Gone, but not forgotten.

When I began researching my novel, Pursuit of the Golden Lily, I was astounded at how little I knew about the history of the Pacific War.  It was not taught to me in school; so much of what happened there was left out of our history books.  What I learned, profoundly disturbed me.  There is an abundance of material about WWII in Europe.  Most people know of the malevolence perpetrated by the Nazis - it's widely available through books and movies as well as history books.   But of Japan's role in committing equally egregious crimes against humanity, there remains much ignorance.  I am not setting out to vilify modern day Japan - as my father always said: "in war, people do terrible things."  They too suffered a terrible consequence.  I do, however, want to pay tribute to the millions of people who lost their lives under the occupation and imprisonment of the Japanese Imperial Army.  And my story, in particular happens to be personally connected to the souls who slaved to build the Thailand-Burma "Death" Railway.  The Thailand Burma Railway Center will house my father's diary; it will be on display for all to read.  He risked his life to write it and I think he would be glad that his little piece of history will live on.  I encourage people to visit the TBRC website, or, if in Thailand, to go to the center itself.  The Burma Thailand Railway Memorial Association is also a good resource.