The NATIONAL NEWSPAPER of the JACL June 19-July 2, 2015

History Rescued: A Heart Mountain Barrack Will be Returned Home Page 6

HMWF Executive Director Brian Liesinger photographs features of the barrack in Shell in April in preparation for its return to the Heart Mountain World War II Japanese American honda Confinement Site. stan

by

photo

NPS Awards $2.8M Seward Park Torii A Personal Recollection to Preserve WWII Project Fights for of the MIS Exhibit Confinement Sites Major Funding in Minnesota Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

#3257 / VOL. 160, No. 11 ISSN: 0030-8579 WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG 2 June 19-July 2, 2015 community/letter

how to reach us Okura Foundation and UCLA Celebrate New Email: [email protected] Online: www.pacificcitizen.org Mental Health Leadership Foundation President Tel: (213) 620-1767

staff Fax: (213) 620-1768

Collection and Board of Director Ford Kuramoto, Mail: 250 E. First St., Suite 301 citizen

Chairman Bertram S. Brown, Okura family Los Angeles, CA 90012 By P.C. Staff members Glen Komatsu and Karen Ishizuka,

pacific Staff UCLA Deputy University Librarian and : Executive Editor

he Asian American Studies Center Interim Director of Library Special Collections photo Allison Haramoto and Library Special Collections at the Susan E. Parker, AASC Librarian and Assistant Editor University of California, Los Angeles, Archivist Marjorie Lee and AASC IT Specialist Tiffany Ujiiye Theld an inaugural reception on June 9 for the and Project Coordinator Tam Nguyen. Business Manager Patrick and Lily Okura Collection, which “When you spend time in an archive, you Susan Yokoyama celebrates the Okura’s pioneering work related get to actually know the people and the lives Production Artist to Asian Pacific American, minority and that are represented inside” said Yoo. “It’s a Present at the reception were (from Marie Samonte community mental health issues as well as their link to the present and to the future where the left) Albert Okura, George Iseri, Karen lifetime dedication to social justice. Okura’s lives intersect with many topics and Ishizuka, Shiz (Mae) Komatsu, Ets Circulation Eva Ting The reception, held in the university’s Charles communities.” (Frances) Okura, Eric Komatsu, Cindy The collection is available to view online. Its Sangalang, Joyce Komatsu, Emi The Pacific Citizen newspaper E. Young Research Library Presentation Room, (ISSN: 0030-8579) is published was attended by the Okura family along with registry is arranged into numerous categories Komatsu and Glen Komatsu. semi-monthly (except once in colleagues of Pat Okura and former foundation covering the Okura’s professional career, December and January) by the fellows. Attendees viewed pieces of the minority and community mental health Lily (1919-2005), was the first woman elected Japanese American Citizens League, Pacific Citizen, collection and were given a digital tour on how advocacy, civic engagement, the JACL, World to JACL’s National Board and was best known 250 E. First St., Suite 301, to navigate the collection online. War II evacuation, incarceration, resettlement for her activism and leadership. Los Angeles, CA 90012 “A scholar once said that archives represent and redress. “It is great to see these archives come to life Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA POSTMASTER: Send address a community of memory, and this notion of a Pat and Lily Okura dedicated their lives and be made available,” said Komatsu. “I think changes to National JACL, 1765 community of memory has really held true for to mental health research and social justice, this is about the people and scholars that come Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115 me as a historian,” said AASC Director David especially for AAPI communities. Pat Okura after us that will use this archive to focus on the JACL President: David Lin Yoo. “I’m proud that UCLA can be a place for (1911-2005) attended UCLA and earned his community and the good work.” National Director: Priscilla Ouchida researchers can come to learn about mental bachelor’s degree in psychology; he later P.C. editorial board health.” became the first Asian American to graduate Visit the archive at www.aasc.ucla.edu/ Carol Kawamoto, chairperson; Notable speakers included UCLA Okura with a master’s degree in psychology. His wife, okura/ to download the full registry. Leona Hiraoka, EDC; Jody Mitori, MDC; Roberta Barton, CCDC; Jim Duff, NCWNPDC; Gabrielle Nomura, PNWDC; Gil Asakawa, letter to the editor as they come. IDC; John Saito Jr., PSWDC; Prostitution was legal and openly practiced Nicole Gaddie and Kota Mizutani, Dear Editor, during WWII. Included among them was in both Japan and Korea until long after the youth reps. Chung Hee Park, a graduate of the Imperial end of WWII. Some of the girls may have subscribe Get a one-year subscription of the I and some acquaintances are troubled by Military Academy who was a young been mislead into believing that they would Pacific Citizen newspaper at: the naïve, one-sided views that have recently lieutenant at the end of WWII. In May 1961, be performing less unsavory tasks such as www.pacificcitizen.org or call appeared in the Nikkei press. For example, in Maj. Gen. Park of the ROK Army led the seamstresses but kidnapped at the point of (213) 620-1767 a recent issue of the North American Post that coup that overthrew the corrupt ROK govern- bayonets? No way. The leadership of the Im- Advertise To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, is published in Seattle, a professor from the ment and established a military dictatorship perial Army may have been brutal but utterly call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail: University of Washington (my alma mater) is that quickly transformed the ROK from one stupid they were not. It would have been far [email protected] reported to have stated that “comfort women of the most-impoverished countries in the more cost effective to simply charge higher LEGAL deniers can deny evidence of slavery because world into the economic and technological fees than kidnap and ship (under guard) Ko- No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express they refuse to accept testimony.” Say what? power that it is today. rean girls across the far reaches of the Pacific. permission of the Pacific Citizen. Since when is testimony by someone who Did men of this caliber, who had access to After all, nobody has ever suggested that the Editorials, news and the opinions testifies with hand out, palm turned upward, weapons, stand meekly aside while Japanese Imperial Army was the only army in history expressed by columnists other than the national JACL president or national proof of anything? men kidnapped and raped teenage Korean to have provided their troops with free sexual director do not necessarily reflect It is a fact that hundreds of thousands of girls? Absolutely not. Trust me, Korean men services. JACL policy. Events and products Korean men served in the Imperial Army are not a bunch of wimps. They are as tough >> See letter on page 5 advertised in the Pacific Citizen do not carry the implicit endorsement of the JACL or this publication. We reserve the right to edit articles. © 2015 Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, Your donations will help build and preserve a cohesive library of the Calif. and mailing office. Pacific Citizen to educate future generations JACL member? Y N JACL MEMBERS

