Admin
From: Grant Ichikawa
From: Japanese American Veterans Assn (JAVA) and Asian Pacific American Veterans (APAVET)
To: JAVA Members and Friends
Subject: TAPS Information; For Pentagon Channel -Need forward slash; Volunteers Needed; Message of the Day; Newslink for October 26; Going for the Gold- Nisei Veterans to Accept Unit Citation
From: "Judy Niizawa"
TAPS: NIIZAWA, JOHNNY CHUICHI Passed away on October 11, 2011 in the Fresno Veterans Administration Hospital after a lingering illness. He was born in Turlock, Calif. in the Lillian Collins Hospital on August 9, 1925, the first born of the late Take and Zitaro Niizawa. Johnny leaves behind his wife Yoshiko Kotsubo Niizawa after 60 years and 11 months of marriage. He also is survived by his son Stanley T. Niizawa of Clovis. He was preceded in death by his daughter Janet H. Niizawa, in 1978.
Johnny was a Military Intelligence Service linguist during WWII, stationed at the Tokyo Headquarters during the occupation period. Johnny was active in the Sanger-Fresno community in the local JACL and was a founding member of the Kerry Nakagawa Baseball History Project. He worked many different jobs in and around the Central Valley farming community and the most recently as an insurance agent. He is still remembered for his prowess as a young teenager and even as an adult for his baseball pitching talent. His hobbies were fishing, hunting and bowling. Johnny will be missed by his siblings, his in-laws, and many nieces and nephews Graveside services were held at the Sanger Cemetery on Oct. 19, 2011. Submitted to Pacific Citizen, Turlock Journal, Nichi Bei Times
From: Roger Eaton
TAPS: AKIRA HAMAGUCHI ( Army Veteran ) March 15, 1939 to Sept. 29, 2011 Akira was born in Los Angeles, CA, to Fukujiro and Matsue Hamaguchi and was one of nine siblings. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, and his wife and best friend, Patricia (Hall), who passed away on May 21, 2011. Akira moved to National City in 1945 and lived in the area until his passing. His employment included the U.S. Army, U.S. Postal Service, and 27 years as an elementary teacher in the National City School District. He was an avid sports fan and math specialist. He and his wife, Patricia, who was also an elementary teacher in the National City School District, used math and flag football to encourage their students to strive for excellence. There will be no viewing or funeral as Akira's
1 wishes were to be cremated and his ashes placed in the wall at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. Akira's ashes will be placed in the wall on October 24, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on October 21, 2011Â ASN – Unit Ukn
TAPS: GEORGE MASAYUKI HIGA ( Army Veteran ) 78, of Honolulu, a former Pan American, Sheraton Waikiki, and Hawaii State employee died at home. He was a graduate of Iolani High School, City College of San Francisco and the Culinary Institute of America. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is survived by son Kevin and daughter Lianne; sister Vivian Kekina; grandsons Matthew and Michael. Private services to be held at Diamond Head Mortuary. ASN – Unit Ukn
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) TAPS: Satoru Inouye  ( Army Veteran ) Date of Birth:Wednesday April 21, 1920 Date of Death: Tuesday September 06, 2011 Est. Age at death: 91 years, 4 months, 16 days Last known residence: Honolulu, HI 96816 Social Security details: State of Issue: Hawaii 30106574 Unit Ukn
TAPS: Harold Hideto Kaku ( Army Veteran ) (April 3, 1936 - October 8, 2011) 75, Honaunau, died October 8, 2011 at his residence. Born in Honaunau on April 3, 1936 he was a retired painter for the Department of Accounting and General Services. He was a member of the Honaunau Kumiai #2, Kona Hongwanji Mission and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Friends may call at 2 p.m. October 30 at Kona Hongwanji Mission in Kealakekua for a 3 p.m. memorial service. The family requests casual attire worn and flowers be omitted. He is survived by his sons, James (Chelsea) Kaku, Lyle (Christina) Kaku, all of Las Vegas, NV. and Darryl (Ilia) Kaku of Texas; brother, Stanley (Julie) Kaku of Kealakekua; sisters, Jean Murata of Honolulu, Lilly (Alva) Ushiroda of Kealakekua and Lenora (Bill) Kelley of Honolulu; seven grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. ASN – Unit Ukn
TAPS: Akira Brian Mizoguchi ( Army Veteran ) Born July 23, 1925. Died October 16, 2011. Survived by his loving wife, Evelyn, daughter Ann (Stuart), sons Brian (Anne) and Michael (Amy), and grandchildren Brian, James, Sophia, and Alexander. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, dedicated caregiver Dan, and pet cat Basil. Published in Sacramento Bee on October 23, 2011 35851842 Unit Ukn
