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Memories of Topaz Spring Campaign During his incarceration, Dave Historic Pilgrimage Help support the P.C. Tatsuno secretly filmed his Tule Lake is hosting its Web site with your bleak world. Now his son pilgrimage in time to generous donation. celebrates his life & work. celebrate its historic designation. COUPON PAGE 2 ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 9 NATIONAL NEWS PAGE 6
Not Funny: Air Balloon Bomb An artist models a hot air balloon since1929PACIFIC CITIZEN after the bomb dropped on Nagaski during World War II. mmr.:.mmm:mmThe National Publication of the Japanese American Citizens League APA Disabled War Vet Hopes Next Step Will be Congress The Army major proved legs. But if she wins her bid to rep• has won the vocal support of Vice she could hang with the resent illinois' 6th District in President Dick Cheney. '] could've died ... boys in uniform, but what November, she will also be the frrst But then again, Duckworth says frankly, I'm dam lucky. about the men in the female Asian Pacific American fed• she's used to challenges. At the end of the day, nation's capital? erally elected official from the land The Democratic candidate, who yeah, my legs are gone, of Lincoln. was born in Thailand, is also used but there are triple "I will be the fIrst," said to being a pioneer. When she was By LYNDA LIN amputees out there, ' Assistant Editor Duckworth, 38, from her Lombard fIrst commissione4 for service, she said Tammy headquarters. And without missing chose to become a pilot because it Duckworth, Illinois' L. Tammy Duckworth knows a beat she adds, "TIus district is was the only way to get into combat Democratic candidate she's making history. Since her ready for a change." at the time. For her, the decision for Congress. March 21 primary win enabled her A win for Duckworth would was a matter of fairness - male to vie for a seat in the U.S. House of usher in a stark change of leadership soldiers in the same position had If she wins in Representatives, the media has been for Illinois' 6th District, a suburban the choice to enter combat, she sim• November, the Iraqi transfixed on her physical disabili• area long represented by ply wanted the same choice. war vet will make APA ties. An Iraqi war veteran who lost Republican Henry Hyde, who is "I didn't want to face less danger history. both legs in a grenade attack, retiring after 32 years. In November, just because I'm female," said Duckworth hits the campaign trail Duckworth will face Republican Duckworth, who grew up with dual in a wheelchair or on prosthetic Peter Roskam, a state senator, who identities. Her father, Franklin See DUCKWORTHIPage 12 Groups Hope to Save 'Obasan' Finding Old Friends in Faded Pictures By LYNDA LIN Author's Childhood House . Assistant Editor With less than a month to 'It was my paradise, not just a house. '- Joy Kogawa, Editor's Note: The typewritten go, $1.25 million needs to author of 'Obasan,' talks about her childhood home in Marpole, letter addressed to the PacifIc Citizen contained one dramatic be raised to preserve the Vancouver pictured below. plea: "HELP." Dick Marquette home where renowned spoke about his search for a group author Joy Kogawa spent of Japanese prisoners of war he her childhood. befriended while stationed in the Philippines during World War II LOST UNKS: Looking for POWs. By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM and never forgot. Now in the twi• in the last throes of WWII. Back Executive Editor light ofhis life, the veteran is hoping then, he said, prisoners weren't to reestablish contact with some treated as badly as they are today, so Peering over the white picket unlikely friends. fence that encircles the simple, despite the odds the Japanese POWs and the American soldier wood-framed house, renowned The details are cloudy, but mem• became friends. Japanese Canadian author and ories remain etched in his mind: a poet Joy Kogawa instantly recog• These days the American veteran, group of at least 20 friendly faces Dick Marquette, 80, is doing what nizes the front door from her smiling at him despite being cap• childhood memories and a cherry tured and held by American forces See OLD FRIENDSlPage 6 tree, now much taller, that still blossoms in the backyard. After and a backyard peach 'tree are what fanrily were sent to Slocan City, more than six decades, Kogawa Kogawa, 71, remembers of her time British Columbia and after the 'J-Lile Project' Puts JA Youth in Focus feels like she is fInally back home. here and are chronicled in her war the fanrily eventually settled Until the age of six, tlris small award-winning novel "Obasan." in Toronto. Best friends Eric bungalow located on West 64th But as in her famous novel, real In 2003 Kogawa made her way Yamamoto (left) Avenue in Marpole, Vancouver life changed abruptly for Kogawa back to her childhood home but and Kirk Iwasaki was home for Kogawa, her older after Pearl Harbor when the govern• her reminiscences Were interrupt• are collaborating brother TImothy and their parents. ment evacuated all Japanese ed by the red "For Sale" sign on on a documen• A bustling household, sunny Canadians on' the West Coast to the house's front lawn. Although tary project that views from the front windows, internment camps. Kogawa and her See KOGAWAIPage 4 takes a closer look at today's COMMENTARY Japanese Phoenix :QJsing: American youth Leadership ror a New That J-Word Again I culture. generabon By JOHN TATEISID JA CL Executive Director Two Yonsei best friends New Year's dinner. I was talking with someone sit• travel across the country to Sound fanriliar? ting next to me on a plane the other find out what's on the minds Raised in Los Angeles and cur• day who thought I was overly sensi• of today's JA high school rently attending the Art Institute of tive because I and college kids. Chicago, Yamamoto didn't tlrink informed him much of his JA roots while living in that the word diverse Southern California. But By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM "Jap" is offen• Executive Editor after a move four years ago to the JACL National Convention sive to me, to Windy City where Asian Americans June 21-24, 2006 Japanese Yonsei Eric Yamamoto, 21, may are much smaller in number, Chandler, Arizona Americans. be an ideal conduit for today's Yamamoto suddenly felt like a He was talk• Japanese American youth. He likes minority for the fIrst time. ing about how much he adnrired the hip-hop music, fast cars, and fusion Now Yamamoto, an aspiring fIlm Japanese (I noted that he meant cuisine. He also keeps his shoes on student, and his best friend Kirk 10 those others, you know, the I Iwasaki, 22, are collaborating on the WEEIiS in his Sansei parents' home and has See TATEISHlJPage 8 never tried a traditional Japanese See J-LlFE PROJECTlPage 4 2 LEITERS/NATIONAL PACIFIC ClTIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006
~ PACIAC CmZEN ~ LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? 2005 WINNERI -t!~~u U ~ Editor ------www.pacificcitizen.org GMEirlA Launch the Web site into the next online ~ Awards In Wrttlng ..,J Personal Stories Rejuvenating the of the Nisei JA Community
PACIFIC CmZEN This letter is in response to the It may not be the fault of the pres• ent membership chair but there has 250 E. First Street, Ste. 301, Pacific Citizen article in the March been a lack of efficiency and imagi• Los Angeles, CA. 90012 3-16 issue titled "School Collects nation. There is no listing of costs of Tel: 213/620-1767, Stories from wwn Camps." 800/966-6157 individual memberships in the Every year since 2003, the 7th Fax: 213/620-1768 renewal forins or in the recent mem• graders at the Harmon Middle E-mail: [email protected] bership contest. www.pacificcitizen.org School plan, organize, and conduct Also, if JACL initiates projects of an all-day event to hear the personal interest for Japanese Americans Executive Editor: stories of Nisei who were impris• instead of protesting discrimination Caroline Y. Aoyagi-Stom CHAPTER: -----" oned only because they looked like against Asian Pacific Americans Assistant Editor: MAIL TO: PACIRC CmzEN, 250 E. Lynda Lin the enemy. and Muslim and Arab Americans STREET, SUITE 301, LOS ANGELES, CA Office Manager: These stories have been captured there could be a sharp increase in Brian Tanaka in mini booklets that were designed membership. .. Circulation: Eva Lau-Ting SPRING_------CAMPAIGN and written by the students. For example, why not commem• Publisher:Japanese American Seventeen Nisei from the greater orate the triumphant return of the Developing P.C.S Online Vision Citizens League (founded 1929) Cleveland area volunteered to share 442nd ReT from the battlefields of 1765 Sutter Street, San their personal experiences. Each is France and Italy on July 15, 1946? By LARRY GRANT a foothold on the Internet. The next Francisco, CA 94115, tel: uniquely different. The 442nd received its seventh step is to further develop the P. e. 415/921-5225 fax: 415/931- Would this be another way for the Presidential Distinguished Unit Web site. 4671, www.jacl.org I get my first news of the day on Citation from President Harry JACL President: Ken Inouye Nisei to tell their personal stories to . the Internet. Whether at home or at The goal of the P. e. is to become Nat'l Director: John Tateishi middle school studenl$? Would this Truman on that day. His statement: work, I can read my local newspa• a viable Internet news source. Pacific Citizen Board of be a simple, but powerful way to tell "You fought not only the enemy, but pers and any of Worldwide, . JACL members and Directors: Gil Asakawa, chair• how their rights were violated and you fought prejudice - and you hundreds of P.e. subscribers will eventually be person; Roger Ozaki, EDC; won" set the stage for the many how the Nisei survived? other newspa• able to read the entire P. e. edition Casey China, MDC; Kathy miraculous blessings we have Would such cooperative projects pers nation• on-line. Pressing stories can be pub• Ishimoto, CCDC; Nelson Nagai, received in the following decades. NCWNPDC; Sheldon Arakaki, help facilitate and enhance the task wide and even lished quicker without having to A picture of President Truman PNWDC; Larry Grant, IDC; of the National JACL Education worldwide. wait for the print version. saluting the 442nd banner could be Sharon Kumagai, PSWDC; Committee to recommend to their Seeing a Now, here's the point. As with Maya Yamazaki, Youth. placed on the JACCC (Japanese respective states that this event in our almost every good thing, there is a American Cultural and Community national story American history be incorporated in r-NEWSlAifoEADLiNE:--' Center) wall in Little Tokyo. It in a local paper cost and the P.e. needs your support FRIDAY BEFORE DATE courses being taught in our public could also be the site to hold the July I often look for a newspaper from to meet the challenge. The P.e. s OF ISSUE. school? the city where the story originated annual Spring Campaign is in full Editorials, news and the opin• 15th observance. Ions expressed by columnists For more details contact Renee The JACL under Mike Masaoka from just to see how the story was swing. other than the national JACL Caminati, Reading Teacher, Harmon reported there. Last year, the campaign was ded• president or national director led the way to our redemption, to do not necessarily reflect JACL Middle School at 440/248-5888. For the voiding of hundreds of anti• I am also excited to be able to icated to establishing the initial P. e. policy. Events and products the Cleveland JACL Speakers read stories from the Pacific Citizen web-edition. 