Hiroshi Fukurai, a sociology professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, explains that the roots of SOFA liein the wave of U.S. colonization of islands such as Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines in the late 19thcentury: The U.S. wanted to protect its citizens from what it saw as odd local laws, so it created extraterritorial jurisdiction whereby military members and other Americans were exempt from punishment. The Regiment was joined there by the 9th Marines to form the 3d . Ann was understandably ill at ease about the prospect. Interviewed by Okinawa police andNCIS agents, he denied any involvement and attempted to provide an alibi but it did not check out. Click to Subscribe to the Civilian Exposure Newsletter for Latest News & Updates Today! Both the U.S. and Japanese governments want to minimize peoples awareness of the number of crimes committed by U.S. service members on Okinawa. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Japan to rename sex crime to highlight illegality of nonconsensual intercourse, Japan child abuse cases reach new record; revenge porn on the rise, 28-year-old woman picked to be astronaut by Japans space agency, High school student arrested after teacher stabbed at school in Saitama, In push to mend ties, South Koreas Yoon says Japan has gone from 'aggressor to partner. The kind of reporting we do is essential to democracy, but it is not easy, cheap, or profitable. "It is always good to check the weather and terrain before going out and be careful of rip currents. On Camp Hansen in November 2008, a marine hosed down a heavy equipment parking area, washing an estimated 4 liters of unknown POLs (pollutants) into drains which then flowed off base close to the Japanese elementary school.. Marines and Sailors reporting to Marine Corps commands - MCIPAC/IIIMEF (MCB, 1st MAW, 3rd MLG and 3rd Mar Division) In the spring of 2018, the NCIS investigated two on-base incidents. - A M16 A4 service rifle is broken down for an inspection and cleaning Aug. 9, 2018 at the Camp Foster armory, Okinawa, Japan. A U.S. Marine teaches English to an Okinawa resident during the English discussion class at the chapel on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (MCAS), Okinawa, Japan, March 16, 2021. Hawaii. Japanese base workers: 576 US service members: Classified. Your first name:* Still, these Marines arguably have nothing on the intoxicated 27-year-old sailor arrested in Feb. 2019 after a Japanese couple found him in their home naked and using their shower. US Military Returns Land to Japan, but Okinawa Isnt Celebrating. Hydraulic fluid spills within MCAS Futenma totaled 405 liters. Once you receive your RO decision, send us a note online or give us a call at (877) 629-1712 to see if we can help you win your appeal. The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill, by Lt. Col. Michael E. Feuquay, opinion contributor - 02/07/22 1:00 PM ET, by Christopher McCallion, Opinion Contributor, U.S. News & World Report responds to law, medical school departures from rankings, Democratic AGs slam DeSantis for seeking info on college students receiving gender-affirming care, California nurses slam state decision to roll back COVID-19 requirements in health care settings, Biden hosts German leader to discuss Ukraine support, Fallout from toxic Ohio spill lingers a month later, Federal agency urges railroads to review how they share hazmat info in wake of Ohio train derailment, Pelosi on DC crime bill: I wish Biden wouldve told us first, home to many of the U.S. bases in the Indo-Pacific region, the forward U.S. presence of military forces on Okinawa, Koda and other analysts believe China might attack Yonaguni and possibly other nearby islands to control approaches to Taiwan., as Chinese government vessels have been caught entering Japanese territorial waters, All of my Marines on Okinawa are willing to die if it is necessary for the security of Japan., A modest proposal to regulate assault-style weapons again, Why Ken Calvert deserves support for cutting the Pentagons civilian workforce, The Munich Security Conference was a display of the West v. the rest, The Ukraine divide threatens the GOPs unwavering legacy on defense, FBI Dir accuses China of obfuscating Covid investigation, Poll finds Ron DeSantis top choice for 2024 GOP nominee, Republicans notch key win with Bidens DC crime bill move, House Democrats rally behind Biden ahead of expected 2024 announcement, Judiciary Democrats go after GOP whistleblowers in FBI probes, Texas property tax bill excludes divorced, LGBTQ couples from getting relief, Trump asks for roughly six-month delay in New York fraud case, Michael Steele on Marjorie Taylor Greene: Just shut the hell up, Florida bill would require bloggers to register before writing about DeSantis, Liberals fume over Bidens turn against home rule in decision on DC crime bill, House Democrats blindsided as Biden changes tune on DC crime bill, Bill to make daylight saving time permanent reintroduced in Congress. Teen Employment and Volunteer Opportunities Unaccompanied USMC and USN E-6 and above personnel are not impacted by this information. The U.S. government has awarded compensation to the ailing former marine at the center of allegations that Agent Orange was dumped on Futenma Air Base in Okinawa. He also admitted to masturbating inside his car at the same mall and elsewhere on four previous occasions. