A podcast about post World War Two life at Camp Zama, Kanagawa Japan in the early 1950s.

Two sisters write home to their family in Harrisburg, PA. The same events with two very different views!

Margaret Harnish, Japan 1953

Bernice Harnish, Japan 1954

Helen Harnish, Maclay Street 1957

John Harnish (unknown)

A passion for family, travel and adventure!

Bern, Peg and Karen

Episode #1 The Beginning

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From Maclay Street to Zama

Episode #2 Seattle

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Also available on iHeartRadio, Pandora and Amazon Music, ListenNotes, Apple Podcasts, Deezer and YouTube!

SEASON 1– Episode #3 Stuck in Seattle

SEASON 1- Episode #4 The Pacific

SEASON 1- Episode #5 Yokohama

SEASON 1- Episode #6 Zama Without Bern

SEASON 1- Episode #7 The Rainy Season

SEASON 1– Episode #8 Modern Vices

SEASON 1- Episode #9 Japanese West Point

SEASON 1- Episode #10 Earthquake!

SEASON 1- Episode #11 Strike

SEASON 1- Episode #12 Korea-No!

SEASON 1- Episode #13 Superstition

SEASON 1- Episode #14 Typhoon Tess

SEASON 1- Episode #15 Kyoto Prefecture

SEASON 1- Episode #16 40 Cups of Coffee

SEASON 1- Episode #17 Aunt Mae

SEASON 1- Episode #18 Tokyo

SEASON 1- Episode #19 Japanesy

SEASON 1- Episode #20 The Three Companions of Man

SEASON 2- Episode #21 Murder at Zama

SEASON 2-Episode #22 Letters from Home

SEASON 2-Episode #23 Wawona Tree

SEASON 2-Episode #24 Kibbitzing

SEASON 2- Episode #25 Commendation

SEASON 2- Episode #26 Argus C3-35

SEASON 2- Episode #27 Groundhog Day

SEASON 2- Episode #28 Drop Dead

SEASON 2-Episode #29 Blondie’s Demise

SEASON 2-Episode #30 Bunny Hop

SEASON 2- Episode #31 Hurricane Helene

SEASON 2-Episode #32 Sayonara Red Dog!

SEASON 2-Episode #33 Tickled Pink!

SEASON 2-Episode #34 Sauerbrauten

SEASON 2-Episode #35 Shoes

SEASON 2-Episode #36 Japanese Bath

SEASON 2-Episode #37 Tanks

SEASON 2-Episode #38 GS-5

SEASON 3-Episode #39 Hibachi

SEASON 3-Episode #40 Helicopters and Jim

SEASON 3-Episode #41 Red Dog Goes Home

SEASON 3-Episode #42 Climbing Mt. Fuji!

SEASON 3-Episode #43 Slimming

SEASON 3- Episode #44 Rigsby’s Reckless Rush

SEASON 3-Episode #45 Typhoon June

SEASON 3- Episode #46 Metamorphosis

Here is a circa 1950s promotional video for the SS President Wilson. The twenty-one minute video gives a fascinating view of life inside the ship, as well the cities of Asia during the post WWII era:

“These women made me who I am and helped me find the things I love about my life!” Karen Miller

My devoted podcast staffers- Mr. Zeke and Fray

Episode Photos

#1. Gladys and I starting our Fiji climb.

Naturally it’s at the beginning and we are smiling! Taken in front of the billet.

#2. (Bern, Peg and Gladys) Us in front of the club at YED. Soldiers in background were drilling that day.

#3 Commissary at [Saganihoui]] the dependent housing area.

Gladys and Kathy got a dependent friend to take them to the shop for our wienie roast and they went wild with delight at being inside a grocery store again!

#4 Kathy and “Happy Bottom”

#5 My sexy sister!

#6 The people we don’t know, but this is the picnic ground at YED.

#7Another view out the Kawaguichiko Hotel window. Nice looking roof, is about all I can say for it!!

#8Real good of Bern, ne? And just look at those smiling, clean, lip-sticked faces! I only wish we had pictures of us when we got back!

#9 Taken from a window at the Kawaguichiko Hotel where we stopped for food (?) The “barrels” are inhabited and reminded me of a motel, but not nearly so clean! Bamboo poles in the background are Japanese “clothes-lines”. The arms and legs of the clothes are slipped over the poles so clothes pins are not necessary.

#10 Taken at the station where we slept for a few hours. Quote: “No! I can’t possibly climb that much farther! Never! “Hava-no”! Gal with the bandana is Velma-fella is a sgt. friend of hers. She made it only to the 9th station. Notice the small bit of cloud at the seat picker’s right foot.