SUBIC Bay, Olongapo City- A Filipino-Japanese lady officer of an aircraft of the US Navy on Sunday tearfully met her relatives after 20 years at the Subic Bay International Airport.
Lt. Elena Yoshimura, 27, tactical coordinator of P3C Orion, showed her grandparents around the aircraft that participated in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise between the navies of the US and the Philippines.
“Masayang-masaya kami dahil after 20 years nayakap namin ang aming apo. Halong luha at tuwa ang nadama namin,” grandparents Pescacio, 82 and Elena Urbina, 78, of Antique, said. Pescacio and Elena are the parents of Marissa, Yoshimura’s mother. Her father, Frank Yoshimura, is also with the U.S. Navy.
The two met after writing to each other when Marissa, then 18, found his name in the “Wanted Penpal” portion of a magazine. They married after five years of courtship mostly through the mail. “Very exciting, I am overwhelmed with joy meeting my relatives after 20 years. I am thankful to the U.S. Navy for giving me the opportunity to be with my relatives,” the navy officer said.
Yoshimura said she likes adobo and looks forward to eating shrimps and crabs with her relatives. “If the water is good, we will go to the beach together,” she said.
The lady officer as tactical coordinator of the aircraft coordinates with the entire crews, prioritize missions and control weapons. P3C Orion is an anti-submarine aircraft.
