When Keith Zimmerman died, no one wanted his photos. It was not for three generations that I stumbled upon them at a family party. A service member myself -- a United States Marine -- now stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where Keith, my mom’s great-uncle and godfather, had been 75 years before.
As the world is becoming more internationally traveled, there are better opportunities to explore, discover, and find areas that have different meanings to different people. Knowledge of the natives’ culture and beliefs enhances a trip and makes experiencing a new part of the world a once in a lifetime opportunity. Personal pieces of paradise are...
For 75 years Stars and Stripes reporters across the Pacific have covered wars, revolutions, natural disasters and the political changes that marked turning points for the United States and its military overseas.
A short drive from Murasaki Mura are two caves with historical significance: Chibichiri Gama and Shimuku Gama. These caves were used during World War II and now provide a glimpse into what happened in the early days of the Battle of Okinawa.
The history of the Tuskegee Airmen speaks of the bravery, dedicated service and demonstrated skills of African-American fighter pilots during World War II.
Americans may be hard to please when it comes to sandwiches. Every U.S. state has its signature sandwich, and individuals often have their own favorites.
With convenient access from Kadena Air Base, Sunabe Seawall draws divers and surfers for a quick adventure with beautiful fish, coral and a nice wave to catch.
Mainland Japan’s food culture continues to migrate to Okinawa, and every year new Japanese chain restaurants pop up on the island. Even items that were unique to the mainland like “Ehoumaki,” a sushi roll eaten on the day of Setsubun, are now common on Okinawa.
Green tea was very popular amongst Okinawans during the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429 – 1879). During this time, tea imported from China was only served to upper class people and “kuma cha,” as green tea was called, was widely consumed amongst the general masses.
Unlike in South Korea or Bhutan, winter in Okinawa doesn’t take a lot of spicy hot-pot-type dishes to get through. That may be one reason why the subtropical island didn’t offer many spicy foods in the past.
