My grandpa was became an orphan as a result of the Japanese invasion. The family that adopted him treated him like crap, and the dad smoked a lot of opium (which is why my grandpa hates smokers). At around 12 years old, he ran off to join the guerrilla fighters. He did a lot of recon work, and was in several battles with the Japanese. When he was around 15, he joined the red army, and became somewhat of a personal security officer for a regimental commander of the Chinese Red Army. The commander taught him how to read and write. He was able to learn everything up to about high school level by the time he was around 19.
He then decided that he wants to be a doctor, so in 3 years, he taught himself college material and was accepted into one of the best medical schools in China, Zhongshan School of Medicine in Guangzhou. This was around the 1950s.
The Korean war started around that time, and armies from southern China were pulled to assist North Korea. Among those sent north, his old regiment was one of them. All of the men in the regiment died in battle.
My grandpa stayed in Guangzhou, and practiced medicine. Later he moved to Zhanjiang, where he met my grandma (who was a nurse) and that's where my dad was born. During the cultural revolution he was sent to the countryside for "re-education." But he continued to treat people, and everyone loved him. My grandparents lived in Zhanjiang until 1992, when I was born. Then they retired to be full time baby sitters for me :D
Growing up, I thought he was odd. He didn't want to tell me any of his stories, I mean, he has seen some shit. I've always wanted to ask him what it was like in a battle, seeing people die, and maybe when he first killed a man. He had to live through this during his teenage years! I just want to spend several months with him everyday, listen to his stories, and maybe even write a book about him.
He lives in Guangzhou and I live in Los Angeles. It's been really difficult working out a Skype time, since he has diabetes and rests a lot. Hopefully I'll be able to write down his experiences one day.
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My grandpa was became an orphan as a result of the Japanese invasion. The family that adopted him treated him like crap, and the dad smoked a lot of opium (which is why my grandpa hates smokers). At around 12 years old, he ran off to join the guerrilla fighters. He did a lot of recon work, and was in several battles with the Japanese. When he was around 15, he joined the red army, and became somewhat of a personal security officer for a regimental commander of the Chinese Red Army. The commander taught him how to read and write. He was able to learn everything up to about high school level by the time he was around 19.
He then decided that he wants to be a doctor, so in 3 years, he taught himself college material and was accepted into one of the best medical schools in China, Zhongshan School of Medicine in Guangzhou. This was around the 1950s.
The Korean war started around that time, and armies from southern China were pulled to assist North Korea. Among those sent north, his old regiment was one of them. All of the men in the regiment died in battle.
My grandpa stayed in Guangzhou, and practiced medicine. Later he moved to Zhanjiang, where he met my grandma (who was a nurse) and that's where my dad was born. During the cultural revolution he was sent to the countryside for "re-education." But he continued to treat people, and everyone loved him. My grandparents lived in Zhanjiang until 1992, when I was born. Then they retired to be full time baby sitters for me :D
Growing up, I thought he was odd. He didn't want to tell me any of his stories, I mean, he has seen some shit. I've always wanted to ask him what it was like in a battle, seeing people die, and maybe when he first killed a man. He had to live through this during his teenage years! I just want to spend several months with him everyday, listen to his stories, and maybe even write a book about him.
He lives in Guangzhou and I live in Los Angeles. It's been really difficult working out a Skype time, since he has diabetes and rests a lot. Hopefully I'll be able to write down his experiences one day.
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