Any know any Okinawa vets?

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #1 (**permalink**) April 1st, 2008, 11:22 PM

I'm trying to get the word out about a site for the Battle of Okinawa. It's Okinawa Memorial Rubbings provided by Bravenet.com The site is still new but more information is being added daily. I'm haveing a tough time getting the word out there. If you have a friend or family lost here on Okinawa, my family and I (and some other Air Force guys) will make a trip down to Peace Prayer Park and retrieve a name rubbing for you. It's all free. Email me if you have any questions victorandjillian@yahoo.com

C.Evans · #2 (**permalink**) April 2nd, 2008, 09:36 PM

Hi, Welcome to this site and, I had known one man who served there-he was my Uncle. Unfortunately he passed away about six years ago. I only remember him telling a few things of his WWII service as he hated to talk about it.

Best regards-C.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #3 (**permalink**) April 2nd, 2008, 10:58 PM

Unfortunately, I understand. While on leave back to the States, my Grandfather told me that while he was in Europe, his cousin was killed on Okinawa. That's the main reason I started this site, because he'd ask for a name rubbing. Actually, he'd never even knew there was a Vietnam style wall built with all the names engraved on it.
If you'd like I'll be heading back down there to get some other name rubbings this weekend. Email me a good contact information and I'll send you a package with a couple name rubbings, a picture of the wall segment, a close up of the name, and a couple of the pamphlets they had out for free there.
Heck, I can even email you digitals
Just let me know
Vic F

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #4 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Thankyou to all that emailed. We'll be heading back down to the Peace Prayer Park tomorow. I'll get the name rubbings sent out on Monday.

C.Evans · #5 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkinawaMemorialRubbings

Unfortunately, I understand. While on leave back to the States, my Grandfather told me that while he was in Europe, his cousin was killed on Okinawa. That's the main reason I started this site, because he'd ask for a name rubbing. Actually, he'd never even knew there was a Vietnam style wall built with all the names engraved on it.
If you'd like I'll be heading back down there to get some other name rubbings this weekend. Email me a good contact information and I'll send you a package with a couple name rubbings, a picture of the wall segment, a close up of the name, and a couple of the pamphlets they had out for free there.
Heck, I can even email you digitals
Just let me know
Vic F

Hi Vic, do you plan on posting pics of some of those rubbings here? If so, it would make for a nice addition to your threads.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #6 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2008, 01:33 PM

So we went to the memorial today, so those who requested rubbings they'll be shipped out on Monday. On the way back to base my wife stumbled upon another site that needs upkeep. It's an American Cemetery that has over 300 American mostly veterans graves. Also a monument from Commodore Perry's vistit in 1853. I posted pictures on my website, go to pictures tab, then under monuments. I'll be adding lots of pictures so keeping checking for new ones.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #7 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Last posting for a while. I've just finished uploading all 92 wall segments. I'm currently working on getting a digital copy of all the names. Since I'm not getting any help from the Park staff, I'm doing it the old fashioned way, by looking at the picture and typing the name. That is with the help of my wife. Enjoy looking at the 14,008 names.

Slipdigit · #8 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Good work, Okinawa. I appreciate you efforts and concerns and the apparent passion with which you have embarked on this job.

Good show.

bigfun · #9 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2008, 03:13 PM

I agree, great work! Looking forward to seeing more.

ItemCo16527 · #10 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2008, 05:42 AM

Email sent!

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #11 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2008, 10:01 AM

Jeff,
I was looking and Lt Gen Buckner's name is on the connecting segment to your Great Uncle's wall segment. I'll make sure to get both segments in the pictures.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #12 (**permalink**) April 9th, 2008, 12:28 PM

So here's a couple of my favorite pictures from the memorial. These and about 150 other pictures are loaded on the website. THANKYOU to all that've visited the site.
I was recently asked to interview for a non disclosed WW2 magazine. So hopefully that'll be out soon. I'll keep you posted.

Please pass the word about what i'm offering. The American Legion won't sponsor my site because it must be voted on at a Lodge meeting, and here on Okinawa there is no Legion post. VFW, i'm still waiting for a reply.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #13 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2008, 02:43 PM

I wasn't able to make it out this weekend, but we're looking on going next week. For those that have emailed me, I'll be sending your package out next week.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #14 (**permalink**) April 18th, 2008, 10:44 AM

So we'll be heading back to the memorial for the rubbings that've been requested over the past two weeks. Hopefully, on the way back we'll stop off at battle sites: Item Pocket, Potter's ridgel, Charlie ridge, Dead Horse Gulch, it sounds like there's several tunnels/caves. We'll see though. Check the site for new pictures. We might stop off at Sugar Loaf Hill, don't know if we'll have enough time.

Vic

If there's any requests for battle sites pictures, just let me know. I'm always up for a good adventure.

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #15 (**permalink**) April 22nd, 2008, 12:33 PM

Another trip done. If you've requested rubbings, your package is on it's way. I've attached a picture of what you'll recieve.

Vic

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #16 (**permalink**) April 26th, 2008, 03:57 AM

I'm posting a couple picturess of the wall segments. One is of Lt Gen Buckner and the other is of Hill 89. I don't know if anyone has ever posted this but one of my favorite sights is Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library : Browse It's the Combined Arms Research Library. It's all declassified documents/maps/everything you could ask for.
Enjoy!

Vic F
Okinawa Memorial Rubbings provided by Bravenet.com

OkinawaMemorialRubbings · #17 (**permalink**) June 13th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Thank you to all that have viewed and sent responses. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I have started a new site called
Home
This site FINALLY has all United States, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Merchant Marines names, along with a picture of the wall segment. It's been an adventure, but the new site is complete.

If anyone knows someone that is in contact with a Merchant Marine Historian, I'd like to talk to them. I've discovered 26 Merchant Marines names that aren't engraved on the Memorial Wall. If I can verify that they need to be there, I can have the names added!!!!