By: Jess Beliveu and Ali Bracey
As America watches the disaster unfold on television, the people of Japan look out their window and live the destruction. Japan was hit with an almost 9.0 magnitude earthquake, the fourth largest since 1900 on March 11, 2011. They were also simultaneously hit with a tsunami, which caused the nation to go into a state of panic. The new fear of a nuclear disaster is being discussed as radiation levels are unable to be contained.
The United States has extended their sympathies and donations to the people of Japan. However, far less have a personal connection to people in Japan who were affected. Here at The Lobby Observer, we have made a first hand connection with a WHS graduate who experienced this disaster. Marti McElreath lives in Shichigahama, a town that felt astronomical effects from both the tsunami and the earthquake. It’s a coastal town that has one side of the road completely wiped out, reduced to a pile of debris and is essentially nonexistent. Surprisingly, the other side is fine. Marti has agreed to give weekly updates with us, which is a huge commitment considering she is living at her workplace and only her apartment has internet. To get to her apartment she needs to commute via bicycle, unless she wants to wait at the gas station for as long as seven hours, like she did yesterday to get to the city.
Marti tells us that the area of Japan she lives in is in a state of reconstruction. What that means is that Shichigahama is running a bus, free of charge that comes from the evacuation center and brings people to supermarkets, hospitals, and the city. The roads in this area have been cleared for the most part, with dust and a couple feet of mud being all that is left. The sides of the roads are filled with the top halves of buildings, piles of cars, and whatever else has been left behind in the rubble and chaos.
Marti says that in a town to the north, Ishinomaki, a whole elementary school reported their children missing. At this point, it is a little more than three weeks after the disaster, which means “missing” is becoming a synonym for dead. Marti says that although the future is looking grim, people are maintaining positive attitudes. This includes themed days, one of which was titled “Love Injection”. The themes help promote spirit and keep a sense of hope for the people. Marti has repeated that every “good morning”, “good night”, and “hello” raise the morale of the locals.
What the people of Japan need the most during this time of tragedy is love. The outpouring of support and kind words are what get them through each day. There is nothing left for them to do but continue their daily routine, and putting a smile on makes it easier. The continued thoughts and prayers sent to the people of Japan are what counts the most.