Name ...... Change of Address

If you’ve moved, Address ...... please send new information to: National JACL City ...... 1765 Sutter St. San Francisco, State ...... Zip ...... CA 94115 (415) 921-5225 or 2015 [email protected] Phone ...... Allow 6 weeks for address changes. Email ...... To avoid interruptions in delivery, please notify your postmaster to include periodicals in your change of address (USPS Form 3575) commentary June 19-July 2, 2015 3 A Mother’s Take the NY/SC Celebrating Why HR 40 Matters to With Pride Japanese Americans

By Marsha Aizumi By Ryan Kenji Kuramitsu

he month of June is known for graduations, weddings and now here is a saying in Japanese culture, African-Americans and 4) Make recommendations to for our family, it is LGBTQ Pride month. This year, I have had ‘kodomo no tame ni,’ which means, ‘for the Congress on appropriate remedies to redress the harm the opportunity to celebrate all three. Beginning in May, I attend- sake of the children.’ And for us running inflicted on living African-Americans. Ted four University of La Verne graduation celebrations for Aiden: One ‘Tthis [Japanese American redress] campaign, that had In past years, Japanese Americans have drawn for LGBTQ individuals and their allies and another for Asian American much to do with it. It’s the legacy we’re handing clear and profound parallels between our wartime graduates. I also attended Aiden’s baccalaureate, where he read the Lit- down to them and to the nation to say that, ‘You can incarceration and a number of modern social issues. any of Affirmation, which began with, “We are the many songs of this make this mistake, but you also have to correct it — Indeed, the JACL is proud to be an organization of Universe . . . And so we have a great responsibility to remember who and by correcting it, hopefully not repeat it again.’” “firsts,” known for our willingness to speak out when we are.” The litany ended with, “We are makers of peace.” I cried when — Former JACL Executive Director and National our values demanded it — even in apathetic or hos- I heard my son read those words because through all his challenges and Redress Director John Tateishi tile social environments. In 1994, we were the first pain, I know all he wants to do with the rest of his life is to be his true The conversation around redress for slavery non-LGBTQ civil rights organization to come out for self and bring greater peace and love into this world. received renewed cultural attention with the release marriage equality, conscious of the staunch support The final graduation celebration was, of course, the commencement of The Atlantic’s June 2014 article “The Case for gay folks like Barney Frank lent our redress cam- exercise, where our family cheered and I cried once again when I saw Reparations.” The article, which took journalist paign. Shortly after the events of 9/11, our organiza- my son proudly accept his diploma after nine long years of holding on Ta-Nehisi Coates over two years to write, explores tion decried the profiling and internment of Muslim to this dream of finishing college. Before our journey to stand by our the brief history of economic and fiscal predation of and Arab Americans, drawing direct connections to transgender son, I think I would have felt guilty that it took my son so African-Americans at the hands of the government the discrimination experienced by our community long to finish school. I would have never focused on the resiliency and beyond the institution of chattel slavery, including after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. determination my son brought forth to walk across the stage to get his civil rights era terrorism, redlining and modern loan While there are visible differences between bachelor’s degree. I would not have looked for all the beautiful moments discrimination. The article also briefly mentions HR African-American and Japanese American calls for that we have been able to share as we have spoken around the country to 40, the Commission to Study Reparations Proposals reparations, our communities’ shared struggles for so many LGBTQ individuals, their families and straight allies. I would for African-Americans Act — a piece of legislation dignity and justice have long-intertwined roots. It have missed