The Best WW2 Story Ever Told about the Geckos on Okinawa, The Gecko is the Friendly Lizards.

Jeff, I thought you would be interested in this correspondence.

Every time I see that "Geico"  Insurance commercial on TV I am reminded of days past.  This "Geico"  lizard that is walking upright and talking in the commercial is a spitting image of the lizards we encountered on the Island of Okinawa during WW2.   Just like in the commercial these lizards had four legs with a rounded head and a tail and they were everywhere. Of course I never saw them walking upright and they never talked to us.  Ha!    I found out from a person who has recently been to Okinawa that they are called Geckoes. These little creatures seemed to like us and they would even crawl into our fox holes to visit us.  We didn't mind seeing them because they would eat the big flies that were everywhere and bothering us. I suppose because of all the death on the island the flies were big and terribly bloated. The Geckoes ate so many of these flies they pooped everywhere including in our holes but even this was better than putting up with those terribly bloated flies. We had learned not to swat the flies and I'm sure you can reason why we didn't.  They were especially pesky when we were eating.  There were also big flying cockroaches on the Island and the Geckoes had a little trouble trying to eat these things but I have seen them accomplish it.  I must admit we did greet them with [hello little buddy] and talk to the little fellas but they never uttered a word.  If talking to these little guys causes you to think maybe we had almost lost it I would not argue with that assessment. 

 

Bob

 

July 2009,  Norma and I are at one of John and Cyndy's stage production sitting on front row seats waiting for the curtains to open. This was a 21/2 hour production with a 15 minute intermission. The tickets were sold out and it was a great performance that featured  talented singers, musicals, comedy, and dancers.