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! They believe the U.S.-Japan relationship should take priority over the rights of Okinawans, she said. The Battle of Okinawa, the largest land battle of World War II's Pacific theater, was the conflict's amphibious high-water mark for the number of men landed, casualties incurred, and military equipment used. 289 Following. page is designed to provide useful information to help organize your transition. Overseas Housing Allowance: This allowance helps service members pay for overseas housing "on the economy," or off-base in the surrounding civilian neighborhood. Most young men are single. According to The Japan Times, Roberts is the first veteran known to have won compensation for exposure on Futenma. The installation, he says, is not adequately equipped to deal with such a conflagration and the fire-fighting capabilities at MCAS Futenma are very poor., Severns said he was unable to respond to vague and unsourced comments.. Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary blasts Ocasio-Cortez: She kills jobs by the Steve Bannon blasts Murdochs, Fox News in fiery CPAC speech. Even when the USMC decides to report incidents to the Japanese authorities, the FOIA-released documents reveal discrepancies about what is told Tokyo. While the United States views our military presence in Okinawa as a force for good, the PRCs perspective is decidedly much different. The company's line of business includes transportation services. Both AFFF and hydraulic fluid can contain perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a substance linked to cancer, damage to the immune system and harm to fetuses and infants. The horror of Agent Orange and its effects on Vietnam war veterans and Vietnamese citizens is well-documented. This website uses cookies to enable certain functions and to improve your user experience. benchmade adamas exclusive; disney plus march 2022 releases; marines ill from serving on okinawa . A similar uproar occurred in 1995 when, commenting on the rape of the 12-year-old girl by three service members, Adm. Richard C. Macke, commander of the United States Pacific Command, said it would have cost less to visit a prostitute than hire the vehicle the rapists had used to abduct the child. Bridgeport. In March 2009, a similar accident had occurred at the same fuel tank. I never realized: Airbnb hosts warn of scam taking advantage of Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. United States Marine Corps Minot, North Dakota March 23, 1945 to September 22, 1967 . Six of the suspects were Marines; one was a military contractor affiliated with the Marine Corps; and one, the perpetrator of the shopping mall exposure, was a sailor. As we begin a new year, many military service members and their families have shifted focus to an upcoming summer move. Although the June spill apparently did not escape the base, other incidents did. Since 2011, The Japan Times has published accounts of hundreds of veterans [suggesting] Vietnam War defoliants were stored, sprayed and buried throughout the island. Journalist Jon Mitchell has reported on the issue in Japanese and English, and maintains a website about Agent Orange and military defoliants on Okinawa. For more than 25 years, Takazato and the members of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence have compiled an ongoing chronology of U.S. military rapes of Okinawan women. In my previous Okinawa tour, a decade ago, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl . Typically, decisions to be a geographic bachelor that is, to leave family members in the U.S. while the service member moves to the forward location revolve around personal finance or family education considerations. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Jon Mitchell, FOIA Documents: Drunk US Marines 2015 dump of toxic foam among accidents polluting Okinawa water supply, The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. Childcare Options For Military Families. Family safety and security have not previously been major decision factors: they are today. Nicole Rogge. However, stability in the Asia-Pacific region is diminishing as a direct result of aggressive policy and actions of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). This series primarily consists of command chronologies of U.S. Marine Corps units that served during the time of the Vietnam Conflict, and includes the records of those units that served in Vietnam as well as domestically and throughout the world. The 2009 report blamed a leak of fuel into the sea on the failure of Schwabs OWS and stated that they do not work in heavy rain. Contamination at MCAS Futenma has also alarmed local residents. or redistributed. Witnesses told police that the incident had left them disturbed. The Intercept is an independent nonprofit news outlet. If you or someone you know suffered an injury or has a condition that was caused or aggravated by your active military service, please contact us. Restitution for Civilians Exposed to Contaminates Can Our Drinking Water Was Not Just Radioactive. Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images Joining is simple and doesnt need to cost a lot: You can become a sustaining member for as little as $3 or $5 a month. The report makes no mention that Okinawa police were notified of the American employees harassment of the maid, and the NCIS closed the case without finding the suspect. Both witnesses told police the sailor ought to be severely punished. As regional tensions intensify, I find myself thinking about a 2010 quote from the former Marine Forces Pacific Commander, Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder (Ret. Who would hold party elites accountable to the values they proclaim to have? Available here. Over 16.5 million men and women served in the armed forces during World War II, of whom 291,557 died in battle, 113,842 died from other causes, and 670,846 were wounded. Its a tough choice which only highlights the sacrifices military families make day in and day out. In 2004, the crash of a USMC helicopter into the neighboring Okinawa International University only increased demands for MCAS Futenmas closure. Anyone who set foot in Vietnam during the war is eligible for compensation if they become ill with one of 14 cancers or other ailments linked to Agent Orange. "We started digging, then we found some barrels," Roberts tells All Things Considered guest host Tess Vigeland. . Members of the Okinawa Defense Bureau witnessed the accident but apparently did not notify the Japanese government. Forces Japan spokesman Maj. John Severns defended the policy: The decision to notify ODB (Okinawa Defense Bureau) is made by USFJ in accordance with Joint Committee agreements, Severns wrote by email. Warning: Thisarticle contains graphic descriptions of sexual assault. How Are Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Project Members Still Alive? Legal Statement. There are hundreds of these roles available for aspiring Marines, roles the Marine Corps refers to as Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). Anywhere offense can be taken it will be used.. If you are about to PCS to Okinawa, or are sponsoring someone that is PCSing, congratulations! Named after Battle of Okinawa hero, Albert E. Schwab, and built upon a former civilian internment camp, the remains of approximately 300 Okinawans still lie within the base. But the ruling pointedly does not mention Agent Orange. Mixed in with a local population of slightly more than a million and occupying about 20 percent of the total area of Okinawa, the United States military has a hard time keeping a low profile. by Deuterman Law Group. But many U.S. veterans who never fought in that war say they, too, handled toxic chemicals at military bases around the world, suffering the same health consequences. Captain William M. Deniston. Despite the injury and the fact that the containers paperwork had not been filled out, the USMC supervisor failed to report the incident. Courtesy of Lt. Col. Kris Roberts The horror of Agent Orange. Recent reports in the U.S. media have revealed that the military may have been aware of the dangers of PFOS since 1979 and in 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned it might be carcinogenic. The proportion of military suspects prosecuted dropped to 15 percent in 2020,according to the nongovernmental organizationJapan Peace Committee. The business address is 73-1, Maehara, Uruma-Shi, 904-2235, JPN. Quotes tagged as "military" Showing 1-30 of 1,033. "They may have problems, their children may have problems, and they may have no idea what caused them," he says. Small arms . It provided military documentation that he handled the dangerous chemical barrels proof many other sick Okinawa veterans dont have. They fail to note Japanese prosecutors low indictment rate of military personnel, and they are silent on offenses committed within the military, including rape and sexual assault. The Japan Times LTD. All rights reserved. The source of my concern lies in the aforementioned actions of the PRC. Photo: Toru Yamanaka/AFP via Getty Images. The area was crowded with cars and pedestrians, and for half an hour, the 23-year-old American masturbated in front of women and approached drivers stopped at traffic lights. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its . Its one thing for a Marine to deploy to a region with increasing aggression from a rising adversary; its what we sign up to do. Following the discovery, senior officers ordered the clandestine removal of the barrels for disposal elsewhere. On-base rivers flow into the nearby bay, an area categorized as the highest priority by Okinawa Prefecture in its list of places requiring environmental protection. News. But due to a pretrial agreement, he received only 30 days and was permitted to leave the military under an administrative separation. U.S. This world in arms is not spending money alone. 1, October 5, 2015. Okinawan officials on Sunday reported a total of 61 cases 38 of them at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is at the center of a relocation dispute, and another 23 at Camp Hansen since. Autumn of 2018 saw two more assaults. Get our Free Newsletter. Captain Deniston is a native of Carbondale Illinois and graduated from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIU-C) in 1989 with a BA in Psychology. They think if this information becomes public, it will harm U.S.-Japan relations. Packing so many military facilities onto Okinawa concentrates many of the problems there: aircraft accidents, environmental contamination, and crime, particularly against women. [8], Last year, tests conducted by Urasoe City on a river adjacent to Camp Kinser found sediment contaminated with the same toxins, suggesting that the base continues to suffer from serious contamination. Describing the Americans actions as hideous, one of the security guards said he would not be able to forget what had happened. A key component of the environmental protection infrastructure of airports, factories and military bases, OWS prevents substances such as fuels and solvents from leaking into the environment. The Intercept has requested this data from United States Forces Japan but it has not yet been provided. Agent Orange on Military Lands in Okinawa? 2. He was a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1965 through 1969 and served 13 months at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Please visit the below links to start familiarizing yourself with options available to you. The Marine divisions preparing to assault Okinawa experienced yet another organizational change, the fourth of the war. An NBC News Black history special, American Vets: Benefits, Race & Inequality, will stream tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC News Now. In January 1971, the American government embarked on Operation Red Hat, which it deemed one of the most difficult operations ever accomplished by the United States military forces. The operation, which was detailed in a military public relations video, involved the moving of 13,000 tons of toxic munitions from Okinawa to Johnston Atoll. Likewise, no reports for Camp Schwab were released for the years 2008 and 2010, nor were there any documents related to the crash of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter on Camp Hansen in August 2013. The decision whether to classify an incident as politically sensitive is left in the hands of the USMC. With decades of combined experience overturning VA denials, we are confident that we can help you win the benefits you deserve. Although the prefecture consists of less than1 percent of Japans total land mass, it has 70 percent of the countrys U.S. facilities; 11 of the bases in Okinawa belong to the U.S. Marine Corps. Commander. On the theory that the chemicals were coming from the base fuel farm a collection of underground fuel tanks Roberts was ordered to build a floodgate. When the investigation was published, the Japanese government made no public comment. This can be done no earlier than 30 days prior to arrival/check-in. (The Intercept has revealed similar gaps in reporting sexual assaults committed by U.S. troops in Africa.). However USFJ emails obtained under the FOIA show that the coverage prompted the MOD and MOFA to demand the U.S. military hand over the 8700-plus pages of documents upon which the articles had been based. They have the mentality that they wont be punished here, and they think Okinawan women dont report sexual assaults, she said. marines ill from serving on okinawahow long does it take to digest raw broccoli. He was forced to resign. It stores impressive amounts of ammunitions and spreads over 1,000,000 square feet, and is comprised . Within a year of the incident, Roberts began noticing serious health problems. U.S. Marine internal reports highlight serious flaws in training and suggest that the lessons of past accidents have not been effectively implemented. Look what's happening to the people that were affected by these hazardous chemicals. Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. Japanese prosecutors declined to prosecute, and the U.S. military decided not to take action either. The Welcome Aboard page is designed to provide useful information to help organize your transition. According toMarine Corps court-martial summaries, sex crimes targeting children are endemicamong theMarines in Okinawa. The expert explained that the cause of the accident was marines overriding a safety solenoid with a plastic tie. Available here. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Since 2002, at least 270 environmental accidents on U.S. Marine Corps bases on Okinawa have contaminated land and local waterways but, until now, almost none of these incidents has been made public. But as our team pointed out in this clients case, most of the research Young cites is his own, not that of other researchers and scientists. In the early 1980s, the USMC discovered elevated chemical readings in storm water flowing from the base. 1. But vets with an array of other illnesses where the connection is less well established continue to push for benefits. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. U.S. Marines based in Okinawa Prefecture dumped water contaminated with a potentially dangerous chemical into the local sewage system on Aug. 26, raising a stink among central, prefectural and . The latest release of papers related to Futenma, Schwab and Hansen suggest lax safety standards have caused many of the incidents. But it is even worse for victims of the U.S. military. The expert, who has been working for more than 10 years on U.S. installations in Japan, provided a 12-second video of the spill. But before the officers arrived, the man got into his car and left the scene. Roberts says for him, this case isn't about the money. Although the cooks. @USMC. U.S. Military. Marine Corps Three Okinawa-based Marines accused of attempting to smuggle cannabis into Japan By Matthew M. Burke and Mari Higa Stars and Stripes December 23, 2021 Importing cannabis. Cherry Point. Japanese school girls and their teacher look at a U.S. air base in Kadena, Okinawa, Japan, on June 22, 2005. Catalogued in 403 pages of USMC handbooks and reports obtained under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, the accidents occurred on three of the USMCs most important installations on Okinawa: MCAS Futenma, Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. USMC Camp Schwab. The Japan Times first wrote about Roberts, who served as a facilities maintenance officer at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan in 1981. Due to its strategic importance to the U.S. and the PRCs unwavering pursuit of the China Dream, it is not unreasonable to think that Okinawa could find itself caught in the proverbial crosshairs. If accurate, the assessment raises serious concerns for the installation particularly given the propensity for torrential precipitation in the Yambaru jungles where Schwab is situated. Okinawa is a paradise for U.S. service members wanting to sexually assault women. Two Veterans Win Compensation, Many More Denied, The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. It was easy for police to confirm that the suspect was a U.S. service member his cars license plate was stamped with the letter Y, a registration assigned to military members, their dependents, and contractors in Japan, more than 55,000 of whom live in Okinawa. The NCIS tried to locate the suspect in Okinawa, but they could not find him because he had quit his on-base job and checked out of the hotel earlier than scheduled. That toxic chemicals were stored on Okinawa is not in dispute. The U.S. military presence on Okinawa is important to both the United States and regional allies and partners. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. U. S. Army Garrison Okinawa Commander, Lt. Col. Zachary B. Hohn, discusses with Okinawa Governor, Denny Tamaki new construction plans on Torii Station, Okinawa, as part of the consolidation and relocation project Japan, Jan. 31, 2019. Article and Multimedia Submission Guidelines. Camp Kinser: Marine Corps Base on Okinawa, Japan. Your last name:* Okinawa is a great location with much to offer for both Marines and their families. 1, May 1, 2016. Local Offices: Find Marine Corps Installations. Most young women are not. Video. The United States created the Tenth Army, a "joint" force consisting of the 7th, 27th, 77th, and 96th infantry divisions of the US Army; the 1st, 2nd, and 6th divisions of the Marine Corps, and its own Tactical Air Force (Army Air Corps and Marine Air Wings). Agency Details Website: U.S. Marine Corps . He even received a certificate commemorating his participation, and this ended up being a key piece of evidence in his VA Disability claim. Orientation lectures, given to new Marines arriving on the island, state, U.S. Forces Japan denied that the problem could damage the local environment. CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan - U.S. Marines moved swiftly throughout the kitchen with speed and intensity, yet demanded precision and proper technique while handling meals. The former soldier, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, had previously been denied multiple times for disability benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). At this point, according to the NCIS report, Okinawa police decided to drop the case, and