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) TAPS: Harry Naoto Muraoka ( MIS Veteran ) Date of Birth: Sunday November 07, 1920 Date of Death: Thursday August 25, 2011 Est. Age at death: 90 years, 9 months, 18 days Last known residence: Aiea, HIÂ 96701 Social Security details: State of Issue: Hawaii Savage 43-07 30105695
TAPS: Richard Hiroshi Nakanishi ( Army Veteran ) Jan. 25, 1938 - Oct. 14, 2011 Rick Nakanishi peacefully went home to meet Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on the 14th of October 2011, in Everett, Washington. He leaves behind a beloved wife of 47 years, Doris; son, Dean; daughter-in-law, Staci; and his beloved grandchildren: Elias, James, and Caitlyn. Richard was
2 born in Hilo, Hawaii to Charles and Kiyomi Nakanishi. He grew up in Mt. View, HI and graduated from Hilo High School in 1956. After graduating from the University of Hawaii he received a direct commission into the US Army as a Medical Technologist and would receive an honorable discharge in 1963 as 1st Lieutenant. He and Doris Asato were married in 1964 in Hawaii. They moved to the California Bay Area where he worked at Stanford Hospital and United Airlines in the medical laboratory field. He also opened and operated a plant tissue culture lab in San Mateo. He had longstanding relationships with the Japanese American Citizen's League (of which he served as president); the San Mateo Fishing Club; and Sturge Presbyterian Church. He will be fondly remembered for his giant pumpkins, his fishing adventures, his ukulele, his historical writings, his warm genuine smile, and his strong faith. He is loved and will be missed by many. Services at the Congregational Church of San Mateo (225 Tilton Ave, San Mateo, 94401) on Oct. 29th at 2:30 PM, and at Honolulu Christian Church on November 19th at 11AM. No Flowers Please. Mahalo. Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on October 23, 2011 ASN – Unit Ukn
TAPS: Mark Kiyoharu Nakano ( Army Veteran ) Sept. 15, 2011 63, of Mililani, a retired civilian employee at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and an Army veteran, died in Wahiawa General Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Luana and son Aran. Private services. ASN – Unit Ukn
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) TAPS: Frank Shore Okamoto ( MIS Veteran ) Date of Birth: Wednesday May 14, 1924 Date of Death: Monday September 19, 2011 Est. Age at death: 87 years, 4 months, 5 days Last known residence: Los Angeles, CA 90026 Social Security details: State of Issue: California Snelling 44-12 37364977
TAPS: Merle Okuno ( Army Veteran ) 20-Nov-57 – 2-Oct-11 Merle, a resident of Gardena, CA passed away October 2, 2011. He is survived by his son, Brandon; and daughter, Jordan; along with brothers, Marvin and Wesley Okuno; sisters, Karen Okuno, Ruby (Bill) Christiansen, Sherry (Rob) Thuresson and nephews, RJ and Kevin Thuresson. Graveside services to be held at Green Hills Memorial Park on Thursday, October 13, 2:00 PM. Aloha style. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Published in Daily Breeze on October 12, 2011 ASN – Unit Ukn
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) TAPS: Shigeru Oshita ( 100th Bn Veteran ) Date of Birth: Friday September 28, 1917 Date of Death: Tuesday September 13, 2011 Est. Age at death: 93 years, 11 months, 16 days Last known residence:Ewa Beach, HI 96706 Social Security details: State of Issue: Hawaii 100th Hdq Co 30100609
TAPS: Albert Shinichi Saiki ( Army Veteran ) Oct. 3, 2011 74, of Mililani, a retired RT Tanaka Engineers civil engineer surveyor and an Army veteran, died in Mililani. He was born in Phoenix. He is survived by wife Joyce; sons Garreth, Ryan and Deron; brother John; sisters Jane Kamada and Lilly Ikegami; and six grandchildren. Private
3 services. No monetary offerings. ASN – Unit Ukn
TAPS: Takeru Sanekane ( 100th Bn Veteran ) Takeru Sanekane of Lawa‘i died Oct. 5, 2011, at his home at age 88. Born May 26, 1923, in Lihu‘e, he worked for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. He is survived by his wife, Hanayo Maki Sanekane; son, Darren (Lori) Sanekane of Kalaheo; daughters, Verna (Mike) Schoffstall of Koloa and Nan Sanekane of Lawa‘i; nine grandchildren; brothers, Shuji Sanekane of Lawa‘i and Glen (Jeanette) Sanekane of Kailua, O‘ahu; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services were private. Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd. 100th B Co 30112385
