
Date: Fri, Sep 25, 1998 at 09:44:18 (EDT)
Comments: I was stationed in Okinawa from 1987 - 1990. I met my wife there (she was
in the Navy), and both of our children were born at USNH Camp Lester. We have never
forgotten our wonderful experience on Okinawa, and always hoped we would be able to
return. I am currently working as an Archaeologist for the State of New Mexcio, but
recently received some very good news. I have been selected (as for now) to serve
as the new Archaeologist for the USMC Japan. I will be working out of Camp Butler,
Okinawa, and have a tentative report date of 30 Oct. Needless to say, the family
and I are very excited and cannot wait to return to what we consider our Home Sweet Home.
Please feel free to e-mail me if there are any photos that you need for your great
web site.
Visitor: Lisa Sharff
Reference: Surfing Web Okinawa
Location: Madison, AL
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact:
Date: Wed, Sep 23, 1998 at 15:23:12 (EDT)
Comments: Thank-you for so many wonderful memories. I was in Okinawa from 1971
to 1974, and attended Kubasaki High. I had forgotten how crowed Okinawa was in
places. I used to live right down from Nakagusuku Castle. I only wished that I had
taken
more Pics myself. Plan to visit your site often.
Visitor: Sam Rettinger
Reference:
Location: Minnesota
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: rett@skypoint.com
Date: Sun, Sep 20, 1998 at 20:25:02 (EDT)
Comments: GREAT SITE...... I was stationed at Camp Kue Hospital in 1970-71...Big
changes... love the people.
Visitor: SSgt Casey Burns
Reference: From Dave's homepage
Location: Vandenberg AFB, California
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: cb300mag@aol.com
Date: Fri, Sep 18, 1998 at 20:50:31 (EDT)
Comments: Hey Mick, remember me, I worked with you at Malmstrom in Primary
Care/Family Practice. Nice web site, I found Dave's too. When I learn a little
more, I
will try to make my own page. Take care.
Visitor: Clement Yen
Reference: Through Pacific net
Location: Singapore
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: clementyen@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, Sep 18, 1998 at 04:31:18 (EDT)
Comments: A very infomative & well organised web page, I'm impressed. Thank you
for your time & effort. Best wishes & Warmest regards to you.
Visitor: NIVEA PANIAGUA
Reference: SEARCHING
Location: PUERTO RICO
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: goshen@coquinet
Date: Sun, Sep 13, 1998 at 13:59:03 (EDT)
Comments: HI I WAS STATION AT OKINAWA 70-71 I WAS A NURSE AND
WORKED AT CAMP KUE. IT HAS BEEN LIKE GOING BACK. I WILL LIKE
TO CONGRATULATE THE PERSON WHO HAD THIS IDEA.
SAYONARA,
NIVEA FROM THE ENCHANTED ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO
Visitor: kuniko Mcknight
Reference:
Location:
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: spiderman@acsworld.Net
Date: Tuesday, Sep 08, 1998 at 14:52:31 (EDT)
Comments: Hi, I enjoy this very much! You almost make me homesick....hahaha.
Keep up good job!!
Visitor: Kate
Reference: surfed on in
Location: Tennessee
WebSite: none
Web Info:
Contact: dierdre_1@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, Sep 05, 1998 at 02:42:35 (EDT)
Comments: Great site!!!, loved Crossroads and your tribute to John Denver as well
as
the midi selection and the wonderful shots of Montana, lived in Okinawa as a kid
and
Alaska, stationed @ Ft Richardson and an uncle @ Fairbanks..However..*G*.. how
come no lyrics or a midi for Meet me in Montana..have been looking everywhere for a
copy of both. Be well and look to yourselves.. *S*
Visitor: Cheyenne
Reference: Through a mutual friend.......:o)
Location: San Antonio,TX
WebSite: Cheyenne, The fire within
Web Info: Just another ordinary page....'o)
Contact: Shaia1@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, Sep 04, 1998 at 16:39:25 (EDT)
Comments: When I got mail from a mutual friend of us last night I wanted to check
this
page out because he was so full of praise about it and I am a nosye person so I
went
and I have to say it is AWSOME. I will show my husband your page when he gets
home and I am sure he will want to contact you after all these years...:o)
If you have ICQ, my # is17585514.........
Visitor: SrA Jennifer S. Mull
Reference: you gave me your card with the address on it! =)
Location: originally TX, call NJ home, and stationed at MAFB, MT
WebSite: Jen's
Juke Joint
Web Info: fun, fun, fun!
