Ep 2. Hands Across the Sea

We'll Meet Again is a documentary series that explores the extraordinary stories of people who have been separated by war, natural disasters or other life-changing events but are now seeking to reconnect with those who helped them or who they helped in their time of need. The second episode of the first season of We'll Meet Again is titled 'Hands Across the Sea'.

In this episode, the host Ann Curry travels to Hawaii with a World War II veteran named Navy pilot Jim Downing and his wife to meet the family of a Japanese pilot who attacked their ship during the Pearl Harbor attack. The episode takes us through the emotional story of these two families who were once enemies but are now connected by their shared experience of that fateful day.

Jim Downing was just 28 years old, serving as a Navy pilot on the USS West Virginia, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He recalls the horror he witnessed as the planes swooped down, dropping bombs and torpedoes on his ship. He survived the attack but many of his comrades did not. He also witnessed the bravery of his fellow sailors as they tried to save the wounded and put out the fires on the ship. Jim lived to tell his story and has since become an advocate for reconciliation between the two nations.

Kazuo Kaneshiro was a young Japanese pilot during World War II who flew on one of the planes that attacked Pearl Harbor. He was shot down and killed during the attack, but his family never knew the full extent of his role in the war until many years later. Kazuo's brother and sister were eager to connect with the family of one of the men on the ship that their brother had attacked, and were finally able to do so with the help of a researcher named Hiromi Peterson.

In 'Hands Across the Sea', we see the emotional meeting between the Downing family and the Kaneshiro family in Hawaii. As they embrace and share stories, there is a sense of healing and closure. Ann Curry reflects on the power of forgiveness and the resilience of the human spirit. She also highlights the importance of learning from our past mistakes and striving towards peace and understanding.

This episode of We'll Meet Again is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of the power of reconciliation and forgiveness. Through the stories of Jim Downing and Kazuo Kaneshiro, we see the enduring impact of war on individuals and families, but also the potential for healing and connection. 'Hands Across the Sea' is a poignant reminder that despite our differences and past conflicts, we can find common ground and learn to live peacefully with one another.