This is an English Translation of an article that appeared in a Japanese Newspaper July 2013.
By Tsutae Tanaka of Toyokawa, Japan
"Tsutae!"
"DeMarlo!"
Rushing over, we wrapped our arms around each other in a tight hug, cheek to cheek. Tears. Only tears.
That was the moment of our reunion of 25 years. It was a passionate meeting that I never would have expected.
It was on June 23, 1988 that Kanaya Elementary School welcomed DeMarlo-san, a junior high school chaperone and leader of a group of students from Cupertino. I myself also led a group of Toyokawa junior high students to Cupertino on October 7th of that same year. That was 25 years ago. Cupertino is home to the headquarters of the Apple Corporation, and as such every classroom had a computer. I was surprised at how easily the elementary students were able to handle those computers.
This visit I stayed with the Sakkases, who as a family welcomed and hosted me for six days. I can't understand English at all, but their warm hospitality came across to me so very clearly.
In closing, I would like to once again express my great admiration to the city of Toyokawa for its insight and skill in organizing and implementing this adult delegation for the sister city 35th anniversary. I would like to express my greatest appreciation to the Mayor of Toyokawa and the people of the Toyokawa International Association for their wonderful consideration and thoughtfulness.
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*Notes on the translation:
Tani's mother used "DeMarlo" as opposed to "Pat" in the article, as that is what she knows Pat DeMarlo as. It is not meant to be rude, and putting in a Ms. would make it sound too formal. I had a similar problem later on, but decided to use the expression DeMarlo-san as was written in the Japanese.
