JUNE 2020 NO. 6/2020

HONOR OUR VETERANS ONLINE ON MEMORIAL DAY

CLUBHOUSE AND OFFICE CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 30

Out of concern for the health and safety of our members, staff and visitors, the Clubhouse and Office will With so many Memorial Day services being cancelled across the remain CLOSED until country, the Northern Western Nevada Pacific District Tuesday, June 30. Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the 100th Infantry All 100th events and Battalion Veterans invite you to honor the veterans of Foreign Wars meetings previously at the first Nisei Veterans Virtual Memorial Day Service on Monday, scheduled for June, including May 25 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am Hawaii Time. The event is free and the 78th Anniversary Banquet, have been open to the public but you must register to at https://us02web.zoom.us/ postponed or cancelled. webinar/register/WN_XvjMFa2aSa6G3P2CpqNk7g to participate. For any matters that The first hour will be a Memorial Ceremony and will include cannot wait until we re-open , hopefully in July, please messages from former Mayor of Bruyeres YVES BONJEAN and MIS email both Office Assistant veteran DR. SHINYE GIMA who is the President of the MIS Veterans ALEX TAKASHY at Club in Hawaii. The Keynote Speaker will be MARIELLE [email protected] TsUKAMOTO of Sacramento, CA who will share her experiences abut AND President ANN her trip to Bruyeres. KABASAWA at [email protected] The second hour will be an Educational Program featuring several presentations about the Japanese American World War II veterans and Continued on page 2 HONOR VETERANS PRESIDENT’S MONTHLY MONKU by Ann Kabasawa Continued from page 1 As May comes to an end, I hope that everyone in the 100th family is is being hosted by yours truly, coping well. Although I thought that we would be able to open up the PPP Editor JAYNE HIRATA. Clubhouse and Office soon, we have decided to stay closed until June 30 As this issue goes to press, there for the safety of everyone. If you need to get in touch with us, please will be presentations by PAMELA continue to email both Office Manager ALEX TAKASHY at YOUNG on her documentary [email protected] AND me at [email protected]. I do “Back to Bruyeres”, HIDENORI pick up the Clubhouse mail once a week so feel free to send a letter or KODA on the B Co., 100th/442nd postcard. Thank you for your continued understanding. Re-Enactors from Maizuru, Kyoto, If you’ve driven past the Clubhouse, you’ve noticed that the Rifle Chapter President KEITH replacement of the railings at our apartment building is still ongoing. HORIKAWA on the 100th/442nd Treasurer BEVERLY SHIROMA, JAYNE HIRATA and I met with USAR and DC KAZE JONES on our new Property Manager, JOHN COVINGTON of Newmark Grubb his Go For Broke music video to discuss how to improve the building and apartments to increase our which includes photographs of rental income. Here’s a photo of John and I maintaining social distance. many 100th veteran and stars TOKUJI “TOKE” YOSHIHASHI of Able Company. The Educational Program will also include a message from the Go For Broke National Education Center, video from JN Production’s recent documentary “Dream Big! A Postwar Success Story: The Nisei Soldiers of WWII””, and closing reflections by 442nd veteran YOSHIO “YOSH” NAKAMURA. For more information on the Nisei Veterans Virtual Memorial Day Service, please visit the JACL Northern California Western The Club has been invited by ERIN AOYAMA (who many of you Nevada Pacific District’s or San may remember from her visit to Hawaii as part of the duo No-No Boy) to Jose JACL’s Facebook page or the participate in TADAIMA! A Community Virtual Pilgrimage which will 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans take place from June 13 to August 16. We are planning to create a virtual aka Club 100 “unofficial” tour of sites relating to the 100th on ‘Oahu as our segment. More info on Facebook page that I operate. You TADAIMA! can be found at www.jampilgrimages.com/ may also email me at [email protected]. As there will be no service at Punchbowl Cemetery this year, please The JACL wanted to have a sign up for the Nisei Veterans Virtual Memorial Day Service held online Hawaii presence at this event and on Monday, May 25 from 8 am to 10 am Hawaii Time. The Club is it seems that has been achieved by sponsoring the second hour but there will be many familiar faces in both the many Hawaii-based speakers. the Ceremony and Educational Program. Please contact Jayne if you have I do hope that many in the 100th questions or need more information. ‘ohana will also join us because I Clyde and I travel to Little Tokyo almost every year to attend the Go need all the support I can get! For Broke Monument Ceremony but this year, we’ll be staying home and Although I am at the podium often watching GFBNEC’s virtual Monument Celebration on Saturday, June 6 at the Clubhouse, this is the first from 9 am Hawaii Time. There will also be a virtual Pre-Show starting at time I’ve ever been the ”hostesss 8:45 am HST featuring “Honor a Veteran” digital tributes. Learn more with the mostess” at an online here: http://www.goforbroke.org/news/annual_events/ event so I am really nervous! monumentanniversary/index.php DA MAINLAND CHAPTER NEWS tourists ’ issue may change that. by David Watanabe Hope everyone is doing as good as can be under