1hls year the goal is to advertised In the Pacific Japanese laws and customs and the Citizen do not carry the implicit Bureau contact Ed Ezaki, 440/234- successful redress campaign. Why Web site (www.pacificcitizen.org). further develop the P. e. Web site endorsement of the JACL or 5565. can't JACL pioneer the way to reju• The P. staff chooses stories of par• which does not receive any funding this publication. We reserve the e. right to edit articles. ~~7~ venate the national JA community? ticular interest to Japanese from national JACL. ~------J CLPr ident Americans and will give a point of The additional funds you donate PACIFIC CmZEN (ISSN: 0030- view that is unavailable from other will be used carefully to create a 8579) is published semi-monthly Lyndhurst, OH 1Itu tJMi news sources. first-class product. Please find the except once in December and Renton, WA January by the Japanese o Just for kicks I did an Internet ways and means to make a contribu• American Citizens League, 250 SUBMISSION POUcy search for "JACL history." There tion to the P.e. web-edition. E. Rrst Street, Ste. 301, Los were over 58,000 sites listed in the Skipping a $1.50 soda or a $3 latte Angeles, CA. 90012 OFFICE The Pacific Citizen welcomes press releases, story ideas HOURS - Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 results. Many of the sites are JACL just once a week can provide a pain• & calendar items. Send submissions to: chapter sites. From Wikipedia, an less way to give $75 to $150 and p.m. Pacific Time. ©2006. e-mail: [email protected] Annual subSCription rates: 250 E. 1st Street, Suite 301 on-line encyclopedia, to the official might even improve your heath. NON-MEMBERS: 1 year-$40, Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax: 2131620-1767 JACL site, most have a good synop• Don't wait. Make a commitment payable in advance. Additional Send Letters to the Editor to: [email protected] sis of JACL chapter and national now to make a donation. Then, postage per year - Foreign peri• * All submissions must include signature, history and purpose. write and mail the check. Your first odical rate $25; First Class for phone number & address U.S., Canada, Mexico: $30; We are certainly in the Internet reward is knowing you have con• Airmail to Japan/Europe: $60. age and JACL is poised to take tributed to an important and worth• (Subject to change without advantage of the Internet to accom• while project. A more expansive on• notice.) Periodicals postage paid plish our mission. line P. e. will come sooner because at Los Angeles, Calif. The JACL mission is: "to secure of your support. Pennlsslon: No part of this publi• and maintain the civil rights of Thank you for your generous cation may be reproduced with- out express permission of the Japanese Americans and all others contribution. • publisher. Copying for other than who are victimized by injustice and personal or intemal reference use prejudice. The leaders and members Larry Grant is the Intermountain without the express permission of of JACL also work to promote cul• District P.e. Board Representative. P.e. is prohibited. tural values and preserve the her• POSTMASTER: Send address itage and legacy of the Japanese changes to: Pacific Citizen, clo JACL National Headquarters, American community." 1765 Sutter St., San Francisco, The mission of the JACL and P. e. CA 94115. are inextricably combined. As the . John's Bank national publication of the JACL, the P.e. has evolved over the years JACL MEMBERS has been a handy banking partner for over 35 years with the JACL. The basic mission and purpose of the JACL has not PACIFIC CITIZEN Change of Address financed a rtewptle( factory without squeeling capital changed much over the years. The .• ;.. ~', ,.,:::-A:;..;... . methods and specific programs to 250 E. Rrst Street , Ste 301 If you have moved, Los Angeles, CA 90012 accomplish the mission have phone: 2131620-1767 please send information evolved. fax: 2131620-1768 e-mail: [email protected] to: From emphasizing the elimina• www.pacificcitizen.org tion of discriminatory laws and * Except for the National Director's Report, National JACL news and the views expressed by colum• 1765 Sutter St. practices of the first half of the last nists do not necessarily reflect JACL policy. Invest in you. century, to proving the patriotism of The columns are the personal opinion of the San Francisco, CA writers. the JAs of the 1940s, to eliminating * "Voices" reflect the active, public discus• 94115 barriers to citizenship for Issei, to sion within JACL of a wide range of ideas and issues, though they may not reflect the Allow 6 weeks for address redress, and the elimination of viewpoint of the editorial board of the Pacific J. changes. offensive language and geographic Citizen. \ * "Short expressions" on public issues, names, the JACL and P.e. have usually one or two paragraphs, should I To avoid intenuptions in receiving worked as teammates. include signature, address and daytime your p.e. please notify your part• phone number. Because of space limita• master to include peIiodicals in It is now time for the P. e. to take tions, letters are subject to abridgement. the next step to expand its reach. Although we are unable to print all the letters your chcinge of address (USPS we receiw, we appreciate the interest and Fonn3575) The small but dedicated P. e. staff views of those who take the time to send us has taken the first steps to establish their comments. PACIFIC CITIZEN APR. 7-20, 2006 . NATIONAL NEWS 3 Artist Designs·Balloon Modeled After A-bomb National NeUJsbytes By ASSOCIATED PRESS "It's not something we should put . By P.e. Staff and Associated Press in the closet or celebrate," Maria ALBUQuERQUE-An artist is Santelli, co-coordinator of the APA Groups Join in Protest drawing static for his design for a Albuquerque Center for Peace and for Immigrant Rights hot-air balloon modeled after an Justice, said of New Mexico's con• nection PHILADELPHIA-Asian Pacific American groups have joined in the atomic bomb. to· nuclear weapons. "It's national protest of what they call a discriminatory bill being considered by "It's meant to be campy in a something we should think of sober• the U.S. Senate. way," Chad Person said. "I like to ly and try to get rid of." splash in some humor. ·If you can;t In recent weeks, dozens of APA groups have joined Hispanic-led If conversations from the balloon protests demanding better treatment for immigrants. Groups including the see humor.. in the world around you, ultimately lead to productive action we'd all go crazy." Justice for Jiang Campaign - named after a Philadelphia Woman whose against nuclear weapons, that would Person, 27, has been wOlking on be good, said John Tateishi, JACL miscarriage of twin babies in February is being blamed OJ?- the govern• ment's alleged violent deportation procedure - is planning a large scale the 105,OOO-cubic-foot balloon executive director. Otherwise, he 'Fat Man' is a ' hot air balloon rally for immigrant rights April 10. This Philadelphia rally is ~xpected to since December. He has fInished said, the idea probably will offend modeled after one of the bombs coincide with rallies in 14 cities nationwide on behalf of immigrant rights. designing it and has a company Japanese Americans. that struck Nagasaki. The Sensenbrenner~King Bill, if passed, would criminalize all undocu• I lined up to build it. '1 think it does create some dis• mented workers and those who employ them. Some APA groups likened I The hurdle is fInding enough comfort for Japanese Americans," Hawkins' 86-year-old father was the bill to exclusionary and racist provisions historically inflicted on Asian . money to build it in time for this Tateishi said. "I doubt you'll see any in the Navy during WWII and was immigrants. year's Albuquerque International Japanese Americans on the fIeld stationed on a minesweeper off the Balloon Fiesta, which runs from where they launch those things with coast of Japan when atomic bombs MichiganSupreme Court Won't Oct. 6-15. any sense of joy about it." were dropped on Nagasaki and Hear Affirmative Action Ballot Case The balloon is modeled after Fat Person's goal is to highlight two Hiroshima. Man, one of two atomic bombs dissimilar but important aspects of LANSING, Mich.-A last-ditch effortto prevent voters from consider• '1t's part of our history," Hawkins designed at Los Alamos National New Mexico history - nuclear ing a proposal that would ban some affirmative action programs in said. "Making people aware of it• Laboratory in the 1940s. weapons and hot-air ballooning. Michigan has failed. . whatever your current persuasion Not everyone sees humor in Fat "It's sort of like a dirty secret," .The Michigan Supreme Court, in an order issued March 29, has decided - is probably a good thing." . Man, dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. Person said of the state's relation• not to hear an appeal of the case, meaning an appeals court decision that Person said nuclear weapons I 9, 1945, near the end of World War ship with the deadly weapons. ''We the issue should be on the November ballot will stand. scare him. The objective isn't to glo• IT. About 74,000 people were killed don't embraee it." The decision is a victory for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which rify them but to bring the subject up and 75,000 people injured in the He has about $8,000 toward the has been leading the drive to let voters decide in November if government for discussion in an artistic way, he bombing. cost of the $50,000 project. and university admissions programs should be banned from giving prefer• said .• ential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, , ethnicity or national origin. City Officials Decide Against Monument of Former Mayor Bill Aims to Arm Mail-Order Brides Herbert H. Hughes, a medical background] was well-intentioned, it was 'not complete," with Information doctor, refused to help JA patients. said Shane Bemis, council president. "TIns proposal should not have come forward to begin with." ST. PAUL--A state Senate committee March 13 unanimously approved By Pacific Citizen Staff Hughes was the longest-serying mayor in city history. a bill that would put criminal background checks and marital histories of He was a medical doctor who delivered many of the prospective spouses in the hands of mail-order brides, in their own lan• There will not be a memorial to former mayor Herbert community's babies, but before his death in 1964, he guages before they commit. H. Hughes in the city of Gresham, said the city council reportedly refused to treat a pregnant woman because of The bill would require international marriage brokers to inform foreign March 16 after. Japanese American residents raised con• her Japanese ethnicity. brides about domestic violence and immigration law. Violations could cerns over Hughes' racist past. At a March 7 meeting JACL members including bring fines of as much as $20,000. Hughes, who served the city from 1941 to 1956, had Portland Chapter President John Kodachi and Chip The state is home to more than 100 mail-order brides from the former been linked 0 the Oregon Anti-Japane Inc., acco ding u , c ap 0 . 'on to the Soviet Union, the Philippines and other impoverished countries. But there to The Oregonian. memorial. is little regulation. Washington state, Hawaii, Missouri and Texas have The proposal will not be revisited, the city council The council pulled the proposal from the agenda and laws regulating international marriage brokers, and Congress recently said, because of concerns expressed by the JA commu• called for the creation of a task force to examine how to passed a law modeled on the Washington statute.• nity and closer examination of more evidence that links better handle memorial projects in the future. Hughes to an anti-Japanese group that sought to prevent Even with the monument called off, the city continues ··s··_· ~ ·-A·,: ·- PA·:···· the return of JA residents from internment camps after to hammer out the details of that yet-unnamed group, ...... "" " ~ in the World War IT. which is expected to establish criteria over the next two News "It is clear that while the original research [of Hughes' to four months for honoring community leaders .•
