Vol 9, Number 1
Spring - Summer 2008
FEPOW Day - August 15th
“A day to remember the tens of thousands of allied prisoners of war and civilian internees who were captured by the Japanese in World War II.
They suffered from hunger, disease, torture and despair – and many thousands died, for the freedom that we enjoy today.
FEPOW Day is a worldwide day of remembrance for the Far East POWs. Please join with us this year and every year to celebrate this special day.”
PLEASE REMEMBER THE PRICE THEY PAID !
The FEPOWs (Far East Prisoners of War) endured 3 ½ years of the most horrific mental and physical treatment, including starvation, diseases, over-work, beatings, torture etc.Those lucky enough to return home continued to suffer in silence with ongoing nightmares and bad health, yet they endeavored to try and live normal lives, never complaining or asking for anything.They have never been fully recognized for all the mental and physical torment they went through, and we would like to see that they are permanently honored with a memorial day in their name.
FEPOW Day is a day of remembrance for all those who were held as Japanese Prisoners of War during World War II - whatever nationality, color or religion, and whether service personnel, civilians or romusha (Asians pressed into slavery by the Japanese who overran their countries).
The idea for FEPOW Day was first conceived by a group of FEPOWs, their family members, historians, researchers and friends in the UK. August 15th was selected to be the date as it is the day Japan surrendered, and those who gained their freedom could look back and remember lost mates who did not make it through the nightmarish existence of the Japanese labor camps, and also their first day of freedom. It is not intended to minimize or replace VJ Day or VP Day - as it is sometimes referred to now, but to be celebrated equally with it.
FEPOW Day is spreading worldwide and was celebrated for the first time last year on August 15th. We hope that veterans’ organizations - the various Legions worldwide, the American VFW, the RSL’s from Australia and New Zealand, the allied nations’ governments and all those who support and wish to remember the FEPOWs, will endorse this special day of remembrance and join with us to remember those who suffered so much.
More information may be found at http://www.fepow-day.org where a web petition and a draft letter are available to add your support. Please help us to make this a day when we can universally remember the FEPOWs, whether in our own home or at gatherings around the world.
Very Sincerely,
The FEPOW Remembrance Day Group
NOTE: The Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society is proud to be a part of this project with the FEPOW Day Group, and is currently the representative for Taiwan and Asia.
UPCOMING EVENTS . . .
SPECIAL FEPOW DAY EVENT BEING PLANNED FOR TAIPEI
This year for the first time ever, we are planning to hold a special commemorative event to celebrate “FEPOW DAY” here in Taiwan. It will be held on Sunday August 10 at “The Taipei Film House” on Chungshan North Road.
There will be a memorial tribute to the FEPOWs, followed by a showing of the film “A War Story” – depicting life in the Kinkaseki POW Camp from 1942 - 1945. In addition a collection of Taiwan POW artifacts will be on display.
For those in Taiwan, an email will be sent out several weeks before the event with further details. We hope you will join with us for this memorable occasion. We thank the City of Taipei for co-sponsoring this event with us.
DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO HONOUR EXECUTED POW AIRMEN
We are pleased to announce the dedication of a plaque to be set on the wall of the former Taipei Prison to honour the memory of 14 the American airmen who were needlessly executed there by a Japanese firing squad after a mock trial 63 years ago. A memorial service was previously held at the site in June 2005.
We are still working on finalizing all of the details and plans for the event, and the date, time and meeting place will soon be confirmed.
Local Taiwan residents will be notified of more details by email closer to the time of the dedication ceremony.