Life in the Los Angeles area and the circumstances. It was great to the rest of the world has turned receive this news today after upside down since March when the wondering how DON SEKI was severity of this virus hit home. I felt doing. It seems the last I heard was like I was in a disaster movie with he was not doing well and in bed at the world coming to an end with no the Veterans’ nursing care savior in sight. All plans had to be facility. The last time I saw Don changed, postponed, or cancelled. and his daughter, TRACEY We had expected a family of five MATSUYAMA, was in November from Japan to stay with us in mid- at a memorial servicend Don’s March for two weeks but with the absence from our Xmas and growing pandemic the trip was Valentine’s Day parties was an cancelled. The silver lining of this indication Don was in bad shape as was we had, in preparation for our he doesn’t miss many opportunities guests, bought a lot of food and the to eat! all important toilet paper so we were These photos show Don and his well positioned for the lockdown wife, SUMI SEKI, like their which now has lasted so far two normal selves and that’s months. We’ve never had to fight encouraging. It’s too bad we won’t the crowds at Costco! Another silver be able to meet as a group again, for lining was I had time to clean up our some time I’m afraid, so photos are garage and in the process found three the next best thing. of the power tools I thought I had lost! MORE OF DA MAINLAND Other positives which I’m sure CHAPTER NEWS everyone shares are we become by TRACEY MATSUYAMA grateful for what we have instead of “AMEN!” to ROBERT AND what we’ve lost, nothing beats good YOKO HORSTING!!! They health, family and friends. And as worked very hard on getting my older seniors we don’t have to worry folks, DON AND SUMI SEKI, about having to work or take care of their FAVORITE food - or home school children, or have to worry about homemade dried fruit. The Horstings also sent them paying rent or mortgage, and we have the privilege of “ALOHA!” during the strict Quarantine at the Cal senior hours! We’re also grateful none of our club Veterans Home! We are thankful! members – at least none that I know of – have gotten ill from this virus. Most of all we’re glad our Nisei My parents have a daily activity schedule, Great veterans are doing well. staff and care for my Dad’s sake. Great food along with Sawtelle’s “J” food next door! In addition our Club wants to recognize ROBERT

HORSTING and RON YAMADA for offering their services to shop for the older members during the EVEN MORE OF DA MAINLAND lockdown. I’m sure there are others who are exposing CHAPTER NEWS by John and Mary Sunada themselves to the virus in these great humanitarian deeds. We went grocery shopping during senior The numbers for infections/deaths are still not too hours. We wore masks, gloves and brought our own good for LA County. It’s a very highly populated shopping bags. We did not know we had to bag our area: LA County has over 10 million people, and LA groceries. We bought food for two weeks. Being city has about 4 million residents. We’re glad to see Japanese and in our 70's, we move very slowly and did Hawaii’s numbers almost disappear although the Continued on page 4 EVEN MORE OF DA MAINLAND CHAPTER NEWS PANDEMIC THOUGHTS Continued from page 3 A poem by

not want to bring attention to ourselves. Other shoppers were waiting in Phyllis Murakawa line for us to finish. We were so nervous that we did not bag all the groceries. Instead, we left the rest of the food and bags in the cart. On the Isolation is so lonely, way out, our cart got stuck on the track of the store doors because of all What to do, the heavy groceries. The manager was outside making sure all the Only four corners. shoppers were 65 years old. We thought were going to get in trouble. Instead, he helped lift the cart over the track. Then our groceries were falling out of our cart. The manager turned around again. We Appetite very poor, thought for sure we were in trouble. Instead, he helped us bag the rest of No taste for food, the groceries and said, "Have a nice day!" How wonderful people can be during the pandemic. No friends to share.

