Hurricane Sandy brings to mind our coping with the typhoons, as hurricanes are called in the Far East. When I served as navigator in a B-29 aircraft crew on combat missions over North Korea. We were based at Kadena Air base on the island of Okinawa which in the Oriental language means Big Wind. It is in the direct route of the typhoons which traverse the southeast parts of Asia.

When we were alerted to a typhoon on its way to Okinawa we were kind of overjoyed because we could not fly combat missions. It was a kind of vacation from duties. A time to relax and have fun! A break from hectic times!

We started festivities by visiting the liquor store on the base. The best brands of Whiskey sold for around 3 bucks. No tax! I usually met Frank (Whiskey) Baker, my chum from cadet days. Originally from Boston he lives in Florida before joining the Army Air Corps. He was a bombardier. He was quite an intellectual but retained his Boston accent. He sneered at me for talking only one bottle while he took more. He complained that his duties required only a half hour on missions. He claimed that he could train any dog t press the right buttons and switches so he could go on missions while Whiskey stayed at home.

There is nothing better to soothe a weary warrior than the charms of a loving female.

Thank you for your courtesies.

Very truly yours.

Peter Book ( a.k.a. Pedro Libro)