By Pacific Citizen Staff HistoriC Seattle Courthouse Gets Much Needed Renovation The building is named after The art deco style los Angeles' Suburbs Swear In APA Mayors I famed wwn JA hero. courthouse, located at Chi Mui, became the city of San Gabriel's first ever Asian Pacific 1010 Fifth Avenue, American and Chinese American mayor March 21. Seattle's William Kenzo was built in 1940 as Mui was elected to the five-member council in March 2003 and appoint• Nakamura United States the first building in the ed vice mayor in 2004. Courthouse is \Scheduled for a West designed specifi• Today, about 50-percent of the city's residents are Asian. Mui said his goal facelift this s~er to restore and cally as a federal court• is to serve as a bridge between the city and its residents. modernize the historic building, house. In 1980, it was Betty Tom Chu, the first Chinese Aqlerican female lawyer in Southern according to the U.S. General listed in the National Califomia, was installed March 13 as the mayor of Monterey Park. Services Administration (GSA). Register of Historic The $44 million project will Places. Nisei Veferans living in Texas include restoration of the court• The courthouse was to Receive APA Award rooms, seismic and structural rededicated ill 200 1 in the name of He was posthumously awarded the Some World War IT members of the 442nd Army Battalion will be hon• upgrades as well as an upgrade to an Private First Class William Kenzo Distinguished Service Cross, the ored with the "George H.w. Bush APAAward" to be presented by the Asian environmentally "green building" Nakamura, a Seattleite who was country's second highest military Pacific American Heritage Association at their May 19 gala dinner. rating. Upon completion, the awarded the Medal of Honor for his award. 442nd veterans Willie Tanamachi, Tomtnie Okabayashi and MIS vet• Nakamura U.S. Courthouse will heroism in World War IT. In 2000, President Bill Clinton eran George Nakamura will be presented the honor by Nellie Connelly, once again become the Seattle home Nakamura was a member of the upgraded the awar~ to a Medal of wife of former mayor who named all members of the 442nd honorary for the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of 442nd Regimental Combat Team Honor, our country's highest mili• Texans. Appeals. who was killed by an enemy sniper. tary honor.• WWI Veteran is Buried at Punchbowl Cemetery Kinzo Ernest Wakayama, a U.S. Army veteran Seattle University Dedicates JA Remembrance Garden of World War I, was buried with full military hon• Located on the northeast comer of Theology and Ministry's Seattle University established the ors March 27 at the National Memorial Cemetery the Seattle University campus that Hunthausen Hall and the Chapel of garden as a special area for healing, of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Hawaii. once was the site of a Japanese St. Ignatius. reflection and inspiration. It also cel• Wakayama volunteered and served in France as a American community, the Japanese "For the Japanese community, ebrates the legacy of Fujitaro private in the U.S. Army Medical Department's 9th American Remembrance Garden this garden is very special because it Kubota, a Japanese immigrant who Ambulance Company from July 1, 1918, to April • will serve as a living memorial to marks the area as sacred land in immigrated to the United States in 22,1919. He was awarded the WWl European Campaign Medal. JAs who were forced to live in honor of the Japanese who lived 1907 and was interned at Camp In 1948 Wakayama moved his family to Fukuoka City, Japan where he internment camps during World War here and were unjustly forced into .Minidoka in Idaho. worked as superintendent of the American Movie Film Distribution Center IT. internment camps during World War The garden features plants, trees of Kyushu Island. He also taught at Gakugei University, Fukuoka city, until The garden, designed by Allan II," said Larry Matsuda, visiting and rocks, all carefully positioned to he retired at age 62. Kubota, was celebrated in a dedica• professor in the College of create balance and simplicity that He was ~rn a U.S. citizen June 17, 1897, in Kohala, Hawaii, and passed tion ceremony April 6 at the garden Education and committee chairman are distinctive of Japanese gardens. away Nov. 27,1999, at the age of 102 in Fukuoka City.• site, located next. to the School of of the JA Remembrance Garden. • • 4 NATIONAL NEWS PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20,2006 more stories of injustice been submitted with no reply yet but KOGAWA NOTICE TO ALL have yet to be written. It the committee has so far raised close (Continued from page 1) .JAPAIESE PEISOIIS is Kogawa's hope that to $200,000. a sale was avoided at the time, the AID PERSOIS OF through the House's writ• They are hopeful that recent current homeowners are seeking a ers in residence program, national and international exposure demolition pennit to build a larger JAPAIESE RACIAL ORIC;'I writers who would other• to their efforts will propel their "l'AKl NO,."" tkt ..~"" _ ...... ". 22. wise be prevented from fundraising efforts. Committee house on the property. Now com• N """ :M 01 "'" 'd'"'' Coi_w.. _~ c;...... Jo. ~ ,f~ h.t.. ., ..... ",.,.Il ..... ~~~ Gt'ft:$ telling their stories in members believe they will reach the munity groups are rallying to save• .,. _*t. ..~.! ~ J ...... Nt'.. ~ their home countries will target goal but say their efforts will the house. t.U (' V l _N~ MI'tU"I"I»l ~. ,* d "~". $k"'."t... l ."i!.QVm.AIII finally be able t~ put pen continue even after the deadline. "It was my paradise, not just a $1ti>.Ist.AH:D I'Q~T MQQO't . n ll"" 1 ~ to paper. "The preservation of Joy house," said Kogawa from her MAIlP<)U OISTIUC'I' 0' H>aT coqufl't.AM "It will be a place for Kogawa's childhood home would be daughter's home in Vancouver. "All QUUtolStOROV" " MAflU>.UVII.L£ C1 TY OF nASllt Mll~$- writers to think, reflect, a final statement that the Nikkei have the time we were in Slocan, I was I
.(]FE PROJECT with people from Seattle and ''This generation in general is not Hawaii. worried about the past; they are con• (Continued from page 1) What Yamamoto and Iwasaki dis• cerned abo~t what's happening "J-Life Project," a documentary that - covered was that JA youth from now," said Iwasaki, who believes his aims to delve deeper into what coast to coast share a lot of sirnilari• generation has not experienced today's JA youth across the country ties whether it was hanging out at the overt discrimination like the earlier are all about. What they've discov• hottest hangouts, attending Buddhist generntions had to deal with. ''The ered is that a shared history binds church events, or taking in a JA bas• older generation should know that them and the issues of community ketball league game. In the end it we're at the next stage of JA history. and identity are almost always at the was all about the community. It's time to move forward." forefront. "Our strongest link is the commu• Although the World War II intern• "It's up to us to tell our stories ... nity. Networking is keeping the ment experience plays a huge role in our stories are just as important," . community strong and this project is JA history, the youth believe current said Yamamoto. "We are not the combining the community on a issues and concerns need to also same as the older generntions but national scale," said Iwasaki. "JAs take on a larger role in the commu• we are JAs. It's important to know are increasingly more mainstream nity. JAs need to look at pressing the past but we need to know the but what makes us unique is our issues like the discrimination faced future." community, the idea of 'six degrees by today's Arab and Muslim ''The word has spread and people of separation. '" American corrimunity. are really interested in the project. ''It's important to know the com• "Intemment is important but don't The youth that I've spoken to say munity and understand it," said dwell in the past," said Yamamoto. 'Cool, I'm glad that people are Yamamoto but added ~ "it's also "We need to move forward." doing stuff on us,''' said Iwasaki. important to experience a diverse The "J-Life Project" is scheduled ''The Yonsei are different and we community." to be completed in May and Iwasaki need to recognize this." The "J-Life Project" also shines a and Yamamoto hope the documen• The "J-L.I.F.E. (Lifestyle, Image, light on the diversity within the JA tary will be used in classrooms and Friendships/Families, and community from the Yonsei, the by various organizations. Film dis• Experiences) Project" began as a Shin-Issei and Shin-Nisei, and the tribution may be in the future but for:·ealifQrnia class assignment after Iwasaki, also Hapas. Interviewees ranged from _both Iwasaki and Yamamoto say the a native of Los Angeles and now a die-hard AA Studies students who experience of working on the project senior at Albion College in enjoy a more activist role in the com• has been one to remember. JACL Members Michigan, proposed the idea to his munity to those youth whose only "I'm less self-absorbed and more professor. Far from being a whole• community exposure is playing in conscious about the future," said sale definition of Japanese America, the JA basketball leagues. Yamamoto about his experience. "I An affordable plan, designed for the Iwasaki and Yamamoto stress that The issues discussed by the JA now have stories to tell. This docu• JA youth lifestyles and interests are youth run a wide gamut from out• mentary will be great for our chil• "next generation" of JACL member. the focus of this project. marriage rates and intermarriage, dren." With schooi funds and donations political participation, to the model "I've met some great people and Also choose from HMO and ·PPO plans. from family and friends, Iwasaki minority myth. But in the end all I've learned about the differences and Yamamoto have spent several issues boiled down to the single and similarities between JAs on a Call the JACL Health Benefits Administrators at weeks crisscrossing the country to most prevalent topic: identity. national scale," said Iwasaki. "It's interview youth at community "For the youth it's about identity. nice to know that other people are events and trendy hangouts. In addi• For me, it's all about identity," said - doing the same things across the 1.800.400.6633 tion to metropolitan areas in Yamamoto. country." • , or visit Southem and Northern California, As with most young people, con• the two have visited Chicago, New cern for the future and what might be For more information about the J• Blue Shield www.jaclhealth.org Yorl<, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. in store for them was also on their ofCalliornia life Project, go to wwwJ-life.co.nr. An irriepender.t.Mernber Jap~Hles~ Arne! iean Interviews were also conducted minds. of the B: ~ Je Shie~d Citizen's League PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 NATIONAL/COMMUNTIY 5 Application Deadline Extended to May 1 st for Masaoka • CongreSSional Fellowship • TED NAl\1BA • The JACL is now seeking candi• American issues, particularly those dates for its Mike M. Masaoka affecting the Japanese