マーティンデール氏と八藤雄一先輩の手紙

Jun 21, 2003
Dear Yuichi:

I apologize for my delay in writing to you. My only real excuse is that I am getting lazy and have neglected many things that I should be doing; especially, sitting at my desk. Now I am trying to catch-up on answering correspondence and doing some writing.

I was very busy for about two weeks getting some data and copies of photographs together in order to have them ready when Takeo and Nori arrived here. They spent two nights in Austin and we went to see the Nimitz Museum. The three of us flew together to Albuquerque, which is not one of my favorite cities, to attend the ADBC meeting. There were only five of us who had been in Omori ( Joe Alexander, Charles Butterworth, Landy McClamma, Joe Giardina and myself ) . Takeo and Nori kept very busy in interviewing the X-POWs. They seemed to have been satisfied with what they accomplished. Joe Alexander's wife drove them to Santa Fe on Saturday. I was glad that they had the opportunity to see some of the interesting part of New Mexico while they were there. I am curious to hear what they have to say about their visit. It was nice for me to see and to spend some time with them once again.

Since I was feeling good and wanted to get some needed exercise, I flew to San Francisco on Saturday and spent four nights there. I did do a lot of walking the low hills. It was a good brief vacation for me. The bad part of a trip to San Francisco is having to come back and to adjust to the Texas heat.

My main activities since I have been home are having the various examinations which are part of my annual physical examination. The eye test this week will complete the series. I am glad to report that I am alive and that the heart valve appears to be working properly. I will know more about my condition at a later date. I still have some soreness in the upper center part of my chest, which gives me some pain daily. Fortunately, the shooting nerve pangs ( like sudden electric shocks ) have stopped. This soreness is the result of the chest bone not healing properly. This has been a factor in slowing down my normal activities.

I did not go to see the Sugamo exhibit and symposium because of my going to New Mexico. I understand from Bill Barrette that Nori did get to meet him while she was in Priceton after the ADBC meeting. I have not heard any details from her about the event.

I am sorry that I did not have the opportunity to meet Tobita in Princeton. It would have been very interesting to visit with him and to see Bill B. again. My plans had to be changed when I found out that Takeo and Nori were coming to Austin before the ADBC meeting. This did not allow me the time to go to the East coast. There was too much I had to do before they arrived here and then having to be away for more than a week.

Your questions concerning Parker, Muragishi and the P.O.W deposits will have to remain a mystery. I cannot recall hearing any thing that would help in solving any part of the mystery. You and I are like two blood-hound dogs which have been following a scent or trail which suddenly disappears and leaves us flustrated because we cannot end our hunt nor continue to find clues which would bring us to our goals. We are alike in not wanting to have any unanswered questions. It is unfortunate that this trail which is important to both of us will have no ending. Now, I regret that I was too busy with my own duties to be concerned about the P.O.W. deposits at that time. Parker and I did not have very many direct contacts with each other . All of my contacts were with his boss, Captain James. Your assumptions could be correct. I am glad that you found my tabulations satisfactory.

I was glad to learn more about the research network and that the unversity professors are the bosses. Takeo is to be highly commended for the work she has done in getting it started and also for how hard she is now working in gathering and putting together all of the data which she has collected. I was impressed by now careful she was in recording the details from her interviews while I was watching her. I am very sorry that she and Nori did not spend more time in Austin because I wanted to discuss many questions with them.

I feel sure that you will make an excellent and impressive presentation at the meeting in the Fall. That will be a worthy meeting to be recorded for future researchers and historians. Please give Tobita my best wishes and also express my regrets in not being able to meet him.

My best wishes to you and your family.

Sincerely
Bob
Robert R. Martindale


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如水会 実務英語研究会