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Japanese American Veterans Association JAVA ADVOCATE March 2011 Volume XVIIII—Issue 1 Inside this issue: JAVA participates in two events during National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. President’s Message 2 WASHINGTON — JAVA participated in Grant Ichikawa (MIS) and Terry Shima two events during the National Cherry (442nd) were invited to comment on their Japanese Americans com- 3 nd mand 82nd, 101st Division Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., experiences in the MIS and the 442 .and New members on VA Cmte March 26 – April 10, 2011. JAVA part- the significance of Medal to the Japanese on Minority Vets nered with both the National Japanese American community. American Memorial Foundation in their 13th Annual Freedom Walk as well as the Reuben Yoshikawa, who succeeded long CA Nisei VFW holds Reunion 4 time chair Dr. Tsuneishi, said that Interfaith Prayer for Japan Japan American Society of Washington, D.C. (JASW) in its 51st Sakura Matsuri “participation in Sakura Matsuri is an im- portant priority in JAVA’s education pro- Yaguchi awarded for excep- 5 street festival. The events this year were gram because we can reach out to the tional civilian service somewhat subdued and heartfelt due to the American public to tell them the Japanese Philly Vets take to the links disaster in Japan. The 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates American story.” Supporting Yoshikawa th were: Dr. Raymond Murakami, Grant Ichi- DVA celebrates Woman’s 6 the 99 anniversary of the gift of cherry kawa, Dr. Stanley Falk, LTC Alan Ueoka, History Month blossom trees and the enduring friendship Ichikawa speaks to new US between the U.S. and Japan. U.S. Army, retired Lt Col Mike Yaguchi, citizens U.S. Air Force, Noriko Sanfuji, Robert Na- JAVA’s booth, provided free by the JASW, kamoto, Aki Konoshima, retired LTC Mark Hirabayashi laid to rest at 7 consisted of handouts of literature pertain- Nakagawa, U.S. Army, and Betty Taira. th Arlington Cemetery ing to internment, the 100 Battalion, Gerald Yamada, President, and Bob Naka- 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Mili- moto, immediate past president, also par- Highlights from Dept of VA 8 tary Intelligence Service, and Japanese ticipated as docents. Americans who served in the Korean, Viet- News from other Veterans “Over the past decade, the Sakura Matsuri Organizations nam and Gulf Wars. Docents, comprised of veterans of WW II, Korean, Vietnam and has grown ten times. It takes almost 4,000 the Gulf Wars, were on hand to respond to people to put on this great show, the big- Update on Congressional Gold 9 questions of the thousands of visitors. gest Japanese festival in America,” said Medal Ambassador John R. Malott, President and Speakers Bureau In recognition of the Congressional Gold CEO of JASW. 150,000 visitors had a selec- Medal that will be awarded to members tion of 30 vendors of Japan, Korea, Thai- Meet the Generals and 10 ofthe 100th, 442nd and the MIS, JASW fea- land, Vietnam and western foods and a beer Admirals tured two JAVA veterans in its program; garden and sake tasting. The Freedom Walk, held the Ichikawa interviewed by 11 Kyodo News Service previous weekend, is designed to Thank You Donors! raise awareness about the Japa- nese American experience dur- ing WW II. A program was held Taps 12 at the National Japanese Ameri- VA outreachs to Tribal Vets can Memorial to Patriotism, which was built as a tribute to From the Editor 13 the 33,000 Japanese American Membership application soldiers who served in the US Craig Uchida, Gerald Yamada are joined by the National military and also to the 120,000 JAVA Committee Information 14 Cherry Blossom Festival Goodwill Ambassadors for the ribbon persons of Japanese ancestry Upcoming Events cutting ceremony marking the start of the 13th Annual Free- detained in internment camps dom Walk, co-sponsored by the National Japanese American during World War II. Memorial Foundation and JAVA. (George Newcomb) PAGE 2 JAVA ADVOCATE MARCH 2011 make the materials available to other high honor for the World War II vet- President’s Message schools across the country. We are seek- erans, JAVA should find ways to give back to the veteran community. As a It is an honor to ing to work with the Department of Edu- VA recognized Veterans Service Or- serve as JAVA cation to inform other school districts as ganization and a member of the Na- President and a to the availability of JAVA materials for tional Military Veterans Alliance, privilege to serve their use. We want to ensure that stu- JAVA is in the unique position of with dedicated dents have the opportunity to learn participating in programs that will board members about how prejudice and war hysteria benefit all veterans. I look forward to whose experience led to the unjust imprisonment of Japa- having JAVA work with the VA and spans every war nese Americans during the World War II NMVA to increase JAVA’s participa- from World