Contact: hebbisue@hotmail.com
Date: Thurs, Sep 03, 1998 at 18:14:50 (EDT)
Comments: Hey! just checkin' out your page! pretty cool! see ya later! SrA Mull =)
Visitor: Cecil L. Clanton
Reference: Your E-mail
Location: Homosassa Florida
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: DClanton@webtv.net
Date: Thurs, Sep 03, 1998 at 02:20:35 (EDT)
Comments: I was at Okinawa 1963 1966 Kadena work at Transportation Sq. minor
maintenance, belonged to Pacers motorcycle club.Wife and family there with me. we
loved there. we had our first new car there a Mazda. I am trying to contact a civ
there,but lost my e-mail contact. Your site, looks great,
Visitor: sandy torre
Reference: followed links(BobbyLinks)
Location: newport bch, ca, usa
WebSite: n/a
Web Info: n/a
Contact: gramamom@webtv.net
Date: Sun, Aug 30, 1998 at 18:47:16 (EDT)
Comments: ~•~cool tunes~•~
Visitor: Jim Teachout
Reference: Ray Gillespie
Location: Toledo Ohio
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: jteachout@toast.net
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 1998 at 12:07:36 (EDT)
Comments: Hi I'm Rays son-inlaw
Visitor: Marv Gilbert
Reference: Searching the web for pictures of Okinawa
Location: Maryland
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: mgilbert@msg.usuhs.mil
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 1998 at 08:06:39 (EDT)
Comments: Thank you so much for the great pictures. Some of them remind me of the
fifthteen years a spent on Okinawa. I spent three tours of duty on Okinawa ((1964 -
1969; 1970 - 1975; 1980 - 1985.) There were a lot of changes both during and
between my tours. It appears that a lot of positive changes have taken place since
I was
last stationed there. Thank you again.
Visitor: Dan Blades
Reference: Your e-mail link
Location: Fayetteville NC
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: dbrock@foto.infi.net
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 1998 at 22:11:45 (EDT)
Comments: Mick I really enjoyed the web sites. You have done a terific job. The
Photos of Okinawa really brought back great memories.
Thank you very kindly, Dan!
It's comments like yours that
makes it worth all the time and effort that goes into building a website like this.
And it gives me the impetus to keep adding!!
Glad ya like it, friend!! Please
come around again from time to time!
See ya!! Mick
Visitor: george slaughter
Reference: came to see what you have here
Location: clayton, delaware
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: georges@magpage.com
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 1998 at 19:15:35 (EDT)
Comments: nice site , i'll check back now and then to keep up on what you.ve done.
was on the rock 66-67 with mtm 3rd fsr.
Hi there, George!
Thanks for coming by the site! Please do come back from time
to time. I'm always looking for good quality additions to the site - today I added
a link to Ray Gillespie's page, for example. Great Stuff!! You should take a look
at his page too!
It's linked from:
members.tripod.com/~MickMc/pages.html.
So,
come around once in a while and offer any suggestions that come to
mind!
Mick
Visitor: Jay Adams
Reference: Your email
Location: Rocksprings, Texas
WebSite:
Web Info:
Contact: jayadams@swtexas.net
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 1998 at 14:48:03 (EDT)
Comments: Mick- Thanks for sending me the additional information. I enjoyed your
scrapbook. I didn't have time to view all of your website, but will at a later
date. I was
on Okinawa with the First Special Forces (1969 - 1971). I married an Okinawan lady
(actually girl), from Afuso. She was only 18 years old. We are now going on 28
years
of marital bliss with two wonderful children. We returned to Okinawa 1973, 1977 and
1990. We are planning a return trip in the near future. I am new on the internet (2
months), but I am learning my way around. I hope to have a homepage soon. I can't
say
enough good things about Okinawa. I wish my dream of becoming a rice farmer would
have worked out, but Que Sera. Keep up the good work. Jay & Chieko
Jay!! Konichi-wa!!
So good to hear from ya! Wow!! A rice farmer... on Okinawa, I presume! What a
great deal that would be. Such a peaceful existence. Now, as I understand it, an
awful lot of rice is grown in Texas, along with sugar cane - two things you have
very much in common with Okinawa.
Please give my best to Chieko and assure her
that - at least in my opinion - she hails from the prettiest place on Earth!
Congratulations to you and your bride in your 28th year of matrimonial
splendor!!
So, what do you do in Texas? Will you ever go back to "the Rock" for
good? I'd love to.... but have too many obligations here in the States first!
*sigh*
I appreciate your having come by my site and hope you and your lady - and
the children - will return to see the entire site.
Thanks, Jay, for dropping me a
few lines!! Mick
Visitor: ray gillespie
Reference: your e-mail letter to me
Location: toledo ohio
WebSite: Okinawa WW Two -
My grandsons made up for me.
