Pearl Harbor Warriors: The Bugler, the Pilot, the Friendship

This book provides the reader with two very different perspectives regarding Pearl Harbor and those who fought and died during that tragic event. This story follows the lives of an American colonel and Japanese bomber pilot as they first came into contact during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and then fifty years later when both men attempted to contact each other in order to commemorate their services during the war. The unlikely friendship that developed between the two military personnel is a testament to the power of forgiveness and friendship. This story is easy to read and relatively short, but the messages about love, hate, war, and forgiveness are incredibly moving. This story could also easily supplement a middle or high school social studies lesson relating to Pearl Harbor or WWII.

It is actually written as letters between the author and her granddaughter Jennifer. It opens with Jennifer asking about a piece of jewelry she found in a jewelry box. Dorinda proceeded to write back about the "Remember Pearl Harbor" pin and what it stood for. She told Jennifer about the bombing on 7 December 1941 that she herself witnessed as a child. She told Jennifer about Richard Fiske, a young Marine bugler, who was aboard the USS West Virginia that morning. As he was preparing to blow his bugle he spotted the planes coming towards the ships and saw the bombs dropping. He couldn't believe his eyes as his ship was struck along with so many others. He saw many sailors and Marines die before he was told to abandon ship. Richard soon hated the Japanese. Dorinda also told Jennifer about one of the many Japanese pilots who flew on that mission. Zenji Abe was in the second wave of planes following orders to drop bombs on Pearl Harbor. He soon found himself being shot at by the Americans-something that didn't happen very much during the first wave. This Hawaiian born and raised grandmother told her granddaughter about other things such as the role women played during this time of war, the events that took place in Hawaii following that terrible morning, how the war came to an end and so much more. Jennifer was excited by the information Dorinda had shared. She told her schoolmates. But she wanted to know more about Richard and Zenji. Dorinda wrote back telling her as much as she could about the two men from different sides of the world. She told Jennifer what they did with the rest of their lives and how they eventually became friends. Dorinda told her granddaughter that she would soon be receiving something special in the mail-and that she did. Jennifer got letters from both of these men. They wanted "to share their friendship story with the children of America and Japan." I think Dorinda did a marvelous job passing along this little history lesson to Jennifer and so many others who have read this book.

This is one of those rare children's books that both touches the soul and informs the mind. It is the story of two men - first enemies, now friends - who build a bridge of forgiveness and understanding across the years. Told through letters between a grandmother and her granddaughter, readers are gently swept into a tale of reconciliation and hope. With a deft touch the author has presented a story for readers of any age. While a children's book in concept and delivery, it is also an adult book full of perception and promise. Any reader, young or old, will come away with a renewal of the human spirit and a hope for peace and understanding between humans as well as the countries in which they live. This will be a beautiful addition to any classroom, any home library and any study of war and its consequences. Run, do not walk, to obtain a copy of this book. Parents: be sure to share it with your kids; teachers: please share it with your students. There's much to admire and much to learn in these wonderfully rendered and textually rich pages. It deserves every award it has or will receive.