The winter of 1946 – 1947 was cold in Tokyo, and the ducks on the moat around the Imperial Palace froze right in the ice and couldn’t move until it melted.
One day, I took a street car ride. The cars were usually so crowed that two or three people hung on with the trolley car door open. I wound up being the third or forth one holding on at the door opening. All went well until I nearly got knocked off by the support post that held up the pole from which electricity was provided for the trolley. So after that, I pulled myself in closer to the trolley. Then all went black as the trolley entered a tunnel. I got closer to the car just in time.
Among the several things I did at the trials, one of which was working the Press Section doors. After I got to know the Press photographers, I didn’t require them to put down their cameras, etc, and show me a pass. They would be kind in return, and give me pictures of the court room proceedings.
The only other activity I was ever involved in was when they had a big 4th of July parade down town. We were asked to help provide an honor guard duty at the parade.
Is he pulling our leg with that the ducks freezing in the water. I’m going to call him and ask him.
Let us know what you found out about the ducks! I wondered the same thing when I read that.. He sure had an interesting, and exciting life.
In the movie Fried Green Tomatoes Iggie, older brother told her a story about how the lake came to be on their property. He said a bunch of ducks got caught in the lake when it froze so they all flapped their wings and picked up the lake and moved it! Lol
I wonder why the Japanese had a 4th of July parade. I thought that was our USA celebration. I sure wish Vernon had an electronic Wi-Fi device to set us straight on these things.
Maybe that was here in the USA, that they helped with a parade.