Samar out there

Ari's photo

Because of my recent Samar trip and Wrong about Japan (Mabes' bday gift), the book I recently finished, I am fascinated about World War II. The Guiuan airstrip, on where the above 1957 Beech 18 was parked, is the only existing testament to the thriving US airbase back in 1944-1945. (And yes, we rode that restored plane from Manila to Samar.)

Just imagine, this airstrip used to host a steady stream of bombers and fighter planes. It was also where the Enola Gay took off before it bombed Japan.

In Wrong about Japan, I read about a war survivor whose story was the inspiration for the animated movie, Grave of the Fireflies. So that sorta made me think of the other side of war--when Japan was being incessantly bombed by the US.

Anyway, one morning at 4 am, I asked my mom about WW II stories because really, it happened not so long ago. She couldn't remember much but she remembered seeing dead bodies and watching her school go up in flames. She was just a kid then.

I wish I asked my titos and my lola about the war when they were still alive.