DOG CHAPTER NEWS by Joy Teraoka Missing friends and family. Recently, I had a leg infection that sent me to the hospital for ten days, No family human touch, then a stay at a nursing facility for another five days. A few weeks later, I had a doctor’s follow up appointment to check on how the wound was Sameshi. healing. Before the doctor came into the observation room, he sent his assistant, a young medical student to take notes on the progress of my injury. This third year med student, who was wearing the required “mask” Long sleepless nights, on his face was cordial, efficient and made me feel so at ease. I noticed on Worry and concern, his name tag the name “Hosaka.” So I asked him if he were related to a A nightmare. “MILDRED HOSAKA.” He perked up and answered, “Yes, she is my grandmother.” How Computers, cell phones and Zoom, wonderful! He was KALEI Alas, communication, HOSAKA, grandson of RICHARD “DOC” Inner freedom and joy. HOSAKA and son of BRUCE HOSAKA. Contacting friends, In the September 2019 Writing letters, Puka-Puka Parade, I had written an article on Kalei who Good feedback. was chosen to appear in TV and newspaper advertisements Prayer and quiet, promoting the Hawaii Baptist Academy. It is so good to Solace makes peace, know Kalei is pursuing his goal Calmness and clarity. of becoming a doctor. From my experience in seeing him in this medical setting, I know he will be an excellent physician. With all good wishes to Kalei — “go for it.” (PPP Editor’s Note: Phyllis Murakawa is a member of the Kalei, as part of the Ardo/Hosaka Clan musical group, often Mainland Chapter. Her husband, entertained us at our Dog Chapter Christmas parties. So, Kalei, keep GALEN MURAKAWA, is a Big playing that great music. Music is therapeutic, too. Island boy. If you have a poem (PPP Editor’s Note: The photograph of Kalei Hosaka playing the guitar you have written that you’d like to was taken by fellow Med Student GRANT YONEOKA on April 19, share, please send it to the PPP at 2019 and appears on the JOHN A. BURNS School of Medicine, [email protected] University of Hawaii’s Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ or mail it to the Clubhouse. It uhmed/47585727642) doesn’t have to be Covid related) FOXHOLE TO FOUR STAR by LTC Steven Bittle US Army Official Website, March 31, 2020 https://www.army.mil/article/234159/ foxhole_to_four_star

