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Hello Ron and members,
I wrote a few days ago about the meeting planned on Sunday 19th July 2015 and how I had sent a message offering my best wishes to Mr Murphy, the American POW who would be receiving the apology. This was last Wednesday after reading the article from the Los Angeles Times which you kindly gave the link for.
My late father was in the same camp and I actually have photographs of them on their day of liberation by the US Army in September 1945. The Army obviously had their own photographer with them to record the moment.
The organisers of the meeting invited me to attend, not realising I was in Scotland!
My wife told me that if I did not go I would always regret it. Here was an opportunity to meet a man who was incarcerated along with my Dad and also an opportunity to hear first-hand the apology.
I therefore made arrangements on the Thursday morning with the travel agent and flew out on Friday!
I hate flying and have claustrophobia so did not relish the journey, but clearly that was insignificant compared to what our servicemen had endured. I felt that it was something I needed to do for my Dad.
The event was very well organised by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and was held in the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. I was privileged to be met by Rabbi Abraham Cooper and taken to meet privately with Mr Murphy, who was an absolute gentleman at the age of 94 years. He was accompanied by his wife Nancy and his three sons, their wives and some grand-children and a great grandchild. He was charming and very dignified.
We were then taken to have a private introduction to Mr Kimura, a senior executive of Mitsubishi Materials as the company is now known. Through his interpreter, he gave me a personal apology for the suffering caused to my father.
We then had a meeting with seven of the Mitsubishi executive and some other relatives of FEPOW's at which he made a speech on behalf of Mitsubishi formally apologising for the treatment of the POW's during their captivity.
Along with the executive, they stood and made a deep and prolonged bow to the gathering, indicating their deep remorse. None of these men were born during the War and were apologising for the actions of their predecessors.
Mr Murphy made a very dignified response accepting their apology, having consulted earlier with the relatives on their feelings about this. They were all agreed that they should accept the apology.
Each family was asked to speak if they wished, including myself. I made clear that I was not there to speak on behalf of other British FEPOW's or their relatives, as I had not been asked to do so. I would not presume to do such a thing unless mandated accordingly. I said that I believed my father would have attended and accepted the apology but that I was saddened it had come to late for so many of the men. I also said it was important that history was not airbrushed as it was vital that we never forget what happened.
I felt the Mitsubishi officials were genuine in their apology and it was a positive move forward. They hoped that other Japanese companies similarly involved would follow their lead and offer sincere apologies.
We were then taken to the theatre where the world media were assembled to hear the public part of the meeting. There were a huge number of journalists there, including Japanese TV stations and newspapers. Their questions were direct and blunt to the executives, which included being asked if a similar apology would be offered to other Nations. They were clearly saying they would if they were invited.
I was taken aback with the level and intensity of interest and scrutiny that this event generated. I felt it had really stirred up interest in the situation and I can only hope the momentum will continue and that the men left will be suitably apologised to. If a company the size of Mitsubishi has apologised, no-one can later say the atrocities did not happen.
I felt privileged and proud to have been present and to be able to speak my thoughts to the people present. I know some people may feel they could not meet with them and I respect their personal views on the matter. However, as most FEPOW's and the family members I have spoken with over the years have said that an apology would mean so much to them, I felt this was an encouraging and positive step to have taken. The Americans present are all keen to see other Nations receiving an apology.
I hope this short report will help people who are thinking over the whole situation. I respect each and every person's views and would never pass judgement on their stance.
Kindest Regards,
Sandy Gibson
Proud son of a brave Argyll.
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