TAPS: George Y. SHIMONO ( Air Force Veteran ) 78, 35-year retired Rockwell International Engineer and US Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Tokuko Shimono; loving son, George Y. (Carol) Shimono Jr.; loving daughter, Debbie F. (Paul) Knight; loving son-in-law, Trevor Stanley; loving grandchildren, Mei Xia Stanley, Aston Shimono and Karla Shimono; four brothers, Henry (Miyako), Sam (Natsuye), Jim and Goro Shimono; sisters, Helen Jung and Mary Shimono and many nephews nieces and relatives. Predeceased by his loving daughter, Sherry K. Stanley. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 25, from 7:00PM at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, 505 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles. www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441 Published in the Los Angeles Times on October 22, 2011 ASN – Unit Ukn
**************************************************** From: "Gordon Yoshikawa"
Subject: Re: #82-2011-JAVA-APAVET- Round Robin- Wednesday,October 26, 2011 Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:24:52 -0400
Checked the pentagon channel you listed. However, it need a forward slash at the end: http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/ It shows up when you Google pentagon channel.
******************************************************
From: "Chris DeRosa"
Subject: Volunteers Needed Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:48:18 -0400
For your next issue - thanks, Grant. Perhaps a special R Robin Thurs or Fri...
Dear JAVA members & friends of JAVA ::
We are still looking for volunteers to help with various "jobs" during our CGM events...
We still need some volunteers to cover the JAVA table at the Washington Hilton on October 31 and November 1st . We would love to have JAVA members
4 talk to visitors and spread the good word about what JAVA is doing. Tell them about JAVA's mission, its community involvement, its members and their stories.
Email Chris DeRosa, who is managing the JAVA table: [email protected] & let her know which 2-hour shift you can help with.
* Monday Oct 31st: [ ] 3:00 - 5:00 pm [ ] 5:00 - 7:00 pm [ ] 7:00 - 9:00 pm o Note: this is arrival day for most attendees; registration packets will be available for pick up * Tuesday Nov 1st: [ ] 3:00 - 5:00 pm [ ] 5:00 - 7:00 pm [ ] 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Veterans - if you can't help for a full shift, but have a few minutes of time, do stop by the JAVA table; we'd love to have you there to talk to visitors and attendees. Anytime is fine!
Jean Shiraki is also looking for volunteers - she has many different tasks,including stuffing registration packets on Sunday, October 30th, helping with registration and other logistics on Oct 31, Nov 1-2-3. Contact her and let her know that you can help: [email protected]
************************************************************ From: Kenjiro Akune
Subject: Fw: message of the day
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible. One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim , a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate. I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine. I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down.. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned. The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim . I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait. I smiled. He asked if he amused me I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before.." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. 5 There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes. I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.." With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!" This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy. SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I'm lucky enough to be counted among them. Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS! ****************************************************** ******* From: "Secor, Kevin"
Subject: : NewsLink: October 26, 2011 ; The below NewsLink is provided by VA’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Subject: NewsLink: October 26, 2011
NewsLink
This e-mail is provided as a free, weekly service by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Diversity and Inclusion and contains links to diversity and inclusion information on the Internet. VA is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of these Web sites, and linking to these sites does not constitute endorsement by VA of the sites' sponsors or the information, products, or services they provide.
