The 'Atomic Bar' is closed damn it!

[oneighty]

A friend of mine living in Japan recently visited Yokosuka, Japan.
I had asked him to check out the 'Atomic Bar'. Alas it is closed.'
The bar was large enough to seat perhaps ten people. The rear of
the little building butted up against a short mountain. There was a
cave there in the back leading back into the mountain. We sailors were not
allowed entrance there. A large bottle of beer; Ashai, Nippon or Kerin (sp)
beer was about 200 yen, a bottle of the deadly red Acadama wine was also
about 200 Yen. A couple of young sailors could get snot flying drunk for
US one dollar. The owner of the 'Atomic Bar' got into a fight of some type
or another, the right side of his face was ripped open by a meat cleaver.
He was very Samurai looking when the wound had healed and the
scar had formed.

I met my lady friend of the next three years there in the 'Atomic Bar'
Her name was Kazuko. Kazuko was from Niigata, Japan. Niigata was
at one time considered a target for an 'Atomic Bomb'. I understand Nagasaki
got the bomb instead of Niigata. That would have been the implosion weapon
'Fat Man'. I was glad Niigata did not get the 'Fat Man' otherwise I never
would have met Kazuko there at the 'Atomic Bar', back there in the fall of 1952.

My friend sent me a Zippo Lighter from Yokosuka., embossed with:
"US Fleet Activities Yokosuka Japan" I do not smoke so the lighter will
last a long time, but not as long as my memories made there at
'The Atomic Bar".

I arrived in Japan in the Spring of 52, went to Korea for a while,
rode a steam train from Sasebo to Yokosuka. We went through
Hiroshima, Nagasaki on that old train. I was almost 21 when I left Japan.

Today is my wife's birthday. I never forget her birthday because it falls
on Atomic Bomb day. I delivered newspapers on Atomic Bomb day, I was
eleven years old, the paper had a big "VJ" in big red letters on the front page.
I will never forget that day either.

180

[KG]

1. when is your book coming out?

you know the one i'm talking about.

the collection of your DU essays. your short but succinct observations
and recollections.

the world would be a better place with such book available! :)

[oneighty]

2. You are very kind KG.

Check you PM.

Ed