so much of those amazing moments, if that were the case. originally proposed in 1989 by veteran Congressman was the energy and gains of the civil rights move- Yes, Aiden took nine years to finish college, but through those years, John Conyers (D-Mich.) and steadily ignored for the ment that inspired Nikkei redress activists and former he has developed the strength, confidence and gratitude that he never past 25 years. incarcerees to speak up at the Commission on War- had. Less important was the time it took, more important were all the Conyers’ bill, proposed just one year after Japanese time Relocation and Internment of Civilians’ public qualities of character my son found through his struggles to believe Americans won formal apology for their intern- hearings — an event that began to heal the deep, psy- in himself. ment, was modeled in part after successful Japanese chic scarring many in our community didn’t know we I think the most amazing part of our journey is that we experience American redress legislation including HR 442. If still had. These hearings forever changed the tenor of moments at a higher level. When Aiden got married in 2013, I wanted to passed, it would ask the United States government to the Japanese American redress conversation and were celebrate every minute of the day because there was a time that I thought set up a federal commission that would accomplish instrumental in bringing about our reparations. he would never find love. My appreciation was deep, intense and ever four main things: 1) Acknowledge the fundamental Although important, Japanese American redress is present. And when Aiden finished his bachelor’s degree, I wanted to brutality and inhumanity of slavery 2) Establish a far from the only example of how wide-scale formal celebrate every graduation moment because he didn’t walk at his high commission to study slavery and its subsequent racial apology and restitution might be implemented. school graduation and wasn’t sure he would even go to college. and economic discrimination against former slaves The beauty of having challenges in my life is 3) Study the impact of those forces on today’s living >> See HR 40 on page 9 that I don’t take things for granted as often. I appreciate the moments at a higher level. I try to live fully present within the mo- ment, and the joy I feel is greater than I could ever imagine. I am so grateful for these points in time because there was a YAMATO TRAVEL BUREAU ® time when these moments seemed like C.S.T. 1019309-104 they were not possible. This past weekend, I was in ESCORTED TOURS SCHEDULED FOR 2015 Seattle with Aiden speaking at Tour Escorts the Seattle JACL’s “Family: An API LGBT Gathering.” Sept. 5-13 Yamato Fall Colors Mississippi River Cruise on the American Queen Steamboat – Sharon Seto 9 days/7nights voyage & 1 night hotel in Minneapolis/St. Paul prior to boarding the boat Since it was the month of to St. Louis, MO visiting Red Wing, La Crosse, Dubuque, Quad Cities, Burlington, & Hannibal. Pride celebration, Seattle Oct. 17-31 Yamato Deluxe Autumn Tour to Okinawa & Japan – 15 days/13 nights visiting Peggy Mikuni JACL chose to hold Osaka, Manza Beach, Naha, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo. this one-day event to Oct. 20-Nov. 5 Yamato Kyushu, Shikoku & More Fall Japan Tour - 17 days/15 nights visiting Sharon Seto bring greater awareness, Nagoya, Ise, Toba, Kobe, Awaji, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Yawatahama, Beppu, resources and create a Mt. Aso, Kumamoto, Shimabara, Unzen, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Himeji and Osaka. place of community where **** individuals and families Aiden Aizumi read the Litany of Please call our office for more information. could share their stories. Affirmation at his baccalaureate People were so grateful for ceremony from the University of YAMATO TRAVEL BUREAU® the safe space. We in the La Verne. 