“Reflections from a Well Traveled Man”

To my family for a better understanding of your Husband and Father:

“Man is basically good”

As a young United States Marine, I was sent to Okinawa Japan as part of a tour of Duty. While there I performed my duties in exemplary fashion receiving honors and recognition.

While there I also took the time to meet the people of Okinawa and reflected on how hard it must be to recover from a war only 35 or so years earlier. The older men and women seemed much older than their years and stuck in a time that was a horror I hoped no man or woman had to face in the future. That said, helping the next generation was very important to them and they had dedicated their lives to this renewed purpose.

While there I decided to help the Japanese people as much as possible since I had the chance. I was able to work on projects in the community to better their environment and help to take care of the elder people. I remember specifically the period of problem with the drought and drinking water on the island was scarce. I worked a 12-16 hour shift daily to provide clean, fresh water to the island, driving a 5000 gallon tanker truck through the night all over the island. I helped the people to get their water and never failed to be there on time each day. I specifically helped families and children to make sure they were ok during this period.

By the time I left the island I felt I had at least helped and contributed to the improvement of the Japanese people. I also decided that one day I would return to create a much bigger impact.

25 years later, I have arrived back in Japan and remembering the promise to myself, I have begun my work in this new and different time. Taking my experience that started when I was a boy and built in business and life over 25 years, I am achieving my goal to really help and make a difference here for Japan.

While here I have had the opportunity and privilege to have my meals and needs taken care of by an assistant here. She has been fantastic, ensuring I have everything I need. I talked with her this morning, thanking her for her help. She was very happy to help and explained to me that she was from “Okinawa”. As a young girl she loved it there. She had been helped once by a young American soldier during a time of water shortage. She decided that some day she would provide the help in return for that American boy.

I could not help but reflect on the fact that we are all basically good and our clearest, good decisions to help is who we really are. Good really does ALWAYS triumph over evil.

I invite you to join me in helping someone, anyone, today and from this day on.

With love,

Nick Terrenzi