American Baseball and Books Fellowship, an annual program community. which places extraordinary ~ students The JACL established the Mike in Congressional offices to learn M. Masaoka Fellowship Fund in rmer Gila internees and ents were internees at Manzanar. Kadohata has recently released about public policymaking first• 1988 to honor Mike M. Masaoka baseball fans know the story Also at the JACL 2006 conven• "Weedflower" which tells the story F: hand. Dr. H. Tom Tamaki, chair of (1915-1991) for a lifetime of out• of how on April 18, 1945, the tion, you will have the opportunity of a young ' girl and her family in the Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship standing public service in promot• Gila RiverlButte High Eagles base• to participate in book signings with Poston. "Weedflower" is intended Fund, announced that this year's ing justice, civil rights and human ball team beat the three-time approximately a half dozen authors. for middle school students but is application deadline has been dignity. The major purpose of the Arizona State Champion Tucson One of these authors, Jay Feldman, such a well written fictional account extended to May 1. Fund is to develop leaders for pub• High Badgers baseball team by the has released his latest book, of life in camp that everyone will The successful candidate will lic service by providing opportuni• score of 11-10 in 10 innings at "Suitcase Sefton and the American enjoy reading this book. serve his or her fellowship in the ties for college seniors or students in Rivers, Arizona. Dream" which is a fictional account We are making arrangements for office of a U.S. Senator or Member graduate or professional programs Isn't it amazing that this group of of a southpaw pitcher at the Gila Cynthia to address JACLers in the of the U.S. House of to work for a Member of CORgreSS Japanese American high school stu• Camp during the war. Convention Family Room on June Representatives for three and one or a Senator. dents, coached by the great Kenichi Yankees' scout, Suitcase Sefton, 24. She will then participate in a half months and receive a stipend of The fellows' assignments include Zenimura, excelled in the national happens to drive through Arizona book signing after sharing her writ• $8,500 and roundtrip airfare from a variety of tasks where they will be past time sport while forced to live and notices the large fenced com• ing experiences with both young the fellow's home to Washington, exposed to all facets of the work of behind barbed wire in Gila during pound in the middle of the desert. JACLers and anyone else interested D.C. The fellowship period may be the Representative or Senator and World War IT? When he drives up, he notices a in meeting Cynthia. the fall term (September through his/her staff. The most recently Although it's been over 60 years baseball game going on and is pleas• JACL 2006 will give us an oppor• December, 2006) or the spring term selected Mike M. Masaoka fellow is since the JA internees were released antly surprised to see young Jerry tunity to remember our past, plan (February through May, 2007) and Michelle Sugi of Apple Valley, from the 10 internment camps, it's Yamada who has the best stuff of our future and meet authors who will be arranged with the Calif., who has just completed serv• very important to remember the his• any lefty he has ever seen. The book write about JA experiences. Don't Congressional office and the ing in the office of Sen. Daniel tory of our community, as well as describes how this Yankees' scout forget to take advantage of "early Fellow. Inouye, D-Hawaii. the history of our country and learns all about the JA experience in bird" registration rates by sending in All students who are in at least Interested persons should visit the world. camp and is a very enjoyable book your registration form by April30! their third year of college or in grad• JACL website at At the JACL 2006 convention, to read. See you at convention! • uate/professional programs and who http://www.jacl.org/masaoka.html there will be a special re-dedication Most of you also realize that one are citizens of the United States are for further information and an appli• ceremony of the Gila monument of the other largest camps was in Ted Namba is the chairperson of the encouraged to apply. Preference cation . or contact the JACL which will be held outside the Gila Poston, Arizona. Newbery Medal 2006 national JACL convention in will be given to those with a demon• Washington, D.C office at 2021223- Arts and Crafts Center on June 25. Award winning author, Cynthia Arizona. strated commitment to Asian Pacific 1240; or by email: [email protected] . • Chapter member, Jim Kubota has led the Gila Committee in creating this new monument honoring the dACL Singles Convention Caruthers Union H.S. to Gila internees which will be accessi• Heads to Las Vegas ble to the public. The actual Gila Honor Nisei Graduates monument is further back on the The JACL Singles Convention, but this year it will Caruthers Union High School its graduation ceremony June 2 at Gila River Indian Community reser• Convention is scheduled for Oct. be held four months after the will be honoring 16 Nisei who the high school. The Nisei graduates 27-29 at the Plaza Hotel in Las National Convention in vation which makes access difficult would have graduated some 65 and "stand-ins" who are able to par• Chandler, Arizona in June. The to the public. Vegas. The convention will have a golf tournament, work• Singles Convention Committee years ago with their Class of '42, ticipate will march with cap and A national monument design con• shops, and a dinner dance. This hopes singles groups on the '43, '44, or '45 at a ceremony with gown with sash along with the stu• test was opened to collegiate archi• will be the first time a Singles West Coast, in Arizona, Utah graduates of the Class of 2006. dent graduates. tectural students last year and the Convention will be held in Las and Colorado will attend. And The 16 Nisei were part of the The 16 Nisei graduates receiving winning design was created by Vegas. Nikkei singles from all parts of 120,090 Americans and legal alien diplomas are: Class of '42-Henry University of Arizona student, The host chapter is the Las the country are cordially invited. residents of Japanese ancestry living Mayeda, Masao Nakashima, Shoji Melissa Mortenson. Melissa's beau• Vegas JACL with assistance The convention will be open on the West Coast who were put in Nakashima, Flora (Shoji) Dann, and tiful design clearly stood out over from the Greater L.A. Singles to both JACLers and non• concentration camps by the U.S. Yoshiko (Hoshiko) Yamagiwa; the other entries and she was chapter. The Singles Convention JACLers. Registration informa• Government during World War n. Class of '43-Furniko (Asakawa) delighted to learn that her design is usually held on an off year tion will become available in The Nisei graduates will join the Mochizuki, Michi (Doi) Tsumura, April . • was chosen because her grandpar- from the JACL National 140 seniors of the Class of 2006 at Toshiko (Hoshiko) Hata, Katsumi Masada, and Helen (Yamamoto) Motokane; Class of '44--Kazuye (Yamasaki) Inouye and Hideo Doi (presented posthumously); Class of '45-Misao (Asakawa) Hatakeda, Grace Mayeda, Ted Masada, and Aiko (Mas ada) Tani (presented posthumously). California Asemblywoman Sally Lieber authored AB 781 in INDIVIDUAl EVENTS (all included in package registration) 2003 allowing school districts and county education offices to award o Workshops $25 $30 $_- diplomas to any Nisei whose high Welcome Mixer $50 $60 $ o school education was interrupted by $50 $60 o Awards l uncheon $_- the forced removal and incarcera• o Sayonara Banquet $100 $110 $_- tion during WWII. $50 $60 o Youth l uncheon $_-. A community committee chaired by graduating senior, Brent Yamamoto, is contacting the Nisei graduates. Through educational materials provided on the subject the CURS student body will learn about what happened during WWII Convention Package $ and after. A panel of Nisei speakers Individual Events $ will also share their stories with the Special Events $ Senior Class Assembly April 28 . • Total $
Write a letter to theP.e. [email protected] 6 NATIONAL/ COMMUNITY NEWS PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20,2006 OLD FRIENDS ested in the culture and the art." 'The war is over and life goes on. .. ' One day, one of the POWs asked - Dick Marquette, below, during (Continued from page 1) for welding rods, which Marquette WWII with the daughter of a Filipino many others do when they cross family he befriended. Life has found for them, They spent days milestones - he's reflecting back moved on, but he whittling the metal into a replica of on people who affected his life. continues to search for old friends. a samurai sword complete with a tin "As you get older these things foil wrapped handle and decorations linger in your mind. Things like that of Mt. Fuji with Japanese writing. bother me," said Marquette, a Then they presented it to tIleir noble retired mail carrier who lives in warrior friend. Marysville, Calif. "I suppose I "I still treasure it," said should let these things go, but as you Marquette. "I never figured out get older, a'lot of times you wonder what the writing said." what happened to so-and-so," Towards the end of the war, The California native enjoys Marquette received notice to go PHOTO: DAVID HUANG researching and tracing family his• home and he went to communicate -Hiroshi Kashiwagi at the 2004 pilgrimage performance reads tory, but there have always been the good news to his friends. excerpts from his book, "Swimming in the American." some blank pages in his past that he "When I told them I was going always wanted to fill. Whatever home, they wanted to take a picture. happened to those Japanese POWs, They lined up," he said. Yule Lake Pilgrimage to he often wondered. Seven friendly faces appear in the All he has now are fading black Celebrate Center's Recent faded picture. Most had their shirts fathers who died in combat, old and white photos of his friends and off as they stood and crouched in the friends and fOrpler lovers, said Tom Historic Designation his days spent at Clark Field Air grass for this last celebratory photo. Aiello of Military.com. Force Base near the city of Angeles This year's Thle Lake pilgrimage, Ross Ragland Theater in downtown Now Marquette hopes this photo Since starting the VAA in 1983, in Luzon where at the age of 17, Wagner, 74, has seen the need for "Dignity and Survival in a Divided Klamath Falls. will be the key to finding out more Marquette was assigned to guard this type of service increase. Community," will examine stories of The 2006 pilgrimage will also cel• information about his long lost duty of the Japanese POWs. He "When I first started, World War Japanese American dissenters who ebrate the recent designation of the' friends. n doesn't know their names, but their vets were passing on at a rate of · said "No" to America's demand that Thle Lake Segregation Center site as' "I figure if people saw the picture they prove their loyalty. a National Historic Landmark. A acts of kindness remain with him. 1,000 a year. Ten years later the rate on the Internet maybe someone Pilgrimage activities include a dedication ceremony will be held As part of the 13th Air Corp, was 1,500 a year and now that num• would look at it and say; 'That's my tour of the Tule Lake campsite and a July 3 as part of the evening of cul• Marquette filled downtime with vis• ber has gone to over 2,000," said grandfather' or something," said memorial service at the cemetery on tural performances at the Ross its to the cities. He rode on the backs Wagner, who served in the Army Marquette. the campgrounds. A panel of Ragland Theater. from 1951-54. Any search is difficult of water buffalos like the natives Over the years, he's read stories internees will discuss their decisions "We are excited that the and costly, he added. and visited with local families. about other American veterans who to say "no" to the loyalty question• Department of Interior saw the sig• For Marquette, the dream of find• Guard duty was not too intensive got in contact and formed friend• naire and to renounce their U.S. citi• nificance of Tule Lake as the ing his friends in the picture is either. Everyone was captive on the ships with enemies they were fight• zenship. Segregation Center, and recognized exceptionally difficult because he island and caught in the intense ing at the time. A screening of "From a Silk it as a National Historic Landmark," doesn't know their names or any tropical heat and humidity. 