THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504070012
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
I read the letter from Patrick J. Doyle (``Don't pacify the Japanese,'' March 30) with much sadness, not for his opinion about President Clinton, but for the obvious bitterness he feels toward Japan and its people based on his father's experiences.
Like his father, my father was a son of immigrants in New York City. My father joined the Army in the 1920s and served in three wars during the 33 years of his distinguished career. Again, like Doyle's father, he served with the Occupational Forces in Japan after the war. He, too, was a good soldier, proud of this country and what it stood for.
I was taught by my father to love and respect all human beings regardless of race or national origin. He also taught me to learn from the past but not to dwell on it. He did not like wars and what they do to people, but he performed his duties proudly in serving this nation. After each of the three wars in which he served, he became a wiser man. He did not carry a torch of hate and bitterness toward his prior enemies.
I am proud of my father for what he taught me and for what he stood for. For you see, he was my adoptive father - who had adopted me, a 16-year-old Japanese boy.
I am an American and proud of it.
KEN KOLODZIEJ
Virginia Beach, March 31, 1995 by CNB