Honolulu, Hawaii - Some of the Army Reserve’s most important signal preparation and training is taking place at the 9th Mission Support Command at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii. The 9th MSC G4 and G6 team, along with the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment S6 Team, have answered the 9th MSC’s Commanding General, BRIG. GEN. TIMOTHY CONNELLY’s call to establish effective Mission Regional Support Group, and the 100th Battalion, Command. 442nd Infantry Regiment. These units have Soldiers Starting with the Commanding General’s and Detachments on Oahu, Maui, Hilo, Joint Base Priorities: The 9th MSC is the most ethnically Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright in diverse, geographically dispersed command in the Alaska, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Korea, and U.S. Army Reserve, crossing seven times zones, two Japan. The 9th MSC Headquarters will now be able to U.S. states, two U.S. Territories, a Commonwealth communicate through FM Communications and BFT and two foreign countries. The CG’s priorities include during missions or other events to these units and Readiness (Building Complete Combat Platforms), locations. Foxhole to Four Star Mission Command Operationalize the Command, Execute Pacific will soon be possible over the Network (NET) and Pathways, and Rapid Mobilization and Deployment. should be completed by the end of April. With approximately 4,700 miles between the 9th MSC 9th MSC Combat Platforms: The Joint Battle Headquarters to the farthest direct reporting unit, it is Command-Platform (JBC-P) is the Army's next inevitable that challenges will arise when meeting the generation friendly force tracking system equipping commanding general’s priorities. Soldiers with a faster satellite network, secure data However, the logistics and communications team encryption, and advanced logistics. continue to work diligently to ensure the command 9th MSC G4 logistics team have been actively builds complete combat platforms and operationalize engaged in tracking, ordering, and offering their the command. (Photo of 100th/442d soldier SGT. technical expertise for all units across the 9th MSC, JASON BADDO, installing the Joint Battle expediting the identification of Non Mission Capable Command – Platforms at Fort Shafter Flats to ensure (NMC) parts and components of the BFT to be the vehicles are ready for exportable Combat Training replaced by the JBC-P which is worth over 4.6 million Capability at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.)) dollars. In the last 120 days, the team has installed and The entire JBC-P modernization would not have configured Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) stations been possible without the intuitive thinking put forth for tactical radio use in the Current Operations by the 9th MSC logistics team and the Non Information Center (COIC) and in the tactical data Commissioned Officers from the 100th Battalion, center as part of operationalizing communications 442nd Infantry Regiment. A process that could have across 9th MSC and operational areas. This will taken well over a year was completed in a few months. accomplish communications using Frequency These teams have fielded over a half dozen M1151 Modulation (FM) Communications and Blue Force Enhanced Armament Carriers in the last two weeks Tracker (BFT) across Oahu and Hilo, a distance of with the JBC-P. about 200 miles. BFT will reach further, but still needs The efforts of our logisticians and signaleers and to be tested in future Communications Exercises their ability to think outside-the-box will bring a (COMMEX). This is vital to many of the 9th MSC network and tactical capability that is seldom seen DRUs, including the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, within major reserve commands outside of the active 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 302nd component, bringing Foxhole to Four Star into Terminal Transportation Battalion under the 658th fruition. Pride of the Pacific! THANKS TO A BRAVE smothers its blast with his body. SOLDIER WHO DIED SO I They were saved, but Spud died COULD LIVE instantly. He was only 22. The day by Martin Snapp was April 5, 1945. Coincidentally, East Bay Times, April 8, 2020 that was also the day I was born. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/04/08/ This past Sunday was my 75th snapp-shots-thanks-to-a-brave-soldier-who birthday and the 75th anniversary of -died-so-i-could-live/ his death. And that has weighed on SADAO MUNEMORI, of Army’s me heavily. World War II 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was killed on day I You see, I am Jewish; and if Hitler was born had conquered our country, I - and a million of other Jewish babies - Seventy-five years ago, Sadao undoubtedly would have been tossed Munemori was silently climbing in onto a bonfire. But Hitler didn’t total darkness up Mount Belvedere win, and for that I have to thank in Italy, along with other members Spud and the other G.I.s who gave of the 442nd Regimental Combat their lives. Spud died so I could Team, the Japanese-American live. World War II unit that is the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. Their mission I grew up and had a life full of joy was to attack one of the best outfits in the German and sorrow, success and failure. I did some good army, the Kesseling Machine Gun Battalion. (The things but also some things I regret. I fell in love but drawing of Sadao Munemori which appeared in this also had my heart broken. And I’ve had dear friends article was courtesy of MICHAL REAGAN, Fallen and a career that still gives me great pleasure. Heroes Portrait Project). Spud had none of that, good or bad. He never had The climb wasn’t easy, weighed down with full a chance to get married or have kids. He never heard packs, rifles and ammunition. They were ordered to the Beatles or saw Neil Armstrong walking on the keep absolute silence - no talking, no smoking, even moon. He never got to see Barack Obama elected thir dog tags were tied together to prevent them from President of the . He gave up all his clanking. If a man fell off the mountain, he wasn’t to tomorrows so I could have mine. cry out. Several did fall, and they all plunged to their How can I repay him? The answer is I can’t. All deaths without making a sound. I can do is try to lead my life in a way that would Like many of his buddies, Munemori was fighting make him feel his sacrifice was worth it. for a county that was incarcerating his family behind Thank you, Spud. barbed wire in a prison camp, merely for having Footnote: The men of the 442nd have asked me Japanese ancestry. He was a fun-loving guy who had to tell you that this year’s memorial service for their one unusual quirk: He preferred eating potatoes fallen comrades in Oakland’s Roberts Park has been instead of rice. Naturally, his buddies nicknamed him cancelled due to the pandemic. Hope to see you next “Spud,” and he loved that nickname. year. The battle began the next morning, and everyone (PPP Editor’s Note: PFC Sadao Munemori was with a higher rank than his was soon killed, so Spud assigned to 100th, A Co. He was KIA during the had to take over. He left his men behind shelter and Campaign saving the lives of AKIRA made frontal, one-man attacks that knocked out two SHISHIDO and JIM ODA. He was posthumously machine guns. Then he withdrew and, under awarded the on March 13, 1946 murderous fire and showers of grenades, made his which was presented to his mother, NAWA way back to a shelf crater where two of his fellow MUNEMORI, at Fort MacArthur where he had began his military service. At that time, he was the soldiers were taking refuge. first and only Japanese American soldier in World Suddenly, an incoming grenade bounced on his War II to be so recognized. A great profile of Spud helmet and rolled toward his helpless buddies. which includes this info is at http:// Without hesitation, he dived for the missile and cgm.smithsonianapa.org/stories/sadao- munemori.html). VIRTUAL FROM DA EDITOR CELEBRATON As we head into another month of lockdown here OF THE GO FOR in Hawaii, I know that I have finally reached my BROKE breaking point and have totally lost my mind. How do MONUMENT’S I know this? I volunteered to serve on the three 21ST woman planning committee for the Virtual Memorial ANNIVERSARY Day Service on March 25 with CAROL KAWASE of Go For Broke the Western Nevada JACL and my taiko sister and my National “if I ever get my okole in gear and get my pet business Education going” web-designer, SUSAN KANAGAWA YUEN Center website of the San Jose JACL. If I was sane, I would have just http://www.goforbroke.org/news/annual_events/ been watching the event with everyone else instead of monumentanniversary/index.php helping out and, ai-ya being the host for Educational

