Regent Japan cruise Okinawa Part four. Return to Okinawa HD 1080p

Part four of our March/April 2023 Regent Seven Seas Explorer cruise through Japan and South Korea.
In this segment our ship has its port of call in Naha, Okinawa. I was in Okinawa, at various times, during 1968-69 while in transit to Vietnam while I was in the Marine Corps. In 1968 I was sent back from Vietnam after only a week or so since I was 17 years old and a restriction had been put in place mandating 18 years old as the minimum age for this war zone. I was joined in Okinawa by fellow Marines, on float with 1st Battalion-27th Marine Regiment who were of the same age. We worked in supply till our 18th birthdays then reunited with our units back in Vietnam.
My stay, in 1968, on Okinawa allowed me to meet these fine citizens and see their beautiful island. However, I was always intrigued by the ferocious battle that took place on their peaceful island in the spring of 1945.
Regent's shore excursion had a Battle of Okinawa tour and I elected to go on it. My wife, fearing the many steps and more interested in seeing the Shuri Castle elected an alternate tour.
As this video of my day there will show, this island was devastated by this battle and many Okinawan citizens suffered greatly in the turmoil of war. After visiting three sights that were so much a part of this tour I was emotionally touched. Having seen the depredation of war first hand I could only imagine the innermost details that over 200,000 people suffered.
In the effort to make this video I do hope viewers will see the Island as inhabited by such gracious people, a fruitful land and so respectful of the sacrifices of their ancestors during these months of such devastation, not only to their island, but to their relatives as well. Truly an island of Honor and Respect!
Gene McCandless