'The war is over and life goes Cocoon," a film made by psy• said Hiroshi Shimizu, Thle Lake pil• other vital information. "Last thing in the world anyone on," he mused, wryly adding, "for chotherapist and filmmaker Satsuki grimage coordinator. "It opens the If reunited he says he would write wanted to do was to make it hard on most people anyway." Ina, who was born in the segregation door for Japanese Americans to them. anyone else," he said. Each year, many contact veteran center, is scheduled. begin talking about all those people "I'd tell them who I was and that I The POWs, as it seemed, didn't search organizations like Intergenerational discussion who dissented and those who remember them and hope they are in hold grudges either. They gave . Military.com and the Veterans groups will provide an occasion to renounced." good health. I'd say I'm sorry I did• Marquette gifts and helped the Alumni Association 01AA) to find share experiences and help heal the "It's time that we remember the n't get in touch sooner," said Americans build a fence. old war friends. wounds of the incarceration experi• Japanese Americans who protested Marquette. 'They were always friendly, smil• "We are constantly receiving ence. The cultural program of music, and resisted," said Shimizu, noting He would also give them the pic• ing and smoking cigarettes," he requests for a search," said Sgt. Tom open i as years ago, arch ture he's kept for over 60 years. the public and will be held at the said. "I was the only one I knew of Wagner, VAA founder. The associa• 1946, when Thle Lake was closed.• "It's part of my life. I keep pic• who was nice to them." tion's Web site requires free regis• tures of all of my families," he said. They also gave him artifacts as tration with a pay upgrade option for tokens of friendship: a cigarette veterans to chat online, post war sto• • here, a cigarette there and wood• ries and search for long-lost bud• Do you have any information on carvings he still cherishes. dies, these former Japanese POWs? Write "I was a kid back then and [I] Military.com had over 36 milli• Dick Marquette with any info: started collecting things from non visits in the last six months. p.o. Box Marysville, CA 95901. Japan," said Marquette. ''1 was inter- Veterans write in hoping to locate 1866,
Memorial Foundation Honors Filipino Vets The legendary World War n patri• imately 7,000 Philippine Scouts who otism of Filipino veterans of the U.S. were known as the Old Scouts. Armed Forces in the Far East When the United States entered the (USAFFE) were honored by the War, approximately 140,000 volun• National Japanese American teered and joined the American • Long Term Care Plan Memorial Foundation at its annual Armed Forces. • Customized Major Medical gala in Washington, D.C. April 6. 'The contributions to the War of Insurance (available to Representatives of the Filipino the foOf major Philippine military non-California members) veterans received the Foundation's groups - the 'old scouts,' new • Catastrophe Major Medical "Award for Patriotism." The award Philippine scouts, Guerrilla Service, Insurance Plan is conferred by the Foundation in and Commonwealth Army of the recognition of "military or other con• Philippines - were significant by • Short Term Medical Plan tributions to the nation's peace, secu• any measure," said NJAMF • Term Life Insurance rity, and welfare that exemplify the Chairman Emeritus Warren Minami. • Accidental Death & spirit of patriotism." Filipino soldiers, fighting in both Dismemberment Insurance The Honorable Avelino 1. Cruz, regular and unconventional units, • Medicare Supplement Jr., Secretary of National Defense, were a constant presence in the fight Insurance Plans Republic of the Philippines, accept• against the Empire of Japan. • Cancer Care Plan ed the award on behalf of the Thousands fell in the battle for free• For your FREE, no-obligation information kit (including costs, exclusions, limitations and terms of coverage) Philippine Scouts. As Cabinet dom. After the battle of Bataan, on any JACL-sponsored Insurance Plan, Secretary, Cruz has primary respon• many more Filipino soldiers were CALL TOll-FREE sibility over the Philippine Veterans consigned to imprisonment and tor• Administered by: Affairs Office. ture. Our hearing-impaired or MARSH 1-800-503-9230 voicEHmpaired members may Grant Ichikawa, a MIS veteran of As a result of their military Affinity Group Services call the Relay line at a service of Seabury & Smith the Philippine campaigns, said he is prowess, Filipino soldiers were OR VISIT 1-800-855-2881 "pleased to see the Filipino freedom awarded three Congressional www·iaclinsurance.com fighters recognized for their bravery Medals of Honor, 40 Distinguished and sacrifices during World War Service Crosses, and more than 200 3124046 26489 (1/06) n." All plans may vary and may not be available in all states, AG3624 Before wwn, there were approx- Silver Stars .• 315608 PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 SPORTS 7 BASEBALL IchiroReturns to Mariners an International Champion
PEORIA, Ariz.-Ichiro Suzuki lation in Seattle. The Mariners, who returned to the Seattle Mariners a have slogged through successive Kosakura Tours & Travel Presents: changed man. 9O-loss seasons, hope it is a revela• No longer is he keeping his emo• tion for them, too. Escorted Tours & Cruises for 2006 tions and expressions hidden, as if' "I won't maintain that emotional Apr. 26 Korea Highlights - Including Cheju Island plus K. Drama they were the secrets to his hitting level," Suzuki said. "I guess I'm filming sights skills and perennial All-Star and lucky we have another week left in May 11. Japan - Along the Japan Sea Gold Glove selections. spring training, and that will give June 17 Salt Lake & National Parks - Including Yellowstone, Tetons, After leading Japan to the cham• me an opportunity to recover." Mt. Rushmore pionship of the inaugural World Mariners manager Mike July 5 Alaska Cruise and Land Tour on Coral Princess Baseball Classic recently, Suzuki Hargrove has said he "hoped" July 17 Japan - Highlights of Japan rejoined his American teammates Suzuki might similarly lead his Aug. 11 Treasures of the Rhine River - a river boat cruise through Germany March 23. But his mind was clearly voice was hoarse from all the chat• team this season. But the IS-year Sept. 2 Tahiti Cruise on the "Paul Gauguin" still back with Japan. ter. veteran manager knows not to force Sept. 21 Japan - Hokkaido and Tohoku "Winning the WBC was the "I think I should have been shout• that responsibility upon his most Oct. 5 New England - Fall Foliage greatest moment in my baseball ing more in the past," he said early important and dynamic player. Oct. 16 Autumn Highlights of Japan life," Suzuki said, beginning his in the tournament. ''1 think this kind "If he's comfortable with~ that, Oct. 28 Greek Isles Cruise on the Golden Princess sixth season with the Mariners after of husky tone is pretty cool." that's great," Hargrove said. "If not, Nov. 9 Japan - Shikoku & Kyushu a 29-day delay. Immediately after Japan beat that's great, too." Dec. 1 Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs (Including Nile River Cruise "I really cannot describe the feel• Cuba to win the championship - as Suzuki, a career .332 hitter during & Jordan) ing. This was just a brief moment in the Baseball Hall of Fame collected his five seasons in Seattle and .353 Kosakura Tours and Travel . our careers, but we came together in his batting helmet for display in in nine seasons in Japan, batted .364 4415 Cowell Road, Suite 110, Concord, CA 94518 an unbelievable way." Cooperstown, N.Y. - Suzuki was with one home run and five RBIs in l ''Early Bird savings - call for brochure" 25+ Years Experience as a Financial Professional INCLUDES - flights, hotels, sightseeing & MOST MEALS. David C. Miyagawa Chee (510) 436-3100 KOKUSAI INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, INC. Certified Public Accountant or toll free 4911 Warner Ave., Suite 221, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 714/840-0455 - FAX 714/840-0457 [1006444-10] Equal Housing Lender· CA DEPT. RE#01391106 (800) 967-3575 8 VOICES!NATIONAL! COMMUNITY PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 TATEISHI utterances that insult Asians almost radio, feel they can get away with daily in one form or another. So insulting Asians. It's part of the (Continued from page 1) what is it that makes others think racism of America they can insult us and get away with Unless and until we react, and yes, • YUMI SAKUGAWA • Japanese Japanese) and how "Jap it? even over-react, others will continue cars, like most products on the mar• It has something to do with how to think they can insult us with racial MEMOIRS OF A ket, are so superior to American cars others view us, how they refuse to epithets that insult and demean us. in every way." see Asian Americans as equals, how And still others will talk about how NON-GEISHA When I informed him that the in their minds it's okay to denigrate much they admire "our" people . word "Jap" is offensive to JAs, that Japanese and AAs. It's d' complex while using the J-word to refer to us. it's a racial slur, that it's a derogato• social psychology that no one seems It's as much on our shoulders to Love You Long Time ry word and that I'd appreciate it if to be writing about. Something inform them that we're offended by he didn't use it, the look on his face about JAs not complaining, not the J-word as it is on theirs to stop in College Dating told me he was chagrined, horrified objecting, not fighting back, not using it. And it doesn't matter if by his/aux pas. being intimidating. We may not be a we're referring to those who admire ur of my single friends have a white girl, I think, 'You go boy!'" But on second thought, he said he silent minority anymore, but others, JAs or those who purposely insult Rsuddenly become half of a You go boy indeed. didn't mean to offend and that he like dim-witted shock jocks on the us. The end effect is all the same .