Indonesian American womans life memoir includes little-known World War II history

Brian Kimmel has co-authored his grandmother, Martha Walandouw Lohn's memoir, "Blue Skies, Troubled Waters," chronicling her family's harrowing experiences during WWII in Indonesia. Born to a Polish American mother and an undocumented Indonesian father, Lohn, now 91, shares the story of twin sisters facing deportation and wartime struggles. Kimmel, motivated by family encouragement, invested years into preserving and expanding this narrative. He researched extensively through institutions like the Library of Congress to provide context around his family's migration. The memoir aims to educate readers about the historical significance of this lesser-known chapter of WWII.

A launch event will take place on May 17 at the Snohomish United Methodist Church, featuring Indonesian cuisine and cultural presentations. Kimmel views the memoir not just as a personal account but as an educational resource. He believes the story continues to evolve as he learns more through sharing it.