Pen Pals

I love learning about my family history.   In this case, there are two reasons why.  One-I get to know more about my dad and his life before I came along, and two-in an instance like this, I may be able to help my dad find a long lost friend.
So my guest blogger today is my dad-Robert.    I would love for you to let him know what you think:)


When I was still in high school, sometime after the end of WW 2, I had a pen pal in Hilo, Hawaii.  Her name was Elsie Ryusaki.  She had two brothers who had served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe.  She even sent me a shoulder patch of the famed regiment which I still have and cherish.  We corresponded for a couple of years - she went on to the University Of Hawaii and I  joined the U.S. Navy.  Our paths parted.


Just recently I was reminiscing and I wondered, "Where is Elsie Ryusake?"


My son in law did a little searching on the Internet using the name Ryusaki and he came across an obituary for George Ryusaki.  This obituary listed a sister of George's named Elsie Yamamoto and from that point I picked up the trail.Doing a bit of searching on my own I came across an Elsie Yamamoto, aged 81 (just about right) who lives in Honoka'a, not far from Hilo. However, when I tried that name in directory assistance for Honoka'a, it came back with 'name not found'. 


Is this the end of the trail?"


For my dad’s sake, I hope not.  Here’s to finding long lost friends…