Press Release: Taiwan POW Society

Dear Friends,

Sunday August 15th – will be the 65th anniversary of VJ Day – the day the Japanese surrendered and World War II came to an end. Although it seems so long ago now, let us take a few minutes on this special day to remember the price that was paid to end that terrible war and all those who suffered in one way or another through it – from the combatants themselves, to the prisoners of war, those who served “at home” and all the family members who lost loved ones during that terrible conflict which claimed so many millions of lives.

Once again, August 15th will be celebrated as FEPOW (Far East Prisoner of War) DAY in many places around the world. This is a day that has been designated to remember all the prisoners of war – military and civilian, who were captured by the Japanese in WWII and all that they suffered.

The Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society is proud to present “FEPOW DAY in Taiwan” again this year. The event will take place on Saturday August 14th at the Taipei Film House – SPOT THEATER located at #18 Chungshan N. Road Sec.2 – (near the intersection of Chungshan N. Rd and Nanking West Road – the Chungshan MRT station is just around the corner from this venue.)

This year’s program will once again feature an exhibition of WWII military and prisoner of war artifacts from the Society’s museum collection and a memorial tribute to the former prisoners of war, followed by the showing of the movie “TO END ALL WARS” – starring 24’s Golden Globe winner, Kiefer Sutherland (aka Jack Bauer), Robert Carlyle and Ciaran McMenamin as WWII POW survivor, Ernest Gordon.

This powerful movie is based on a true story by prisoner of war survivor, Ernest Gordon (author of Miracle On the River Kwai). It is about four Allied POWs in Thailand , who endure brutal, inhumane treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors during World War II. While being forced to build a railroad through the jungle, and trying to survive the living hell of their POW camp, ultimately they find true freedom. Their freedom comes prior to their release from prison, by witnessing sacrifices made by their fellow soldiers, and by learning to forgive their internal rivals, as well as their brutal captors.

You won’t want to miss this great movie. While it does contain the usual Hollywood stuff in places, several former POWs that I have spoken with say that it is very realistic in the portrayal of what conditions were like in the camps and the Japanese guards are especially real. Thus it is not really suitable for younger children and please note that there are no Chinese subtitles on the film.

The doors will open at 6:30pm for viewing of the artifacts, so come early and get a good seat. Once again space is limited to around 75 people, so we would like to have some kind of idea as to who’s coming, so if those interested could email us (just reply to this email) no later than Wednesday August 11th we would appreciate it.

Since we are holding the event on Saturday evening, and since people often go out on Saturday evening for dinner and/or a movie, why not take this opportunity to join us for a wonderful evening of learning more about the POWs while enjoying a terrific movie and some great fellowship.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of our work. I look forward to seeing you on August 14th.

Sincerely,

Michael Hurst
Director, Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society

P.S. Even though the event date is shown on our website as Sunday August 15th – it is really the 14th. There was a conflict of dates with the theater and thus the change in date.