Web Info:
Contact: eoh22@toast.net
Date: Sat, Aug 22, 1998 at 17:51:48 (EDT)
Comments: Hello Mick: Just a note to tell you how I enjoyed the many pages of your
Web Site. You live in the village of Asa? Many friends of mine died near and in the
village. I was wounded with machine-gun wounds to my abdomen across Highway One
from Asa Village. We were trying to blow up caves in a ridge that was three hundred
feet south of the Asa Kawa River. That day 10 May 1945 we had seven killed
--22wounded in K-Company 22nd Marine Regiment. Of the original 240 men of
K-Company forty-seven were killed--eight cracked up--one hundred forty two were
wounded--Your Web Site brings back fond memories.
ray gillespie
Hello, again, Ray!!
I am just now finally getting around to looking at my guestbook!!
THANK YOU for signing in there too!!
I am currently living in Great Falls, Montana. I retired from the Air Force in 1990
after
having left my second tour on Okinawa in October of that year.
I did live in the village of Aza-oki, Yomitan-son on the Yomitan Peninsula. In the
war
years, it was called "Yontan" and indeed was in the area of the landings. Hagushi
appears on some maps that I've seen and correlates well with the area of the Yomitan
Peninsula where I lived for two years.
The 2nd Marine Division, as I'm sure you know, did a feint at the southernmost part
of
the island while the 6th and 1st Marine Divisions along with the 7th and 96th
Divisions of
the USArmy made their landing on "Yontan."
According to Colonel Hiromichi Yahara, Senior Staff Officer for the Japanese 32nd
Army, the senior Japanese military leaders stood atop high ground at Shuri and, with
field
glasses watched the East China Sea fill with American ships and smuggly chuckled to
themselves as they watched the American forces land at Yontan. Their plan was to
allow
our forces to land unmolested and then, as we worked our way south, the Japanese,
who
were buried in myriad tunnels and caves would anhialate the US forces.
Well, as the world knows, it didn't quite work out that way, did it?
To this day, I am told, Japanese students are still not taught the facts of World
War II, let
alone the true history of Okinawa. The mainland Japanese seem reluctant to
acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices made by the Okinawans. Having said that, and
in their defense, I understand that in recent years the mainlanders are better
informed and
educated.
Well, back to the question you posed.... I did live in Aza, and, like so many other
areas of
Okinawa, we Americans changed the names to make them easier to pronounce or spell,
or whatever! For example: Yontan-Yomitan; Kuwae-Kue; Makiminato-Machinato;
Futenma-Futema and countless others.
It seems perfectly logical that what you say is true; that I lived where you and
your
comrades landed and advanced.
I lived in a house owned by Shinjyo-san, an old Okinawan man who had a very large
garden and goats! He kept his goats in a small enclosure on the hill up behind my
house!
He was a very friendly and gentle man who invited us into his home shortly after I
had
moved in. In true fashion, we removed our shoes and sat, cross-legged on the floor
around a low table. He served Awamori (we lazier Americans simply refered to it as
"sake") but it wasn't really sake! Sake is fermented while Amowari is brewed.
Anyway,
with what very little Nihongo (Japanese language) I had retained from a decade prior
and
with what very little English Shinjyo-san and his wife knew, we had a very charming
visit.
One of my favorite stories to tell is that, as we were introducing ourselves,
Shinjyo would
repeat the name but would add a vowel at the end. For example, I told him,
"Watakushi-no namei wa Mick desu." (My name is Mick) And he responded with,
"So,so,so..Mickie?" I nodded politely and confirmed that I could accept Mickey.
Then I
introduced my wife, "Debb." Shinjyo's wife asked, "Debbu?" Thinking again that it
was
more comfortable to speak the word if it ended in a vowel, I acquiesced and I was
then
the spouse of Debbu! They chuckled and tittered then called in their daughter. I
couldn't
understand what they were saying, but Shinjyo pointed to me in the midst of the
conversation then pointed to Debb while at the same time loudly and articulately
enunciating the word "Debbu."
They all began to giggle and chortle again and Debb and I, daring not be ungracious
guests smiled and nodded. Debb was unquestionably uncomfortable and I was myself a
little curious. What was so damned funny about her name?
We enjoyed the rest of the visit and after an hour and three or four glasses of
"sake" I
was ready to go home and sleep.
The next morning, at the clinic, I recounted the previous evening's activity to
Toshi, my
receptionist who herself is from mainland Japan. Upon my recounting the tale, Toshi
covered her mouth daintily and tried to stifle a chuckle. It didn't work.... she
laughed out
loud!
"All right, Toshi!! What's so darned funny?"
Toshi explained that in the Japanese language, "debu" means "Fatso!"
Yeah, Ray, perhaps the peninsula of Yontan was just a little quieter for me than it
was for
you. Ya know what though? I'm just damned happy that you made it back so that you
could share your wit and wisdom with the rest of the world!
God bless you and Mrs. Gillespie!
'bye for now!
Mick
To my readers: You MUST see Ray Gillespie's website!!