Posted on 12/07/2010 4:26:38 PM PST by muawiyah
Teruko Murakami Nakamura passed to her Heavenly reward today. She was 83 ~ from a family of 8, she is survived by her husband, 2 sisters, 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.
Originally from Portland, Oregon her life was changed dramatically on this date 69 years ago when she went from being a carefree young teenager to someone faced with serious adult problems.
Over the course of the next few months her father, a prosperous small hotel owner who'd had a career as a Western cowboy chuck wagon cook, prepping salmon in a cannery, and selling fruit on the sidewalk, lost the work of a lifetime, all his property, his business, his home, his car, his way of life as he and his entire family were dragged to a camp where the intention was for them to be imprisoned for the duration of the war.
In the course of things her elder sister had married a gentleman instrumental in the formation of the Intelligence School at Fort Snelling and gradually the family was reassembled in the free territory of Minnesota EAST of the Mississippi River.
Her elder brother was a member of the 442nd/100th Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated military unit in the history of America.
He was awarded a Silver Star for his conduct at the Battle of Monte Casino where he lost the use of his right arm. He'd been an artist before the war. Her other brother is seen in a Time/Life picture close to Ground Zero in Hiroshima ~ where he had gone as part of the official occupation force.
He died of Leukemia later on.
She grew up, married, had that family, and in the end lived an American dream in Southern California.
A lesson here ~ she walked among heroes for all of her life. In the end she departed this world quietly, in full control of her faculties ~ at peace with the world.
goshuushosama desu.
wow.
How dreary and sad my epitaph is going to be in comparison.
Prayers for your family.
Fascinating story. She sounds like a truly noble woman.
I’m so sorry, it’s always hard to say good bye. God bless and give your family peace and comfort. The separation is temporary, you’ll see her again.
You certainly have my deepest sympathies. It is so hard to lose a parent - I know - but may God hold you in the palm of His hand and give you His peace.
Our parents gave us a world filled with flaws, but filled with hope. They teach us what’s important - love, family, and country. They correct us and they guide us, and they share bad jokes with us, and they hold us when we are hurt and tell us it will be all right.
God bless you.
You have my sympathies. Even at 83, a long life, it is still a loss for those she left behind.
Condolences to you and yours on your loss. May she rest in peace.
A beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Condolences and prayers for you and your family.
Deepest sympathy.
God Bless your family. May you all find calm in His Peace.
LLS
My goodness! What an incredible family. God bless you all.
Prayers for your family .
My prayers and affirmations of God’s peace and presence to you and your family.
I’m sorry that her family had its allegiance to this country questioned. My condolences to you and your wife.
Thank you for sharing this with us, God bless you all.
May she rest in peace.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.