• romantic couple in the past People wouldn't really bat an eye really didn't know it was an offen• two months, and I have no explana• if they saw my Chinese American sive word. Even worse, he didn't tion for this sudden surge in cou• roommate walking arm-in-arm with think it was ... and then the com• French Camp dACL pling activity. Perhaps they were all her Caucasian boyfriend; statistical• ment about my being overly sensi• prematurely reacting to the ushering ly speaking, we see Asian girVwhite tive. Celebrates New Year It was an interesting conversation in of the new spring season, which guy combinations all the time. But because he seemed an intelligent is commonly known for green if they saw the other three couples and socially sensitive person, and he things budding, things getting in my social circle walking down truly did seem to admire the warmer and people falling in love. the street, it's amazing! Because an Japanese. Yet he had no idea that the Coincidentally, all four of these Asian guy is dating someone who J-word is what it is to JAs. couples are of mixed race, so some• isn't Asian. I think he's not unlike a lot of times I feel like my social circle is It's a stupid double standard that Americans (maybe the majority?) hosting the United Nations conven• shouldn't exist if we really do want . who don't understand the connota• tion of interracial dating. The list of a racially harmonious society, but tion of the word. He understood romantic ethnic couplings are as fol• I'll be the first to admit that I partic• well enough that other highly - = lows: a Chinese American girl dat• ipate in it as well. I'm not just charged words are taboo, racial slurs ing a Caucasian guy; a German• happy that my Asian guy friends like the "N' word or derogatory ref• Hispanic girl dating a Korean guy; a suddenly have a girl by their side; erences used for Jews. These are girl of Native American, Caucasian secretly, I'm pleased that they're part of the American lexicon that are and Black descent dating my also breaking down stereotypes, easily recognizable as derogatory. Then why not "Jap"? What is it Chinese American friend; and a too. Every time I mention that my French Camp JACL recently celebrated its 58th Annual New Year's about this word that makes others black girl dating my Filipino Filipino Japanese guy friend has a and officer installation dinner in Stockton. Japanese American apartment mate. new girlfriend, I subconsciously think they can use it with impunity? Or that we wouldn't be offended by Bill Hinkle, Lodi JACL president, installed the following slate of new Talk about a diverse melting pot take a dramatic pause to add, "Plus, it? An abbreviation? Is it that sim• officers: President Henry lsakari, Vice President David Morinaka, (or tossed salad, if you will.) she's Black," because in the twisted ple? Treasurer Fumiko Asano, Recording Secretary Katy Komure, Imagine how attractive all their the• logic of race relations, that's an I can't imagine someone sitting Corresponding Secretary Tom Miyasaki, Historian Kimi Morinaka, oretical offspring would be. accomplishment. next to Julian Bond, NAACP chair• Delegate Alan Nishi and Alternate Delegate Dean Nishi. In an Asian American literature Why do I bother doing this? man, and using the "N' word to his The 2006 chapter scholarship was given to Brian Kaneko, an hon• class that I took two quarters ago, a Maybe it's because somehow being face. Or sitting next to my friend. ors student at Weston Ranch High School in South Stockton .• discussion on the romantic dynam• friends with Asian men who can Ernie Weiner and calling him that ics between a Chinese American date non-Asian girls is supposed to other, awful word. Frankly, I'd be man and a younger Hapa woman in be a universal shout -out to all the more afraid of Ernie than Julian. At a novel excerpt culminated into a Asian brothers in the world to not almost 80 years old, the 20-year-old heated debate on the touchy double lose hope, keep your head high boxer he used to be probably still Blue Cross of California standards that exist within AAs dat• above the mass media's emascula• lives just below the surface, but the ing outside of their own race. tion of your kind because darnnit, lashing wouldn't be physical. It It was probably one of the few one day this country will wake up would be so verbally eloquent that it times the entire class got so highly from their ignorance and realize would be stunning. Float like a but• engaged in a collective dialogue, how sexy and manly you all are! terfly, sting like a bee? You get the probably because it is such a person• It's all very hypocritical, of point. al topic that treads very perilously course, not to mention extremely Why are we even talking about on the un-P.e. side of things. At one condescending. It's not like any of something we shouldn't even have to think about, something that's old point, one Asian guy sitting in the my Asian friends, male or female, and tired? There was a time after the very back row retorted that he choose to be spokespersons of their war (yes, that war) when we were couldn't care less about the White respective ethnic communities in ghettoized because no one would guys who went for Asian girls the people that they choose to date. have us or allow us to live among because "they usually go for the But even so, it's hard to reconcile them. We, as kids, used to jokingly ones that aren't that good-looking, the gap between the macrocosmic use the J-word with each other, but anyway." Ouch. big picture of race relations and if anyone else used words like "Jap" Perhaps one of the messy ambi• societal prejudice, and the intimate or "Nip" to taunt us, that was a chal• guities that exist in interracial dating microcosmic universe of the chem• lenge to fight and an imperative for can be best summed up in one state• istry that makes two individuals fall us to defend ourselves. ment made by a Korean American in love with each other. But these are different times. female student in the class: ''Every I can go on and on about this and We've gone through the Civil time I see an Asian girl dating a obviously, I have no real answers. Rights Movement, and there's a white guy, I get kind of annoyed. But I do know one thing for sure: greater sensitivity to diversity in this But when I see an Asian guy dating God, I am so sick of being single .• society. And yet we continue to hear L1 KE GRANDPA, 1 PUT UP HIS OLD INCOME-TAX-TIME Since 1947 the JACL HEALTH SIGN. NOW I'M CHECKING Ii f)A -file. f)esu TRUST has offered Health Care ON THEIR MEANING. v (7AMAN coverage to JACL members V SR11 Oa-me r/estJ = NO GOOD Galniin = SUPER PAilENCt: ShiktJta nai:: NOlHING CAN ABOUT" fT. ENfERTAINMENr 9 The Tatsuno Family (left) in Topaz and Sheridan Tatsuno (be/ow). By LYNDA LIN Assistant Editor Dave Tatsuno's Moving Pictures "When I see the movie, I see my version of 'Gone But Dave didn't just film his own family; he would with the Wind, '" said Sheridan Tatsuno, 56, about his record the expansion of neighborhoods and families. father who died Jan. 26 at the age of 92. "His film was When someone passed away, he would spend hours edit• his JA version of 'Gone with the Wind' with a personal ing together footage of that person into a cohesive, per• story of war and depression . , . but it's lined with a sweet sonal documentary as a gift to the bereaved family. sense of humor." "He was a historian, so everything had to be docu• In 1996, the home videos officially became historical. mented. He kept a diary of his life since 1926 without That year, "View from Topaz" became one of only missing a day," said Sheridan. "He also believed in good two documentaries to be added into the National Film deeds. He always said, 'Service to the community is Registry of the Library of Congress. The other was everything. ", the human drama unfolding in the foreground is reminiscent of another Abraham Zapruder's footage of President John F. American film with a wartime theme. There are scenes of burgeoning Kennedy's assassination. Dave's reaction, according to Making the Best of the Worst romance, dashing heroes in fedoras and unquiet whispers of, "Let this never his son, was a mixture of humility and pride. Keeping the camera rolling at Topaz was also a means happen again. " Drop a fist pumping Scarlett O'Hara in:to a frame of Dave "He said 'Zapruder was lucky. He happened to be at to cheer up the despondent. For the camera, people lined Tatsuno's "A View from Topaz" and you have an almost seamless journey. the right place at the right time to point a camera.' My up and invariably smiled against the bite of the win~ and Except in Dave's fIlm: the epic tragedy is real. dad had to sneak in a camera and secretly film for two sand. Dave intennixed austere shots of the Topaz guard For nearly three years during World War II, Dave secretly recorded the and one-half years," said Sheridan. towers and barbwire with spirited declarations of where daily lives of Japanese Americans living in Utah's internment camp and col• The same year, a soundtrack with Dave's narration at the time to find a good burger for under $1. lected over 10,000 feet of film to weave into a dramatic documentary. In one was included, In each frame, he easily names all of the "He was a Christian," said Sheridan, who is now surreal moment, there is even a glimpse of Dave himself showing off the faces and adds precise details about their lives after based in Santa Cruz, Calif. "He wanted to become a shoebox used to conceal the Super 8 camera. camp. He could tell you everything about everyone he minister so he took a lot in stride. He had a sign in his ever met, according to loved ones. office that read, 'Tis better to light a candle than curse the dark.' The Man Behind the Camera ." He knew from day one that capturing images of PACIFIC CITIZEN The historian continues to be remembered at screen• Topaz would be important," he said. "He wanted to doc• National business and Professional Directory ings - most recently last month at the San Francisco ument everything because he said life is ephemeral. He Asian American Film Festival, an unofficial homecom• said a lot of these people would all be gone some day." Your business card in each issue for 22 issues is $15 per line, three-line minimum. Larger type (12 pt.) counts ing for the city's native son. There was a lot of darkness in the Tatsuno household. as two lines. Logo same as line rate as required. P.C. has made no determination that the businesses listed in this directory are licensed by proper government authority. "I'd sit down with him and ask 'What did you do on The family lost son Sheldon, seen playing in the snow in February 4, 1947?' He would say he talked to this per• the film, in 1947 from complications of a tonsillectomy. Sacratnento,~it. Oakland, Calif. son about this ... I would say, 'Are you kidding?''' said Sheridan was named after their ftrst son, but the empti• Sheridan. . NAMBA LAW OFFICES ness was never filled. IiITAZAWA SEED CO. Dave fell in love with film in 1936 after seeing footage "My dad dedicated his life to building a living'memo• Curtis R. Namba SINCE 1917 of himself and a friend walking through their University rial for Sheldon," said Sheridan, who also lost his moth• Personal Injury The ASian Vegetable Seed Source for of California, Berkeley campus. The friend later passed er Alice and wife two years ago. Gardeners, Retailers, Growers Small Business . away, but lived on in those seconds of film. Dave saved Now Sheridan, also a filmmaker and screenwriter, [email protected] Request a Catalog a semester's worth of tuition to buy a camera and began keeps his father's memory and work alive by attending (916) 922-6300 P.o. Box 13220 Oakland, CA 94661-3220 ph: 510/595-1188 Ix: 510/595-1860 his lifelong visual journey. screenings of "A View from Topaz," which was donated [email protected] kitazawaseed.com . Greater Los Angeles "Whenever. we had people over, he would always to the Japanese American National Museum. Phoenix, AriZ. have his nose in the camera. People would say, 'That Many Sansei fought to break their parents' barriers of Dr. Darlyne Fujimoto, Dave Tatsuno, he has three eyes,'" said Sheridan. silence when it came to talking about camp days, but Optometrist & Associates A Professional Corporation Kaoru Ono . ''My dad edited the [home movies] himself. He got a Dave made sure all his children knew everything. 