Japan: A Granddaughter’s Perspective
Kaitlyn Ferris (Mount Sinai High School)
One might wonder how topics as different as Japan and Katie Ferris are related. I am an Irish
American high school student who has never been close to the country of Japan in my life; however, just
because I have never set foot on the island nation doesn’t mean that Japan has not influenced my life.

During the cold snowy days of November, 1954, my Grandfather, Richard Sherwood Hackett,
witnessed the birth of his first daughter, my mother Lee Ferris, at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital near
Waukegan, Illinois. Shortly after experiencing this overwhelming joy with his wife, Richard boarded a
naval ship that brought him half way around the world to the island nation of Japan.

My Grandfather joined the Navy soon after he had graduated from high school. He was stationed in
Japan as a medic during the Korean Conflict. Japan was his “stepping stone” to the gruesome war that was
raging in Korea. Thankfully for my family’s sake my Grandfather never made it to the front lines; for that
matter he never even made it to Korea!! The armistice was signed before his unit was transported to Korea.

Even though he did not play an active role in the Korean Conflict, my Grandfather has told me that his
military duty in Japan changed his outlook on his own life and how he valued human life in general.

My Grandfather arrived in Japan after the treaty ending World War II had been signed in 1952. It was
a time of rebuilding for the country. He was stationed in a small village called Gotemba. His camp, North
Camp, was one of three camps located near Mount Fuji. As a medic his primary duty was to hold sick call
every morning. All military personnel who needed medical attention reported to sick call for treatment.

Once sick call was complete, that left quite a bit of free time for my Grandfather and his buddies to explore
the country. There my Grandfather and his buddies came upon a couple of orphanages. Children who had
been left alone after the war were being cared for in these institutions. The orphanages were always low on
supplies; my Grandfather and his buddies gathered the leftover food from the mess hall and brought it to
the orphanages. They collected staples like cereal, powdered milk and canned goods.

My Grandfather is by no means a war hero. He freely talks about how he hated his cold weather
training in the California Mountains. He even admits that he was sea sick on the long trip from California
to Japan. However, he was a hero to those orphans who depended on his generosity for food. I have also
learned that there are life lessons hidden within his “war stories.” My Grandfather said that taking care of
those orphans he barely knew, while he left his wife and baby daughter behind, made him realize how truly
lucky he was. He told me that I am blessed with a good home and a loving family for support. I understand
that people all over the world would envy my situation. His example also has shown me that it is the duty
of the strong to help the weak even if our cultural differences are deep. I hope that I can live up to his
example. The most important thing that my Grandfather learned in Japan was hope. He found it incredible that
the orphans who had lost so much were so hopeful and happy. Like most children, they played games,
laughed and sang songs. They welcomed the sailors and marines with unconditional acceptance. My
Grandfather witnessed the aftermath of World War II in the eyes of those orphans. And what he saw was
hope for a brighter future. He has tried to live his life that way—in a hopeful, optimistic manner. By
association I have learned to do the same.

My Grandfather has no medals or citations to commemorate his duty in Japan. He has only the marks
on his soul that have helped to make him the person he is today. His positive influence on the lives of his
children and grandchildren is his reward. The history books may recount events differently, but the country
of Japan has influenced me because it was the place where many of my Grandfather’s personal qualities
were strengthened. I am the person I am today because of his influence.

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