Comments on: WWII soldier’s flag leads Hiroshima JET on journey to Niigata Prefecture

By: WWII soldier’s flag leads Hiroshima JET on journey to Niigata Prefecture | JapanLike

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:03:47 +0000

[...] WWII soldier’s flag leads Hiroshima JET on journey to Niigata Prefecture 1 http://www.wideislandview.com — An ALT in Japan returned an old Japanese flag to the family of a soldier who had died in WWII. [...]

By: Mitchell Pine

Mitchell Pine — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:53:00 +0000

I believe I have a Commanders battle flag that my father had. My father just passed and I wanted to return the flag to the family. Is there anyone who could help me?

Mitchell

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:37:24 +0000

hey great outcome ,, good on ya mate.
actually I came across this story while trying to find help translating a flag similarly obtained in the asia pacific region…
I to intended if possible to return it .. probly by mail.
any help appreciated
its difficult to get a translation.

By: Aaron Sponseller

Aaron Sponseller — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:31:31 +0000

Thank you for all the positive comments, I have found them inspiring.

I am currently in the process of starting a project aimed directly at returning more flags to Japan. I have contacted several people who possess flags and will hopefully begin returning more flags within the next few months. Anybody interested in returning a flag please do not hesitate to contact me. I don’t want to publish my personal email address here, however I can be found on Facebook.

Thanks again!
Aaron Sponseller

By: 真秀

真秀 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:36:32 +0000

Wow, Fascinating story.

-Shichi, my Grandfather was the same way… until he met one….

By: Daniel Mick

Daniel Mick — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:42:48 +0000

Aaron,

Thanks for sharing such a great story!

Where are you now? Are you back in Oregon? I’m the newsletter editor for JETAA Portland. I’m interesting in maybe including your story in one of our upcoming issues. You can contact me through our website. I hope to hear from you!

Daniel

By: Carm Fogt

Carm Fogt — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:18:55 +0000

I also have one of these flags from my father’s WWII tour in the Phillipines. It would be nice to see it returned to the proper family. I think you may hear from a lot of people with the same story and wishes.

By: Betsy Vallejo

Betsy Vallejo — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:11:45 +0000

I recently inherited a few of these same kind of flags. I’ve spent half the day researching them on the internet. Thanks for the very descriptive story about how you found the mark on the flag. I’m excited now about trying to locate the family of the flags we have. It’s a long shot – but I’m going to put effort into it.

By: Carlo Capua

Carlo Capua — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:24:12 +0000

Aaron,

What a touching story. I was a JET in Nagaoka from 2000-2004 and consider it a second home. I read the Niigata Nippo many, many times and heard stories of Admiral Yamamoto (who had the famous “we’ve awoken a sleeping giant” quote), who was born and raised in Nagaoka.

Thank you for being a great citizen diplomat and true ambassador of our culture.

- Carlo Capua
Fort Worth, TX

By: Steven Horowitz

Steven Horowitz — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:38:16 +0000

Aaron,

Thanks for writing down your story. Gail Meadows of The Wide Island View told me about it and then posted a part of it on the JetWit site with a link to your full article on WIV.

I’ll make sure JET alums in NY and elsewhere all have a chance to read the story as well. And if you ever plan a trip to NYC, let me know.

O-tsukare sama deshita!

Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)