Fort Bliss National Cemetery, ElPaso Texas
EXPERIENCES WHILE LIVING IN JAPAN
1952 Manilla Times
Captain Lester Grau, his wife and two sons, who left the first of the week for
Ft. Bliss, Texas, told of their experiences while living in Japan for three
years, in an interview last Wednesday morning.
Captain Grau is on leave at present time and will remain nine months in the States. Before coming to Manilla, Captain Grau's home town, they had visited relatives on to West coast. While in Aberdeen, Washington, they enjoyed salmon fishing.
Captain Grau is a son of Albert Grau and the late Emma (Rudnick) of Manilla.
Mrs. Grau, the former Elizabeth Vanderkamp of Sheldon, Iowa, is a vivacious woman who made every minute of their stay in Japan a noteworthy one. She received two diplomas in Japanese flower arranging, taught Kindergarten for two years, and was studying woodcarving at the time Captain Grau received his leave.
Of course, the most outstanding event occurring to the Graus while living in Japan was the birth of their second son, Alan Kent, who was born in an American Army hospital, June 24, 1951.
Both the captain and his wife are enthusiastic about the interest the Japanese have taken in learning to speak English and the fact that they are open to democracy. Their enthusiasm led them to volunteer teaching the English language to the Japs in Conversation and Bible classes in Tsurumi which is a suburb to Yokohama where they lived.
The Graus also emphasized that the Japanese want to become westernized in dress and that Christianity has a great opportunity there. They remarked that the "missions are doing wonderful work." However, Shintoism is climbing again.
Industry is back to the pre-war level and in some cases has surpassed.
The Graus lived in an American housing area in a two-bedroom home and a maid-room. When they were first sent to Japan they had both a Japanese house boy and Japanese maid working for them. They received $20 a month for wages.
These people are entirely trust-worthy but at first Americans feel they do not need surplus help. When they become accustomed to their new home they discover this extra help is invaluable.
Their eldest son, Lester, had attended an American school only one month before thy moved to Japan.
At the time his dad was given his present leave, Lester was attending third grade at Negishi Heights where an American teacher taught his grade. Lester's only regret on coming back to the States was in leaving his dog "Tippy."
Captain and Mrs. Grau also taught English in the Ken-Cho building which is the prefectural government building there.
They accepted an invitation from Governor Uchi Yama to visit in his home and were guests of supper of "tempura" which is French-fried shrimp and vegetables. Upon entering the Japanese home they removed their shoes and the meal was eaten with chop sticks.
Another dish that the Graus particularly liked is "sukiyaki" which is meat and vegetables in soy sauce. Rice and green tea are served with all meals.
Captain Grau, who was stationed with the maintenance division in rebuilding signal equipment for Korean troops, had made two trips into Korea on special duty and had spent 10 days in Okinawa besides a number of trips through Japan.
He had taken his American Kaiser car with him to Japan and had returned to the States bringing the car bearing a Japanese license plate. The occupational licenses are $1, but Japanese licenses are actually $46. Since Americans do not buy Japanese gas, an added road tax of $43 has been added, otherwise the licenses are $3. The roads are "terrible" in Japan but are being re-built.
When they first moved into their home it, was furnished with Japanese made furniture and the basic necessities. Two outstanding events they witnessed were a Communistic demonstration in Tokyo where the communists had held a rally and went marching and singing through the streets and yelling "Go Home Yanks." This demonstration followed the May Day demonstration and made the Graus feel uneasy.
They discussed the "Green Tea" ceremonial or "Chanoyu" which is a meeting of friends for meditation.
The ceremony is very extreme, certain dishes are used, timing of each movement and the movement of the hands are extremely important.
During this meditation these people are reaching above the cares and worries of life.
Captain Grau graduated from the Manilla High School in 1936.
He served in World War II in New Guinea and the Philippines with anti-aircraft. Following his discharge in 1946 he took graduate work at Iowa State College in the physics department. He re-enlisted in 1949 and was stationed at the radar school in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, before leaving for Japan four months later.
The Grau's address at present is, 4052 A.S.U., Ft. Bliss, Texas.
After working for one year as a teacher in Moville, Iowa, he served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He then went to graduate school at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He then returned to military duty in the U.S. Army for over 21 years. After a career which took him to Japan, Turkey, and other overseas assignments he retired in 1965 with the rank of Lieutenant. Colonel.
After retirement he worked as an electronics engineer at Fort Bliss, Texas. Together with his family he lived in El Paso since 1952 where he was an active member and Bible Teacher at Zion Lutheran Church. Lester passed away on July 25, 1980, at the age of 62 years.
Lester and Elizabeth had 2 children: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Lester W. Grau of Leavenworth,
Kansas and Alan K. Grau of Asheville, North Carolina. Military service continues into the
next generation through Lester's grandson Chief Warrant Officer 3 James W. Grau, a
helicopter pilot serving in Germany.
Lester and his wife are buried in the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
Lester graduated from Western Union College in LeMars, Iowa, in 1939 with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. He married Elizabeth Anne Vanderkamp on July 17, 1942, in Denver, Colorado. Beth was born on January 1, 1918. After working for one year as a teacher in Moville, Iowa, he served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He then went to graduate school at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He then returned to military duty in the U.S. Army for over 21 years. After a career which took him to Japan, Turkey, and other overseas assignments he retired in 1965 with the rank of Lieutenant. Colonel. After retirement he worked as an electronics engineer at Fort Bliss, Texas. Together with his family he lived in El Paso since 1952 where he was an active member and Bible Teacher at Zion Lutheran Church. Lester passed away on July 25, 1980, at the age of 62 years. Beth later moved to El Paso, Texas, where she currently lives. They had two sons, Lester and Alan.
Lester Grau
Lester Albert Grau, Sr., LTC, USA, Retired, 62, 8401 Parade Lane, passed away Saturday, July 25, 1981.
He had been a resident of El Paso 29 years and was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.
He had retired from the US Army and was an Electronic Engineer. Survivors: wife, Elizabeth Grau, El Paso; son and daughter-in-law, Major and Mrs. Lester W. Grau, Federal Republic of Germany; son, Alan K. Grau, Austin, Texas; sister, Ramona Boeck, Manning, Iowa; grandchildren, James W. Grau, Germany, Darshon Taylor, New Braunfels, Texas.
Son of Albert & Emma (Rudnick) Grau, he as born August 24, 1918, in Manning, Iowa.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund of
the Zion Lutheran Church. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday at
Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas, with Pastor Steve B Hughey,
officiating. Interment will be with military Honors. A memorial service will be
held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran Church. Arrangements by
Harding-Orr & McDaniel Pershing Drive 3707.
El Paso, Texas, Herald Post, July 28, 1981