Howard & I didn't spend our first Christmas together. I was in Lyons, Kansas and he was stationed aboard the USS Piedmont, AD-17. Here's an excerpt from the autobiography he's writing.
1952 - One of the more enjoyable responsibilities of my job as chaplain’s assistant was at Christmas time aboard the Piedmont, when we had a Christmas party for Japanese American orphans. We had 85 of the children, boys and girls. Our ship had appointed a "committee" to buy toys for these 85 children as well as new clothing for each. They had the sizes for the boys and girls and made purchases and brought them back to the ship. So, for a number of weeks before the party, it was my job to gift-wrap these toys and I believe the clothing marked for the age of the child and for either a boy or a girl.
Our chow hall was converted to a large party area with a Christmas tree and all the gifts under it. But... before the Christmas dinner, each child was taken to the "head" for a shower and their new clothes, then came dinner for everyone, followed by Santa Claus coming to present the gifts. It was an afternoon that was well spent and the children went back to the orphanage fed, newly dressed and happy with their new toys. I need to tell you about the 6 year old boy I had for the day. His name was Joey Chan and by the time we parted, I was ready to adopt him. He and I got along quite well. I ignited an almost-fire when I wrote home telling them I would like to adopt him! Marge and I had only been married 6 months and it just was not meant to be. There has never been a Christmas like that one in Sasebo Harbor, Sasebo, Japan.
Our chow hall was converted to a large party area with a Christmas tree and all the gifts under it. But... before the Christmas dinner, each child was taken to the "head" for a shower and their new clothes, then came dinner for everyone, followed by Santa Claus coming to present the gifts. It was an afternoon that was well spent and the children went back to the orphanage fed, newly dressed and happy with their new toys. I need to tell you about the 6 year old boy I had for the day. His name was Joey Chan and by the time we parted, I was ready to adopt him. He and I got along quite well. I ignited an almost-fire when I wrote home telling them I would like to adopt him! Marge and I had only been married 6 months and it just was not meant to be. There has never been a Christmas like that one in Sasebo Harbor, Sasebo, Japan.
