FARRAGUT: Ode to its reunions

My husband was one of the fellows who began his service at Farragut Naval Training Station in the 1940s. We have returned there several times for the reunions - held the first weekend after Labor Day. Three years ago, having moved to Boise, we came up there for that reunion, at which it appeared 200 or so men had returned.

Last year, having moved to this area, we went to Farragut only to be told there was to be no reunion - it would be too much bother since there were so few personnel still alive. We went away, saddened by the realization that no one cared anymore; that these men had been forgotten.

After stewing about this for a year, I had to write! Too much trouble for these guys who left their families and fought for the survival of their country. How many men died for these people? How many came back blinded - and crippled, both mentally and physically? How many suffered such horrors that they couldn't even tell? All of them - each and every man - were heroes!

Too much bother? These people at Farragut don't seem to realize that, without the guys who served, their families could have been forced to speak Japanese and to bow to their superiors in a country far different than it is today.

A bother? It doesn't matter if only 100, 50 or one man returns - those people should treat these men with gratitude for the service they gave to this country, for the freedom they now have. The men should be welcomed with open hearts and minds and given free entrance to the barracks where the reunions were held.

I wonder how many other reunions have been canceled due to the men who have been forgotten by their country, but not by their families. How sad.

As to the Japanese of today, I bear no ill will.

TERRI DOUGHTY

Post Falls