Join the Go For Broke National Education Center Program As I have been involved for les than two on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 12:00 pm PST (9:00 am weeks, there was no time to get a facelift or lose 50 HST) for our first LIVE STREAM ONLY Monument pounds. It as been a very wonderful experience 21st Anniversary Tribute event. In order to keep our though, especially getting back in touch with ANNE veterans and our community safe, we will not be able BONJEAN. to hold this event in person. For the first time in the The main reason I know I Monument’s history, viewers from across the country have finally gone totally kichigai will be able to partake online in this special day is that I have started taking celebrating the legacy of the Japanese American weekly Beginning Yoga class veterans of World War II. Help us celebrate and share taught online by my cousin, ANA this inspiring story. MARI HAMADA of San Tune in starting at 11:45 am PST (8:45 am HST) Francisco. Most of us in her class for the Pre-Show which will feature “thank yous” to are her family members so it’s our generous sponsors and donors. We will also be like a reunion every week. I am sharing “Honor a Veteran” digital tributes during this shocked that I can actually do the poses and the only time. pain I have experienced is my dogs stepping on my The livestream of the 21st Anniversary Tribute feet or pawing at my head during the relaxation will kick off at 12:00 pm PST (9:00 am HST) and will portion. If you’d like to give yoga a try while wearing include messages from GFBNEC President and CEO boroboros at home, the Matsunaga Institute for Peace DR. MITCHELL T. MAKI, ABC7 News Anchor will be offering some online free Yoga sessions in the and member of the GFBNEC Board DAVID ONO, future or contact me and I’ll see you on the yoga mat and KISA ITO, the granddaughter of 442nd veteran, every Tuesday at 7:30 am! LAWSON SAKAI. Another sign that my brain has gone sayonara is The Tribute will be livestreamed on the following the thrill I feel seeing a familiar name or face at an platforms: online presentation. I have really enjoyed the offerings from the Matsunaga Institute of Peace, The GFBNEC website at http://goforbroke.org/ especially the hosting talent of JOSE BARZOLA, the news/annual_events/monumentanniversary/ advice on life from MAYA SOETORO-NG and the YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ graduation message by MATT MATSUNAGA. I’ve goforbrokenationaleducationcenter learned so much from the Pacific Historic Parks’ Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ sessions which have included a performance of Pigs goforbrokenationaleducationcenter/ From The Sea by storyteller ALTON TAKIYAMA CHUNG, and an interview with KAMANA If you would like to join in for an audience Q and HUNTER about his documentary Sakura and Pearls. A, please consider watching on Facebook as that will I try to post events that may be of interest to the 100th be the only platform with commenting capability. family at the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans There will also be a live fundraiser for GFBNEC on Facebook page on a daily basis so please check it out Facebook. 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Non-Profit 520 Kamoku Street Honolulu, HI 96826 Organization U.S. Postage

P A I D Permit No. 158 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Honolulu, HI

JUNE CLUBHOUSE CALENDAR (all events at the Clubhouse unless otherwise indicated)

BOARD Meeting No meeting

CRAFT CLUB All meetings cancelled until further notice The Puka-Puka Parade is the official newsletter of LINE DANCING All classes cancelled until further notice the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization and is published monthly, twelve times a year. CLUB EVENTS All events cancelled until further notice The opinions expressed in the PPP are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the UPCOMING EVENTS position of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans. Monday, May 25 Nisei Veterans Virtual Memorial Day Service All articles are written by PPP Editor Jayne Hirata unless otherwise indicated. 8 am to 10 am Saturday, June 6 Virtual 21st Please e-mail your articles, comments or questions about the PPP to [email protected]. 8:45 am Pre-Show Anniversary Tribute If you do not have access to email, please mail or 9 am Program deliver your articles, comments or questions to the Saturday, June 13 TADAIMA! A Virtual Community Pilgrimage Clubhouse Office. to Sunday, August 16 The deadline to submit articles for the July 2020 issue is June 20

ANNOUNCEMENTS 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans We will remain closed until June 30. 520 Kamoku Street In case of emergency, please email Office Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 [email protected] AND Assistant ALEX TAKASHY at [email protected] [email protected] www.100thbattalion.org AND ANN KABASAWA at OFFICE HOURS: [email protected]/ The Clubhouse and Office We are picking up mail but please do NOT will be temporarily closed leave a message on the phone. until Tuesday, June 30