11420 E. South St, Cerritos, CA 90703 I""'~~·~; I ' c ~ 11 splicer in the 1960s and started editing footage for home "Even though I was never in camp, I've seen [the (562) 860·1339 l' ut i • screenings. We had a lot of screenings at home. People home movies] so many times, heard so many stories 'f'.XJTQ RFA,1,.TY would come over and [the kids] would go 'Uh oh. Here over and over again ... it's like I was there," said Dir: (623) 521-5800 Howard Igasaki, I).D.S., Inc. he comes.'" Sheridan.• Alan Igasaki, D.D.S. Fx:(623) 877-2225 Implants! General! Periodontics [email protected] 22850 Crenshaw Blvd., Ste. 102 2400 W. Dunlap Ave" Suite 100 SECRET ASIAN MAN By Tak Torrance, CA 90505 Phoenix, AZ 85021 (310) 534-8282 Seattle, Wash. Cambridge Dental Care Scott Nishizaka D.D.S. Family Dentistry & Orthodontics UWAJIMAYA 900·E. Katella, Suite A ...Alw~odtQste. Orange, CA 92867 • (714) 538-2811 www.cambridgedentalcare.com LAW OFFICES OF SEI SHIMOGUCHI General Civil Practice \~I Estate Planning, Personal Injury So. Cal. (310) 862-4024 a No. Cal. (415) 462-0428 [email protected] For the Best of Everything Asian DAVID W. EGAWA, Lawyer Fresh Produce, Meat, Seafood and Groceries hnrnigration, Criminal A vast selection of & Regulatory Law Gift Ware 30 N. Raymond Ave, Suite #409, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 792-8417 Seattle, WA· (206) 624-6248 6003 Seashore Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 646-2138 Bellevue, WA· (425) 747-9012 c: (949) 903-4142 Beaverton, OR • (503) 643·4512 --. 10· CALENDAR PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 (562) 598-9523 ~ Established 1965 ~ Calendar Imperial Jewelry Mfg. Co. National FlOe Jewelry· Custom Designing· Repair CHANDLER, Ariz. 11072 Los Alamitos Blvd. June 21-24-JACL National ( Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Convention. Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. Wo: www.azjacl.org. SAN FRANCISCO Mon., Oct 2-3rd Annual National IS JACL Golf Tournament, "Swing for Justice"'; Harding Park Golf Course, 99 Harding Road; $200 before July 1 and DIS(H~ VACATION SPECIAL $250 after; sponsorships are available; , Golf Catalina field is limited to 144 spots; committee Sunday Worship Services: . is also looking for golf stories from Vacation Special Rio Hondo College camp, email to Mas Hashimoto at 1 bed/1 bath, fully equipped [email protected]. Info: Patty 3600 Workman Mill Rd. condo, sleeps 4, pool, jacuzzi, Wada, NCWNP JACLRegional Office, Whittier, CA 90601 415/345-1075. Good Friday Service, Apr. 14, 8 pm includes free use of golf cart. Condo near beautiful Catalina Easter Services: 6 am, 8 am & 11 am PJldwest golf course. JACL discount $160 CINCINNATI Church Office: per night. 2 night minimum stay. Sat., April 29-0hanarni, Cherry Phone: 626.527.3966 C-51 Matsumoto ~ Blossom Viewing Party, Japanese Email: infooebcsgv.org FOR RESERVATIONS: Bazaar and Bake Sale; 9 a.m.-l p.rn.; Website: www.evergreensgv.org Hunt & Associates Hyde park, Bethlehem Church, 3799 Senior Pastor: Cory Ishida Hyde Park Ave.; sponsored by Mr. Hunt 310-510-2721 Cincinnati JACL. GRANADA, Colorado Sat., May 20-Amache Spring Pilgrimage; 11 a.m. arrival at Amache Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center's 'Kimono: Tradition in the Modern Ages' AllelUia! He is RIsen! camp site and ceremony, noon Granada examines the traditional garb from past to present. Kimonos like the one High School and program, .1:30 p.m. Amache museum tour; potluck with above designed by Marilyn Sholian will be on display April 1-June 10. Please join us this Easter at the refreshments provided by Friends of Marvknoll JAPANESE CAlHOUC CENTER Amache; $20/person. Wo: Jim Hada, www.sherrnanleeinstitute.org. asp?page+812. 3031237-2159. RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA ST. fRANCIS XAVIER. CAlHOLle CHURCH Southern Calforria Sun., May 7-1st Annual JACL PSW 222 S. Hewitt Street • Los Angeles, CA 90012 lnterl11OU1tcin CALABASAS Golf Tournament; noon shotgun start; DELTA,Utah (213) 626-2279 www.jaQanesecatiloliccenter.com Sun., May 7-Hawaiian Feather Lei Tijeras Creek Golf Course; $95/person Mon.-Fri., June 12-16-Training class Making; 2-3:30 p.m.; Soka University, or $380/foursome; sponsorships still Easter Sunday Masses: 8:30 ft.N. (Bifingual) & 10 AM (English) for teachers, "Specialized History: 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy.; serves as a available. Wo: Kerry Kaneichi, kkane• and the Internment of Japanese wwn prerequisite for three workshops on July [email protected], PSW Office, 213/626- Americans; 8-5 p.m.; Millard District 2, 9, 16; free and open to the public. 4471 or www.jaclpsw.orglgolf.htrn. Office, 285 E. 450 N; $250 (shared Reservations and info: 8 L8/878-3741 or WEST COVINA lodging) due at registration; registration [email protected]. Sat.; May 6-2006 Cherry Blossom . form available at St. Mary's Episcopal Church LOS ANGELES Festival; noon-7 p.m.; West Covina www.usoe.kI2.ut.us/curr/soc.st/proCde Sun., April 9-6th Annual U.S. Sumo Civic Center Courtyard, 1444 W. 961 S. Mariposa Avenue, Los Angeles (213) 387-1334 v/workshops.html; registration deadline Open; 12:30 p.m.; Los Angeles Garvey Ave.; free parking. is May 15; includes a field trip to Topaz. Convention Center; over 40 of the Please join us for Holy Week and Easter services: Info: Robert Austin, 801/538-7708, world's best Sumo WrestlerS from the Arizona [email protected] or U.S., Japan, Mongolia, Bulgaria, PHOENIX April 13, Maundy Thursday service, at 7:00 p.m. Join us for holy Elaine Jones, 801/538-7977, Norway, Germany and more compete. Sun., April30-Sara Hutchings Clardy eucharist, with a foot washing observance and stripping of the altar. [email protected]. Tickets: 310/617-3343. Info: Scholarship Luncheon; I p.m.; Phoenix PaciilC Northwest www.usasumo.com. College Culinary Cafe; $25 for three• April 14, Good Friday service at 1:00 p.m. Holy eucharist from the PORTL Sat., April22-Orange County Sansei course luncheon. Info: Marilyn Inoshita reserved sacrament. Stations of the Cross. Singles Dinner Dance featuring Cold Tang, 602/861-2638 or Michele Namba, April 9-June 10-Exhibit, Kimono: Tofu; 5:30-11:30 p.m.; New Otani 623/572-9913. April 16, Easter Sunday - 6:00 a.m. Easter Vigil service, followed by Tradition in the Modern Age; Tues, -~at. Hotel, 120 S. Los Angeles St.; breakfast served by our Young Adults from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. (dona• 11-3 p.m., Sun. 12-3 p.rn., April 9 1-3 $45/members, $50/non-members if Hawai p.m.; Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, h0ns to support the Mission Share Fund), with live jazz band paid by April LO; RSVP by April 17. HONOLULU 121 NW 2nd Ave.; featuring discussion accompaniment. 9:45 a.m. Festival Easter Service. Spanish lan• Info: Penni, 3101210-4402 or Stan Through May S-Exhibit, "Mo'ili'ili of kimono design, past and present, guage service at 11:45 a.m. Masumoto, [email protected]. - The Life of a Community; 2-4 kimono demonstrations and reception Sat., April 22-A Community p.m.; Japanese Cultural Center of with refreshments; $3 admission fee, For"further information or directions, please'call the church at Celebration of Yuji Ichioka: His New Hawai'i Community Gallery; 2454 S. free to ONLC members. Info: Katrina (213) 387-1334. God's peace and blessing to each of you. Book and His Legacy; 10-2:30 p.m.; Beretania St.; the exhibit tells the his• Gilkey, 5031224-1458. tory of this O'ahu community and Senshin Buddhist Temple, 1311 W. 37th The Rev. H. Alix Evans; Rector St.; Yuji Ichioka was a pioneer in devel• rekindles long-forgotten stories Northern Calforria through photographs and memorabil• The Rev. Nicole Janelle, Assistant Rector PALO ALTO oping the fields of Japanese American ia; free; gallery hours are Tues.-Sat. The Rev. Canon Richard Van Horn, Assisting Priest . Sat., April 22-Health Care Forum; 1- and Asian American studies through his 10-4 p.m.; book cost is $26.95. Info: The Rev. Jimmy H. Shiode, Deacon Assisting 4 p.m.; Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Issei historical writings, teaching, archival JCCH,808/945-7633. hall, 2751 Louis Rd.; free; sponsored by collecting, and social activism; the Sun., April 30-Kodomo No Hi: Sequoia JACL and the Buddhist event will celebrate the release of his Keiki Fun Fest; 10-3 p.m.; JCCH Women's Association and Aldersgate new book, "Before Internment: Essays Teruya Courtyard and the Fifth Floor; United Methodist Women. Wo: Terrie in Prewar Japanese American History, Nisei Cadet Nurse of World War II: free; commemorates the modem Masuda, 650/917-7969, Ruth Ishizaki, which will be available at a discounted Japanese holiday of Children's Day; 650/9674885 and Misao Sakamoto, price; free lunch to the first 150 to pre- Patriotism in Spite of Prejudice fun games, kimono dressing, cultural 650/493-5508. . ,register to [email protected] or make-n-take activities, children's By Thelma Robinson SACRAMENTO 310/825-2974; sponsored by the UCLA entertainment and a fun variety of Sat., April 8-LectUre, "Japanese Asian American Studies Center. foods. Wo: JCCH, 808/945-7633. Design Accents for Your Home and Sat., April 29-37th Annual Manumar From Japanese• Wardrobe; 10 a.m.; Parkview' Pilgrimage and Manzanar at Dusk; American Internment Manzanar Historic Site, Highway 395; Nevada Presbyterian Church, · 727 T St.; $5 LAS VEGAS 11 a.m. interfaith service, noon Camps to the U.S. donation; trunk show and sale of decora• Oct. 17-19-Manzanar High School "Footsteps in the Hallway", 8 p.m. Cadet Nurse Corps. tive pieces will follow between ,11-3 Reunion; California Hotel; Tues. Manzanar at Dusk, "Camp Dance" p.rn. Info: 916/427-2841. Welcome Mixer 6:30 p.rn. in the Ohana short version; $25/bus seat. Wo or bus SAN FRANCISCO Room; Wed. slot tournament and buffet This is the story of transportation, 818/894-7723. April 15-16, 22-23-Kimochi Creative dinner and program. Wo and applica• Nisei cadet nurses - MONTEREY PARK Wellness Exhibit; 11-6 p.rn.; 2nd Floor, tions: Henry Nakano, 714/871-8179, of their experiences in Sat.-Sun., April 22-23-Monterey Miyako Mall in the former Umeko Siun Ono, 310(327-5568, Cabby , wretched camps, of Park Cherry Blossom Festival; 11-6 Restaurant site; the Creative Wellness Iwasaki, 714/637-1412, Shig people who risked p.m.; Bames Park, 350 S. McPherrin Program provides classes in arts and Kuwahara, 626/289-7892 or Victor public scorn to support Ave. Wo: Dan Costley, 626/307-2541 crafts, ceramics, calligraphy, singing, Muraoka, 81813684113 . • Japanese Americans, of dance and gentle exercise. Wo: or ci.monterey-park.ca.us!homelindex. prejudicial difficulties Kimochi, Inc., 415/931-2294 or in entering nursing [email protected]. schools, and of a SAN JOSE ' government that . Sun., April 30-29th Annual Nikkei Matsuri; 9:30-4 p.m.; Japantown, reversed its policy Jackson St. between 4th and 6th Streets; against a people of featuring Japanese American foods, arts Japanese descent. and crafts, performing arts on two stages and cultural displays; free; Info: www.cadetnurse.com www.nikkeimatsuri.org, 408/241~0900. ------ORDER FORM: $22.50 + $3.00 slh Central Calforria NAME: ______HANFORD Through July 29---Surface, Line and ~------Color: The Spirit of Design in Japanese ADDRESS: ______Art; The Ruth and Sherman Lee CITY: ______STATE: _____ ZIP: ______Institute for Japanese Art, 15770 Tenth Ave.; guest curated by Midori Oka, Museum Educator,. Peabody Essex Mail to: Black Swan Mill Press, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Suite E4, Museum. Info: 559/582-4915 or PMB 534, Boulder, CO 80302 Ik & , , • l' •• , "., ~ PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 OBITUARIES 11 DEATH NonCE IN MEMORIAM Th~oomp~oon~mooas~~ MISUOJOHN available basis at no cost. Printed obitu• Three War Veteran Spady Koyama Dies FUJIKAWA aries from your newspaper are wel• Passed away Mar. 27. Beloved come. "Death Notices," which appear in By ASSOCIATED PRESS the enemy." encouraged him to enlist. husband of Miyoko, father of a timely manner at request of the fami• A member of the "Yankee "She said, 'You know, no matter Bruce, Mark (Georgia), Kirk ly or funeral director, are published at the rate of $18 per column inch. Text is SPOKANE, Wash.