Today, 21 January, is a special day for at least a couple of people-----it is my wife's and my wedding anniversary. On this day, in 1965, Tokuko and I were married in a civil ceremony at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
At the time I was a first class petty officer in the Navy, stationed at the Naval Sir Station in Atsugi, Japan. I had been in the Navy for eight years.
When I got stationed at Atsugi (in May 1963), the furthest thing from my mind was marriage. Then I met my future wife and my thoughts changed immediately. I don't know if it was love at first sight, but it was close to it.
You have to remember, back in 1964-65 inter-racial marriages were frowned upon, not just by the Navy department but in society in general. Both Tokuko's family and mine were against the marriage. We were told it would never last.......people should marry "their own kind" was a phrase we both heard. The Navy threatened to take my security clearance away if I insisted on the marriage. The Navy Chaplain threatened to have me restricted to base and then transferred out of Japan. Tokuko's older brother (the head of the family) threatened to disown her. My mother, a staunch Irish-Catholic was shocked and dismayed.
But, Tokuko and I felt that we were meant to be together and we proceeded with the (extremely slow) process of paperwork that was required. After 11 months and 4 days of waiting, we got the word that approval had finally been given.
We hopped on the train from Atsugi and rode for an hour to the embassy in Tokyo. It was a brief ceremony. As we were leaving the embassy, we came upon a "Yankee go home" demonstration that was protesting the American presence in Japan. Welcome to the real world!!!!!
46 years later, as I look back to the start of our marriage, I am amazed as to how we did it. It was not easy---I spent 12 more years in the Navy, most of the time away from my wife and growing family. I did not make much money in the service, our children started "appearing", and things were definitely "tough".
Somehow we made it. And now we celebrate. There is so much to be thankful for; three great children and two of the loveliest grandaughters one could hope for. And Tokuko is STILL the most beautiful girl in the world.
And to the naysayers that admonished us for marrying, I will be polite and only say HA!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Blog nr. 28
Today's rant is about a "sacred cow" called SOCIAL SECURITY.
When I first entered the workforce (1955) Social Security was the primary savings for retirees. Ergo, I didn't commence on any type savings plan. But, as I got further along in my career (both in the military and later) I decided savings such as an IRA would be prudent. So I got an IRA and went about my business.
Unfortunately, many others did not, thinking Social Security would provide enough for elderly folks, both single and married, to live "happily ever after".
In today's difficule times, the foks that are dependent on Social Security alone are in a bad way. I am sure if they had anticipated this, they would have made alternate plans for their "golden years".
There will be no cost-of-living increases for those on Social Security again this year. Is this equitable??? HELL NO!!!!!!
I know of many elderly citizens who will be hurt badly due to this "broken promise" from our government. My heart goes out to them. THIS IS FLAT WRONG!!!!!!
There is enough Internet chatter, media publicity, etc., as to why, who is at fault, etc....But this needs to be addressed. We (the American people) have brought this upon ourselves, by becoming too dependent on "government" to fix problems. This phenomena will take generations to correct. And, sadly, I see no political party in existence today that will have the "cajones" to try and fix it. George W. Bush tried to bring it up and was not supported by ANYONE.
To my children and grand-children, I apoligize for aiding/abetting our government for the past many years to put us in this fix. I also STRONGLY recommend that you prepare yourselves for retirement by establishing some type of savings plan to ensure you golden years are not bedded in poverty. (I know it will be tough).
I also draw a military retirement check each month.....the past couple of years we have received no "cost-of-living" increases either. I can live without it, but again there are others that are dependent on this.
I won't even get into medical care...........that will be the issue that will break all our backs.
What I will do is say this to our politicians (what a dirty word!)....either fix this problem or put yourselves under the same "benefits" and restrictions regarding pay raises and medical programs or you will have an even bigger problem on your hands.
When I first entered the workforce (1955) Social Security was the primary savings for retirees. Ergo, I didn't commence on any type savings plan. But, as I got further along in my career (both in the military and later) I decided savings such as an IRA would be prudent. So I got an IRA and went about my business.
Unfortunately, many others did not, thinking Social Security would provide enough for elderly folks, both single and married, to live "happily ever after".
In today's difficule times, the foks that are dependent on Social Security alone are in a bad way. I am sure if they had anticipated this, they would have made alternate plans for their "golden years".
There will be no cost-of-living increases for those on Social Security again this year. Is this equitable??? HELL NO!!!!!!
I know of many elderly citizens who will be hurt badly due to this "broken promise" from our government. My heart goes out to them. THIS IS FLAT WRONG!!!!!!
There is enough Internet chatter, media publicity, etc., as to why, who is at fault, etc....But this needs to be addressed. We (the American people) have brought this upon ourselves, by becoming too dependent on "government" to fix problems. This phenomena will take generations to correct. And, sadly, I see no political party in existence today that will have the "cajones" to try and fix it. George W. Bush tried to bring it up and was not supported by ANYONE.
To my children and grand-children, I apoligize for aiding/abetting our government for the past many years to put us in this fix. I also STRONGLY recommend that you prepare yourselves for retirement by establishing some type of savings plan to ensure you golden years are not bedded in poverty. (I know it will be tough).
I also draw a military retirement check each month.....the past couple of years we have received no "cost-of-living" increases either. I can live without it, but again there are others that are dependent on this.
I won't even get into medical care...........that will be the issue that will break all our backs.
What I will do is say this to our politicians (what a dirty word!)....either fix this problem or put yourselves under the same "benefits" and restrictions regarding pay raises and medical programs or you will have an even bigger problem on your hands.
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