高村憲子氏　スピーチ

It is always a pleasure for us to have friends from Kalamazoo. Welcome back, Steve and Jane. And President Dunn, We are very happy and honored to have you here today.

As far as I remember, the first Kalamazoo-kai gathering took place at Dr, Watanabe’s house with Dr. and Mrs.Soga. The second one was at my house with Mrs. Soga in 1976, when about twenty of us got together including our children.

Since then, Fujishima-san organized this group and Mr.Uetani, Mr.Kitagawa, and Oshima-san put so much time and effort to continue. We enjoyed many reunions with Dr. and Mrs.Soga.

In the Meantime, we have lost Dr. and Mrs. Watanabe , Prof. Sakou, Yumiko san, and my husband Mamoru. Now we have lost Oshima-san’s wife Kiyoko last year, and Dr.Soga, this year. I’m still finding it difficult to believe.

President Dunn, when you go back, please tell the people of Kalamazoo and at Western that, in this corner of the world, this group of us are thinking of Kalamazoo, and wishing, not only for the good relationship between the US and Japan, but for the peace all over the world, because that was what Dr.Soga wanted all through his life.

I hope that you enjoy the rest of the trip, and come back to see us again. And members of Kalamazoo Kai, let us hope that we will see each other, very soon.
Thank you.