-Spady A. Samurai," U.S. soldiers of Japanese what anyone says to you, this is your (Karen) and Scott (Betty) Fujikawa; granfather of eight; reworded as necessary. Koyama, who served in three wars descent in WWII, Koyama went on country. You should be fighting for daughter-in-law, Linda Fujikawa; after overcoming prejudice against to serve in Korea and Vietnam your country,'" Koyama said in an brother of Mary (George) Nakatsu Japanese Americans in World War before retiring as an Anny colonel. interview last summer. and Aster (Mits) Ikezoye; and IT, has died of a He earned a Bronze Star and Purple He· was finally allowed to enlist many other relatives. A celebration of Life was held April 1 with heart attack. Heart during WWII. because the Anny learned that he Kubota Nikkei Mortuary assisting Koyama, He was born in Ferry County of wrote and spoke Japanese fluently. with the arrangements. who died Japan-born parents in 1917. He went into Anny intelligence DEATH NOnCE March 18 at Koyama's father died when he and was sent to the Pacific theater, the age of 88, was 5, and he was sent to Japan to where he interrogated Japanese pris• HIROSHI "GARY" Avoid the Terri Schiavo Mess walked into live with relatives for six years. He oners in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's YASUTAKE Download an Advance Health Care Directive Spokane's then came back to the United States, headquarters. CHICAGO-Hiroshi "Gary" Free of Charge on legalbridge.com Selective Service office in January where he lived in Spokane and In 1947, the Pentagon asked him Yasutake, 84, passed away Mar. 15. He was predeceased by his 1942 and was told: "Go home. attended Lewis and Clark High to go back on active service. He wife Akiko Saito Yasutake and his Thomas N. Sh1gckuIll and Assoc:ates We're at war, you know.'" School, graduating in 1937. worked in intelligence for most of brother Yutaka Yasutake. Hiroshi AttllrnC) sat Ll\\ 1310) :;"0-9266 He was told that he "looked like After Pearl Harbor, his mother his career and retired as a colonel in is survived by daughters, Kristine Yasutake, Karen Yasutake 1970 . • Darlington and Kerry Yasutake; son, Kim Yasutake. Also survived Park, Feb. 16; survived by son, by brother, Tom (Nancy) Yasutake: In Memoriam - 2006 Sachio (Hiroko); daughter, Mikiye sister, Mary (Herbert "Kiki") All the towns are In California except as noted. (Tsutomu) Kiyota; 3 gc.; and 3 ggc. Taketoshi; and Aki's sister Naoko "Nani" (Kenneth) Yahiro. Also Funatake, George, 79, Buena band, Masanori; daughters, Ardis, Yamada, Roy Minoru, 85; survived by two grandchildren, WWII veteran, 442nd, RCT, F Park; WWII veteran; survived by Elaine and Karen (Derrick) Shiba; three son-in-laws, one daugher-in• F.D.L.#929 Co.; survived by wife, Haruye; law, and eight nephews and nieces. sons, Paul, Chuck and John; daugh- brother, Masao Dobashi; sisters, 911 VENICE BLVD. ters, Nancy and Sandra; 6 gc.; broth- lkuye Dendo and May (Bill) son, Dr. Alan (Dr. Holly); daugh• A Memorial Service will be held at LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 ter, Lynn (Martin) Otsu; 5 gc.; the First Unitarian Church of er, Tai; and sisters, Midori and Inouye; sisters-in-law, Chizuyo Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., (213) 749-1449 Tomiko. Dobashi, Sachiye Tanimoto, brother-in-law, Ted Saisho; and FAX (213) 749-0265 Chicago, on Sat., April 15 at 1:00 R. Hayamizu, President Mano, Michi Morio, 91, Salt Toshiye Mukai, Ikuye Nishikawa sister-in-law, Masako (George) pm. Family requests that flowers, H. Suzuki, y'P'/Gen. Mgr. Lake City, Mar. 24; survived by and Emiko (David) Reed. Ishikawa. donations, or Koden be omitted; your friendship throughout the sons, Ken (Carolyn), Ron (Cheryl) Sakamoto, Gene Noboru, 57, Yamamoto, Stanley Haruo, 86, years has been an enduring gift, and Dick (Linda); daughters, Irene Temple City, Feb. 3; survived by Mission Hills, Jan. 30; survived by and our family extends our heart• (Floyd) Mori and Sharon (Wally) sister, Lily (Mas) Hamasu; and son, Dennis (Christine); daughters, felt thanks for your kindness. We Haraguchi; 28 gc.; 27 ggc.; brother, brother, Paul (Gail). Judith (Tony) Doherty and Bette will take care of making a gift in Tang; 3 gc.; 2 ggc.; sister, Gwen his name to a Japanese charitable Noboru (Mary) Morio; and sister, Shimakawa, Norman, 82, organization. Sachie Kano. Stockton, Feb. 24; WWII veteran; (Hideo) Kondo; brothers-in-law, Nagai, Masaaki, 85, San Mateo, survived by wife, Mieko; daughters, John (Sandie), Katsuji (Mae) wife, Norma; sons, Paul (Hadeel) Nov. 24; WWII veteran, MIS; sur- Joan, Ellen, Ann (Dwight) ' Hazama and George (Yo) Hazama; and Michael (Margarita); daugh- 707 East Temple Street Gerald Fukui vived by wife, lkuko; and son Nishimura and Karen; 2 gc.; broth- and sisters-in-la\Y, Miyo Yamamoto !er, Susan (Erik) Koporaal; 6 gc.; Los Angeles, CA 90012 President Frederick (Miranda). er, George; and sisters, Naomi and and Emi Hazama. and brother, Yoshihito (Junko). Ph. 2131626-0441 Nishikawa, Chizu, 80, Los Kimi. Yonezawa, Rikimatsu, 72, Yuge, Toshikazu Hugh, 61, Jan. Fax 2131617-2781 Angeles, Feb. 2; survived by hus- Shiroishi, Masaki, 94, Monterey Norwalk, Feb. 4; survived by 12; survived by 2 brothers .• __~~~~~~~~~~~ ... Start avingNow! have full access to a " ;I,',.i? "ff' .. /~f''C\' r.tgitge loan o§raJns with J{ Let us h rp '¢ ~ou saVi ' oney and equity through homeownership. + Need to consolidate your debt? +.Re modeling? , ~ ; eeking to refinance? Gordon Yamagata - National JACL ~ f:J Mortgage Consultant ,(800) / l ~ 88-2 , M-E'8!30AM - ; ,,\#,w 12 NATIONAL NEWS PACIFIC CITIZEN, APR. 7-20, 2006 DUCKWORTH United Nations, her days were filled '] want to be there when we next vote to go to war ... ] want to keep the people of Illinois' 6th with cultural activities of dance and (Continued from page 1) be responsible and] want to make sure we have a plan. ' Congressional District up at night. cooking. But the self-proclaimed - Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Congress hopeful. And, if elected, she'll be an effective Duckworth, has a long history of tomboy always had more worldly advocate for Asian Americans, vet• service to the country dating back to aspirations: she dreamt of becoming erans and persons with disabilities," the Revolutionary War. Her mother, a U.S. ambassador. said Durbin. Lamai Sompornpairinis, is first gen• Military service, however, was in Until the November general elec• eration. her blood. Duckworth joined the tions, Duckworth will be active on "I have the incredible luck of Reserve Officers' Training Corps the campaign trail in hopes of being a daughter of a son of the (ROTC) where she met her husband become a groundbreaking APA Revolutionary War and also the Army National Guard Capt. Bryan leader. To inspire her joumey, she daughter of a new immigrant." Bowlsbey. Soon she was flying thinks about the courage of the Nisei With her record of bravery, lead• Blackhawk helicopters through war and the 442nd Regimental Combat ership and education - she has a tom Iraq. Team to give her strength. Masters degree in International On Nov. 12, 2004, Duckworth "I want to be there when we next Affairs from George Washington was piloting a mission when a rock• vote to go to war," she said. "I want University and a doctorate in et-propelled grenade exploded at her to be responsible and I want to make progress - Duckworth has won the feet. At Walter Reed Army Medical sure we have a plan." • support of Democratic leaders like Center, she woke up from a 10-day Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. coma without her legs. Her right Rep. Mike Honda. She entered the side was so severely injured only Talking Tough Issues the first to say the war was a mis• race three months ago and pulled two-inches of leg was left after Away from the war fields she dis• take. out a victory against fellow amputation. Suddenly Duckworth covered new battles to wage and at "We need to be more aggressive Democrats Christine Cegelis and inherited a new identity: disabled the top of the list of program's to fix: in training the Iraqi forces. We need Lindy Scott. veteran. the nation's flagging healthcare sys• to pull out gradually and leave the "Tammy Duckworth is one of the ''Everybody has their moments. tem and Medicare Part D. Iraqi police forces to govern them• most inspiring people I've ever had Sometimes I get tired of my body "We need to catch and take care selves," said Duckworth. the fortune to meet," said Durbin in not being as strong as it was: of the vulnerable. She is also sounding off about the an e-mail to the Pacific Citizen. Sometimes I just want to get up and ''I definitely have the resources to hot-button topic of illegal immigra• ''When I first met her, she was just walk to the kitchen to get a drink, overcome my disabilities," she said. tion and the Sensenbrenner-King beginning to recover from her war but I can't. Instead I have to drag ''I've got the very best health care Bill, which in recent weeks has wounds and was adamant that she myself off the couch, get into my and I'm walking today because of excited mass protests across the would be back in the pilot seat soon. chair ... I can't balance a cup on my prostheses. If instead I had gotten nation. She calls the bill, which That's the sort of determination that lap because I have one knee. It's a into a car accident, my husband and would criminalize all undocument• makes Tammy a strong candidate big effort." I would be bankrupt even though ed workers and their employers, for Congress." But her spirit remains we had good civilian health insur• "punitive and unrealistic." indomitable. ance. "My mother is a new immigrant Perspectives in New Identities "I could've died," she stretches 'The fact that I am walking on and nobody comes to this country to "I spoke only Thai until I was out the vowels. ''Frankly, I'm dam prostheses is very remarkable. I go be prosecuted. They don't come eight years old ... I consider myself lucky. At the end of the day, yeah, to Walter Reed every six to eight work menial jobs because it's a hoot "thave a proud American, but my cravings my legs are gone, but there are triple weeks and I think I will continue for ... they do it for their families and to [lt1lraq] usually call for Asian food," amputees out there." . the rest of my life because I have achieve the American dream," said J tell them they Duckworth said with a laugh. "I'd While recuperating, Duckworth such an active lifestyle." Duckworth who favors the McCain• voice than be perfectly happy with rice, shoyu was presented with an Air Medal, an Duckworth is one of the nine' Kennedy Bill's plan of establishing rights." [and] pickled cucumbers." Army Commendation Medal and a Iraqi war veterans running for a multi-step path for undocumented www.duckworth- Growing up in Southeast Asia Purple Heart. She was promoted to Congress. She's proud of her service workers to become citizens. where her father worked with the major Dec. 21. and her comrades, but she will be "She understands the issues that ... . Don't 'th Dealer Rates! Get truckin' at 5.25%APR lOOo/c> Financing on New' Cars 1 0% Financing on Used (~ars National JACL Credit Union (800) 544-8828