250 East First Street, Suite 1112, Los Angeles, CA 90012 LGBTQ community do not (213) 680-0333 or (800) 334-4982 Email: [email protected] take safe spaces for granted. >> See pride on page 12 4 June 19-July 2, 2015 Community/national JACL Welcomes OCA Summer NPS Announces $2.8 Million in Intern Grace Kim Grants to Preserve and Interpret WASHINGTON, D.C. — The JACL Washington, D.C., of- fice recently welcomed Grace Kim, a participant in the OCA WWII JA Confinement Sites Summer Internship program, who will be working with JACL through mid-August. WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Park ment Camp (INS Detention Station) in Kim, a senior at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis an- Dallas County, Texas, to $400,000 for currently pursuing a B.A. in political science with a minor in nounced June 16 that 20 grants total- New York’s public media station WNET Chinese. A second-generation Korean American, Kim aspires ing more than $2.8 million will be given to create “Prisoner in My Homeland,” a to pursue a career that relates to her passion for social justice to help preserve and interpret the World series of free online educational video and political awareness. Kim hopes that her internship with War II confinement sites of Japanese games to engage middle school-age JACL will allow her to acquire the professional work skills Americans. students with the history of Japanese and experience she needs to help address issues facing Asian “As stewards of our nation’s history, the American incarceration during WWII. American and Pacific Islanders today. National Park Service recognizes the im- The Japanese American Confinement — JACL National Staff portance of preserving these confinement Sites Grant Program, now in its seventh sites,” Jarvis said. “They are poignant year, will support projects in eight states reminders — today and for future genera- and the District of Columbia. Judge Holly Fujie Gives Keynote tions — that we must be always vigilant The grants announced June 16 total in upholding civil liberties for all. These $2,845,000 and bring the program’s total Address at Paralegal Day Mixer grants help us share valuable lessons on awards to more than $18 million since the fragility of our constitutional rights and Congress established the grant program he Los Angeles Para- president of the State Bar ensure the experiences of those who were in 2006. A total of $38 million in grant legal Assn. hosted a of California and advises incarcerated are not forgotten.” funds was authorized for the life of the Paralegal Day Mixer the White House on federal The grants will be used for projects that program. Ton June 4 at the DoubleTree judicial nominations. She is include a traveling exhibition to tell the Grants from the JACSGP can go to the by Hilton in Downtown Los currently sitting in a family lesser-known story of the former Tuna 10 War Relocation Authority centers es- Angeles to celebrate Los law assignment of Depart- Judge Holly Fujie Canyon Detention Station in California; tablished in 1942 or to more than 40 other Angeles Mayor Eric Garcet- ment 87 of the Stanley Mosk and LAPA President the immediate stabilization of a root cellar confinement sites. The goal of the program ti’s recognition and com- Courthouse in Downtown Bobby T. Rimas at the that incarcerees used to store fruit and veg- is to teach present and future generations mendation of paralegals for Los Angeles. Paralegal Day Mixer etables that they raised at Heart Mountain, about the injustice of the WWII confine- their service. “It was an honor to have Wyo.; and the creation of an online archive ment history and inspire a commitment The event’s keynote ad- Judge Holly Fujie as our impressive explanation as to that will include more than 1,300 digitally to equal justice under the law. Success- dress was given by L.A. keynote speaker,” said how paralegals have become scanned documents and photographs re- ful proposals are chosen through a com- Superior Court Judge Holly LAPA President Bobby T. a necessary part of the legal lated to the former Rohwer incarceration petitive process that requires applicants to Fujie. She is the former Rimas. “She gave a very profession.” n site in Arkansas. match the grant award with $1 in nonfed- The grant amounts range from $16,000 eral funds or “in-kind” contributions for awarded to the Friends of the Texas His- every $2 they receive in federal money. torical Commission to research and docu- ment a 70-year-old mural that was painted For additional details about these by an internee at the Seagoville Intern- projects, visit http://www.nps.gov/JACS/. NPS Grant Recipients