Volume 11, Issue 4 • October 26, 2011
This Week's Web Highlight: October 2011 Digital Edition of Chief Learning Officer Magazine
Senate Approves COLA Hike for Disabled Vets. The Senate has approved a bill that will give Disabled Veterans a cost-of-living adjustment boost in 2012. 1 Simple Way to Narrow the Generation Gap. For all the furor surrounding Gen Y and their differences from earlier generations, there's actually plenty of evidence that much of this generation gap is a myth. So why do these beliefs about young people persist? OPM May Push Telework Harder in Updated Snow Policy. The Office of Personnel
6 Management plans to unveil changes to the weather closure policy in early November. Does Telework Hurt Office Dynamics? Depends Whom You Ask. In the coming years, more and more Federal government employees and members of the private sector are expected to telework. But how will a decrease in face-to-face, in-person contact change relationships between workers and how will it impact their ability to accomplish day-to-day tasks? Improved Evaluations Key to Improved Performance. The performance of Federal employees is under increased scrutiny by many stakeholders, but many Federal employees believe that the Federal performance management system needs improvement. Feds on Facebook. Federal employees are increasingly turning to social media websites for work and personal use, particularly as more agencies lift restrictions on access, according to a new survey. USAJobs 3.0 Sees Sharp Drop in Job Applications. Federal officials say USAJobs.gov 3.0 is successfully accepting thousands of job applications two weeks after its launch, but an analysis shows the number appears to be sharply below the average of the previous version of the website. The Myth of the Ideal Worker: Does Doing All the Right Things Really Get Women Ahead? In this report, Catalyst continues to address the gender gap myths by using facts to dispel or confirm the conventional wisdom regarding the careers of these high potentialsthe next generation of leaders. Is a Spike in Women's Entrepreneurship the Key to Job Growth? While women make up more than 50 percent of the adult population in the U.S. and about 46 percent of the total workforce, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, just 35 percent of them start their own businesses. A Dedication to King, and the Work Yet to Do. Thousands stood and sat together under a bright blue sky as a memorial to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.the first honoring an African-American in the area of the Mallwas dedicated at last. Skin Color Matters When It Comes to Canadians' Health: Study. A new University of British Columbia study finds that Black Canadians with darker skin are more likely to report poorer health than Black Canadians with lighter skin. The study also suggests that a mismatched racial identity can negatively affect health. Study Finds Minority Consumers Will Voluntarily Pay More for Goods and Services to Assert Status. Researchers found that African-Americans who felt their status was threatened by poor service because of their race were willing to pay more for products and services to assert their social standing. African-Americans More Likely to Donate Kidney to Family Member. Family matters, especially when it comes to African-Americans and living kidney donation. African-American Women with Gestational Diabetes Face High Long-Term Diabetes Risk. African American women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy face a 52 percent increased risk of developing diabetes in the future compared to white women who develop GDM during pregnancy, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the journal Diabetologia. ******************************************************* **
From: "Judy Blakemore"
Subject: Going For The Gold, Nisei veterans to accept unit citation
7 The Maui News
October 29, 2011
By LEE IMADA - Staff Writer ([email protected]) , The Maui News
Three World War II nisei veterans from Maui will be traveling to Washington, D.C., next week for the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to their units.
They are going because they can.
Now in their 80s and 90s, the veterans of the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Services will be presented with the nation's highest civilian honor for their heroism and bravery in the face of the enemy and discrimination at home. Many of the nisei, or second-generation Japanese-Americans, are not able to make the trans-Pacific and trans-continental trip to the nation's capital.
"Too bad most of the guys couldn't go," said Hiroshi Arisumi, 91, one of the three who will be making the trip. "Fortunately, I've been in good health . . . I gotta go for the people that couldn't make it."
Arisumi will be joined by Shigeo Iwamasa and Russell Takashima at the gold medal ceremonies Tuesday and Wednesday. The traveling group of six from Maui also includes family members of the veterans, surviving members of veterans who have passed on and "guardians," who are traveling to assist the veterans. The contingent departs Maui on Sunday and arrives in the nation's capital on Halloween. They return Nov. 5.
The major activities begin Tuesday with a memorial event and Bronze Star presentation at the Washington Hilton. Arisumi said that he would be one of those receiving the Bronze Star.
This event was originally going to be held at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall but organizers were worried about the elderly veterans outside in 50-degree temperatures for several hours. Instead, visits to the memorial are being organized.
The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. EDT in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol. A gala dinner is scheduled that evening.
A replica of the gold medal will be given out to veterans, family members of deceased veterans, next of kin of soldiers killed in action and family members of veterans who attend the ceremony.
Since 1776, the nation has expressed its gratitude for distinguished contributions with the minting of a gold medal with the image of the individual or a representation of the group, a Congressional Research Report in March said. The gold medal also is meant to dramatize the virtues of patriotic actions and to be a remembrance of great American events.
