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Tokumura
Kensho
Sensei -
September
2008
I am
sorry it
took so
long to
make and
send to
you this
memory
picture
of you
paying
respect
to Sgt.
Rodney
Kiaha at
the
Vietnam
Wall.
Jeff
Perkins
supplied
some of
the
pictures,
my wife
arranged
all the
images,
and as
you
requested,
I made a
black
frame.
It
was an
honor for
all of us
[Carol
Wamack,
Jeff
Perkins,
my wife
Phyllis,
and me]
to be
with you
on this
day.
Tokumura,
while
standing
with you
before
Kiaha’s
name on
the wall,
this is
what I
said:
“Kiaha-san,
our
tomodashi,
Tokumura
Kensho,
felt a
deep
obligation
to honor
you and
it is a
privilege
for me to
be here
with
him.
Many of
Shimabuku’s
students
and
fellow
Marines
helped us
get to
the
Vietnam
Wall
today.
As you
know,
Tokumura
at the
age of 15
was our
friend
and
sensei at
Agena
Dojo on
Okinawa.
Together,
we spent
many
happy
times
learning
Isshinryu
Karate.
I will
always
remember,
thank,
and honor
you for
sacrificing
your life
so that
all
Americans
can live
in this
wonderful
country.
Giving
your life
for
country
and
others is
the
greatest
act of
love and
duty one
can
perform.
Tokumura
and I
will
always
remember
you in
our
hearts.
Thank You
and
Semper Fi
– Jake
Eckenrode.”
Tokumura
Sensei, I
hope this
memory
picture
is a
proper
account
of your
respect
for
Rodney
Kiaha who
sacrificed
his life
for us in
Vietnam.
Your
Tomodashi…..Matta
ne -
Jakey
Japanese
Translation |