War and why Japanese American men and tion in those types of programs. II to the present women answered the call to duty to two wars that the United States is prove their loyalty and patriotism. I look forward to working with JAVA engaged. members. I encourage you to con- Ensuring Our Financial Secu- tinue supporting JAVA by renewing As President, I have set three goals rity. JAVA operates on membership your membership and asking other for JAVA. First, JAVA should dues and voluntary donations. Although veterans to join, attending our quar- broaden the reach of its education JAVA does not solicit money, JAVA has terly luncheon and other JAVA ac- program. Second, JAVA must take been fortunate over the past four years tivities, and giving us suggestions on steps to secure its longevity and finan- to receive very sizable donations. This ways to improve the way we do busi- cial viability into the foreseeable fu- gives JAVA the flexibility to fund special ness. ture. Third, JAVA needs to become a projects. JAVA must continue operating more active member of the veteran’s within its annual budget derived from —Gerald Yamada, Esq. community. membership dues and needs to invest President the donations in long term investments Preserving Our Legacy. Over the that will assure a stream of revenue that past four years, JAVA has been build- can fund special projects and ensure Honorary Chairs ing relationships with schools in the JAVA’s longevity. We must create safe- Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senate Montgomery, Frederick, Fairfax, Ar- guards on the use of these long-term Senator Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senate, lington Counties and Washington, DC investments so that the investment prin- Medal of Honor Public School Systems as well as area cipal will secure JAVA’s future. The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta universities and community organiza- Hershey H. Miyamura, Medal of Honor tions. The JAVA speakers talk about Supporting Programs Benefiting All George Joe Sakato, Medal of Honor Veterans. Later this year, the Congres- their personal experience regarding sional Gold Medal will be presented to the treatment of Japanese American Officers during World War II, their motivation the soldiers who served during World th Gerald Yamada, Esq., President for serving in the US military, and life War II in the 100 Infantry Battalion, nd Bruce Hollywood, Col, USAF (Ret), in the War Relocation Authority 442 Regimental Combat Team, and the Vice President camps. Each presentation is highly Military Intelligence Service. Our Na- appreciated by teachers and stu- tion will be bestowing on these Japanese Alan Ueoka, LTC, USA, Secretary dents. We need to take what JAVA American veterans a very special Mark Nakagawa, LTC, USA (Ret), has done with these schools and to honor. In appreciation of receiving this Treasurer Board of Directors Above Officers plus: William Houston, Deputy Executive Director Grant Ichikawa Wade Ishimoto Janelle Kuroda, LT, USN Calvin Ninomiya, Esq., General Counsel Terry Shima, Executive Director Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA Reuben Yoshikawa JAVA ADVOCATE Akio Konoshima, Editor Emeritus Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (center in yellow coat) attended the Sakura Matsuri and Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA, Editor visited the JAVA tent. L-R: Aki Konoshima, LTC Mark Nakagawa, USA (Ret); Gerald Janelle Kuroda, LT, USN, Assistant Editor Yamada, Esq; Mazie Hirono; Reuben Yoshikawa; Lt Col Mike Yaguchi, USAF (Ret); Dr. Ray Murakami; and Betty Taira. (Noriko Sanefuji) MARCH 2011 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 3 2 elite Army Airborne Divisions commanded by Japanese Americans [Editor’s Note: It is a rare occasion eral, 82nd Airborne Division, indeed when the stars align so that based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., the U.S. Army’s two legendary has Japanese ancestry that also Airborne divisions are each com- comes from his mother’s manded by a Japanese Ameri- side. The Honolulu native, a can. Here is that story. JAVA Leleihua High School graduate, wishes to thank the 101st and 82nd entered the Army via Reserve Airborne Divisions Public Rela- Officer Training Corps program tions offices for the creation of this at the University of Georgia. He article.] follows in the footsteps of fa- mous former 82nd “All- WASHINGTON — There’s no American” commanders such as doubt that opportunities for mi- Generals Matthew B. Ridge- norities in America have come a Left: Major General James L. Huggins, Jr., Commanding way, James M. Gavin, Maxwell long way, it’s no different for General, 82nd Airborne Division. Right: Major General D. Taylor, and Omar N. Brad- those who serve in the military. John F. Campbell, Commanding General, 101st Airborne ley. In the past, there haven’t always Division (Air Assault). been the same opportunities for Having Japanese heritage isn’t minorities in the military as there are today.