Ernie Pyle death photo surfaces

"This photo provided by Richard Strasser, perhaps never before published, shows famed World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle shortly after he was killed by a Japanese machine gun bullet on the island of Ie Shima on April 18, 1945. Pyle, 44, had just arrived in the Pacific after four years of writing his popular column from European battlefronts. The Army photographer who crawled forward under fire to make this picture later said it was withheld by military officials. An AP survey of history museums and archives found only a few copies in existence, and no trace of the original negative."
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We built an airstrip on Ie Shima back in 89 or so. I was fortunate enough to see the monument there in tribute to Ernie Pyle. In this picture it almost looks like he just layed down to take a nap.

Cherry Blossom Festival

"Thousands of festival goers searched for the first signs of spring in the blossoms of cherry trees lining the streets of Nago City and Nago Central Park during the 46th Annual Nago Cherry Blossom Festival Jan. 26-27.

Some of the festival highlights included performances by local schools' brass bands and cultural performers such as Eisa dancers and taiko drummers. Parades, competitions, karaoke, carnival games and food vendors were also attractions for the visitors.

A popular activity at the festival was 'hanami,' or flower viewing. Festival goers toured the park, where they had a scenic view of approximately 20,000 pink Taiwanese cherry trees blooming."
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