Asian CineVision, New York, N.Y. “Heart Mountain Root Cellar, Phase II: “The Orange Story: A Cinematic Digital Emergency Stabilization” History Project” Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Multiple Sites, including Merced Assembly Park County, Wyo. $90,500 Center, Merced County, Calif.; Granada Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation, Relocation Center (Amache), Prowers Powell, Wyo. $159,548 County, Colo “Japanese American Confinement Sites California State University, Dominguez Consortium” Hills, Carson, Calif. Multiple Sites $28,639 “California State University Japanese Heyday, Berkeley, Calif. American Digitization Project” “Journeys From Manzanar,” a Published $321,554 Multiple Sites Book Project Densho, Seattle, Wash. Manzanar Relocation Center, Inyo County, Spending Has Never Been So Rewarding “Making Connections With the Japanese Calif. $100,000 American Incarceration” Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Multiple Sites $131,574 Honolulu, Hawaii Using your National JACL Credit Union Friends of the Texas Historical “Hawaii Japanese American Internment: VISA® credit card has never been easier. Commission, Austin, Texas Short Documentaries on the Hawaii Accepted everywhere, any of your “Seagoville Internment Camp: Detainee Confinement Sites in the Counties of Kauai, needs are always accessible. Mural and ‘Japanese Colony’ Study” Oahu, Hawaii and Maui” Seagoville Internment Camp (INS 17 internment sites on the islands of Hawaii, With unbeatable rates, call today to Detention Station), Dallas County, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and apply and nd the right card for you. Texas $16,000 Lanai $215,502 Friends of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, (aka Hawaii’s Plantation Village), Honolulu, Hawaii Waipahu, Hawaii “The Power of Place: The Archaeology of “Phase Two, Administration Building Hawaii’s Internment Sites” Construction Documents, Student Honouliuli Internment Camp, Honolulu Participation and Exhibit” County; Haiku Camp, Maui County; Honouliuli Internment Site, Honolulu, Kalaheo Stockade, Kauai County; and County, Hawaii $112,000 other internment sites in Hawaii $38,600 Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation, Powell, Wyo. >> See NPS on page 8 community/letter June 19-July 2, 2015 5 Seward Park Torii Project Fights for Major Funding Volunteer fundraising efforts are Cost for the project is an estimated $270,000- archives $360,000, depending on design specifications. being raised to erect a torii gate in The current minimum needed is $200,000. municipal “We hope that the Department of Neighborhoods’ the Seattle park. Large Project Fund will be a major contributor,” seattle community volunteer Higano said about the Seward By Tiffany Ujiiye, Torii Project. “The projects presented this evening courtesy Assistant Editor were all for worthy causes, so if for some reason :