Originally, the gold medal was awarded to military people only, but the criteria has
8 expanded through the years to include distinguished civilians and groups, such as the American Red Cross and Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military aviators, and now the nisei veterans of World War II. Individual winners include George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., John Glenn and Mother Teresa.
There have been more than 300 individuals and groups honored with the gold medal in more than two centuries.
A year ago this month, President Barack Obama signed the bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th/442nd and MIS.
There is a chance that the Maui contingent may meet the president. They have received a "special invitation" to visit and tour the White House on Friday, said Richard Sword, Maui team leader and "guardian" with the National Veterans Network that is assisting the men with their travel to the event.
"We are so excited," he said.
No word was given on whether they actually would meet the Hawaii-born commander in chief or his wife, but "we're hoping," said Sword, a Maui clinical psychologist who has been treating war veterans since 1982.
The 100th/442nd, known by their "Go for Broke" motto, was one of the most decorated Army units for its size. The gold medal citation noted that soldiers of the 100th/442nd have been awarded seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals and more than 4,000 Purple Hearts. The 100th/442nd, made up mostly of Japanese-Americans, fought in Italy and France.
The MIS made its mark in the Pacific theater against the Japanese Empire. The nisei soldiers translated diaries and documents, interrogated prisoners of war, helped decipher enemy radio messages and worked as undercover agents, the Military Intelligence Research Center website says.
Because of the nature of their work, MIS exploits have been classified for many years and only now are coming to light. For example, in a radio intercept, MIS linguists helped Allied forces shoot down a plane carrying Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, as he flew to Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.
MIS linguists also were involved in the surrender process of the Japanese empire and the subsequent occupation of the country.
These men also carried the additional danger of being potential victims of friendly fire in battles against Japanese forces.
"The United States of America owes a debt to these men and to their families, which it can never fully repay," said Col. Sidney Forrester Mashbir, the commandant of the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section.
The MIS and 100th/442nd fought another battle at home against discrimination. Many of the nisei men enlisted from internment camps, to where they had been forcibly relocated
9 from their West Coast homes after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The 120,000 Japanese-Americans who were relocated lost businesses, their homes and personal property during their relocation to 10 remote, desolate camps such as Manzanar in California, Gila River in Arizona and Heart Mountain in Wyoming.
"The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor and dedication to country these men faced while fighting a two-fronted battle of discrimination at home and fascism abroad," the gold medal citation says. "Their commitment and sacrifice demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor."
The son of a Medal of Honor awardee, Brian Moto, who will be traveling with the contingent, hopes historic events, such as the gold medal ceremony, will help integrate the exploits of 100th/442nd and MIS into the fabric of American lore.
"I think it is important that the story of America, the history of America, include stories of heroism and sacrifice to inspire and instruct us all, because it is so very easy to forget," said Moto, the son of the late Kaoru Moto.
Noting that schoolchildren are taught about Washington crossing the Delaware and the defense of the Alamo, Moto hopes that people will think about "the combat heroism . . . also the social heroism of these men and their families, just as much as people remember the famous stories that are embedded in American history."
The veteran's son said he felt it necessary to be at the ceremony "to stand in for those who could not be there."
"I think it is an important responsibility to be present and bear witness to this historic occasion," said the former county corporation counsel.
Moto also will be a "guardian" of these elderly veterans, helping them travel and get to their various activities. Sword is another guardian and had encouraged veterans, including Arisumi, to attend the ceremony.
"I'm really honored to carry their bags and help them," Sword said.
After telling Sword he would attend, Arisumi continued to warm to the idea of the trip.
"This is something different," said the former combat engineer with the original group to see action in Italy and France. "The more I think about it the more I feel I gotta go.
"I think it's quite an honor, and I'm glad they decided to pick the 100th, 442nd and MIS to receive this award. Too bad most of the guys are gone already, and they didn't know they were going to get this award."
Though late in life, the awards coming to the nisei veterans of World War II, such as the gold medal, "make me feel good," said the Kula resident, who will be accompanied by his wife, Sue.
"A lot of people told me 'how come they didn't give it to you sooner when every one is still around,' but I say: 'Better late than never.' ''
10 * Lee Imada can be reached at [email protected].
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
11