the suspects command also decided not to take any further action. It was standard practice for Marines to be rotated out of combat, and . "And then I got prostate cancer. U.S. Marine Corps and Army officials in Okinawa hosted Prefectural Governor Denny Tamaki for his first official visits to U.S. military installations since being elected governor. With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James W. Bierman, commanding general, 3d Marine Division, presents the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sgt. Some people call it thymus cancer and I had to have that removed out of my chest," Roberts says. U.S. Available here. He was transferred from Illinois to Purdue University where he finally lived up to his potential. 7. In a COVID-19 environment, PCS just got more difficult, but we have lined out the step-by-step process for PCS that you need to follow to ensure a smooth PCS process. The corporation number is #MNFFN3FK4FG8. The reports do not include investigations into offenses committed by soldiers and members of the U.S. Air Force nor do they take into account the number of victims who do not report their attacks. Forces Japan in response to NPR's request for comment said, in part: "The veterans who made claims about Herbicide Orange remembered actual events that happened. Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA. the U.S. Marines saluted his nearly forgotten valor by flying a flag in his honor over the 3rd Marine Division Command Post in Okinawa, Japan, last July 11. . In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. More recently, in May, 1060 litres of fuel spilled within a storage area on Camp Schwab. Learning Sportsmanship and Team Spirit Through Sports. First Class Nicholas James-McLean was driving a truck . The Okinawa Marines homepage states that most of them are law abiding, honorable and respectful and claims: According to the Okinawa Prefectural Police (OPP) the U.S. SOFA per capita crime rate is less than half the crime rate in Okinawa.. @2013-2021 - Civilian Exposure. In October, at an off-base establishment, a Marine pulled down a womans shirt to expose her breasts. In mainland Japan and overseas, people are aware of only a few of these crimes, notably the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. service members in 1995 and the rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman by a former Marine in 2016. While soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals in Vietnam automatically qualify for certain disabilities like prostate cancer, Okinawa vets face a much tougher battle when trying to prove to the VA that their cancers and other health problems are service connected. JWX 23 is a large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain . USFJ did not inform the Japanese government of the scale of the incident, which ultimately necessitated the disposal of 11 208-liter drums of contaminated earth and 3028 liters of contaminated water. Fly from Illinois on American Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA and more. The appearance of links does not constitute endorsement. A map of Okinawa and U.S. Marine Corps bases. This was DLGs first case involving an Okinawa veteran, but the team is now working on behalf of others who also served there and developed health problems as a result. He was not recorded on a sexual offender registry. We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. There you will spend a day learning about Okinawa, available resources, and a multitude of pertinent information as well as take the test for your drivers license. I am certain Marine Corps leadership would send dependents home should intelligence reports indicate an imminent threat to those on the island of Okinawa; however, with the PRCs growing confidence and unpredictability, inbound families should take a closer look at potential threats to safety. Operation I CEBERG, the campaign to seize Okinawa, was now two months old--and badly bogged down. The 6th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "6th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The incident comes a year after another Marine saved a Japanese woman who was caught in a rip current in Okinawa. Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), constantly reviewing the lessons learned in the war to date, had just completed a series of revisions to the tables of organization and equipment for the division and . 3, April 1, 2016. Using closed-circuitTV cameras, the guards located the suspect still masturbating and contacted the local police department. Moreover, recent USMC guidelines order service members not to inform Japanese authorities of accidents deemed politically sensitive, raising concerns that many incidents may have gone unreported. Unfortunately, this time feels different as I view this upcoming move through the lens of husband and father. "Later on, there was a typhoon and the whole area flooded because somebody had closed the [flood] gate.