the Torii Project is not funded, our volunteer The original photo riends of Seward Park and community members committee is committed to continue fundraising,” Seward Park torii, are looking to install a 26-foot-tall Japanese she said. shortly after its torii, a traditional gate commonly found in front Higano learned about the Seward Torii Project installation, Fof shrines, in Seattle’s Seward Park. A meeting held back in 2013 after reading an article published in circa 1935 at the Bertha Landis Room in Seattle’s City Hall on the Seattle Times. Although Higano grew up in June 11 looked to evaluate the project. Government Massachusetts, she feels culturally passionate about representatives from the Neighborhood District her father’s family, who once lived on Seattle’s Kichio Allen Arai. Councils and City-Wide Review Teams evaluated the Beacon Hill. Over the years, the iconic torii became a community gathering place projects presented by the Torii Project. “In the process of working on this project, I have had for events like the annual Rainier District Pow-Wow until the attack on Tia Higano, Joe Manson, Joan Seko, John Thorpe, the opportunity to connect with so many members of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Kenji Ushimaru and Ted Weinberg all spoke about the the community who are working toward a common Anti-Japanese sentiment spread across the nation, but the torii remained project in hopes of winning the Large Project Fund goal,” said Higano. “It has been great to meet new untouched. In 1948, Park Maintenance Superintendent Roland Koepf from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Large friends and learn more about the city where my father recommended to have the torii rebuilt after noting its “advanced stage Project Fund. The Seward Torii is one of five projects grew up. This is the first opportunity I have had to be of decay,” according to the Seward Torii Project. No park reports or in competition for the Large Project Fund. involved in a project with the direct links to my own evidence in the Seattle Tribune provide insight if the restorations efforts The Seward Park Torii organizers will hear from heritage and family.” were ever made or executed. the Department of Neighborhoods in August if they Higano, like many others working on the project, By 1984, the torii was dismantled because it was deemed a hazard due will be recipients of the fund. If the project meets its continues to raise awareness regarding the importance to decay. Some of the lumber pieces were rescued by a parks employee, funding requirements, Seward Park should see the of making such connections with one’s Japanese who kept it in his backyard until the Friends of Seaward Park asked for it torii completed by spring 2016. ancestry. to be donated to the Wing Luke Museum in 2012. Table display for the project at the meeting included In 1934, the original torii was on display at Seattle A renewed interest to erect the park icon is gaining momentum. The architectural plans for the new torii, designed by University. A gift sponsored by the Seattle Japanese Friends of Seward Park are beginning community fundraising efforts like Murase Associates. Columns for the torii will be Chamber of Commerce, the torii was viewed as a way sharing a video describing the torii’s history and cultural significance. made from rough-hewn granite with cedar beams to involve the Japanese community by promoting Groups will be also representing the project on Bicycle Sundays in across it. For the surrounding area, the torii will Seattle as the “Gateway to the Orient,” according to Seward Park and Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival. provide a new venue for a theater, allowing space for the Seward Park Torii website. For information on public meetings, please contact the project at community events such as concerts, weddings, yoga Despite the traditional torii’s religious association, [email protected] or to learn more about the torii’s demonstrations and other wellness activities. the Seward Torii is secular, celebrating the park’s history, visit www.sewardparktorii.org for more details. Thus far, the project has received two Small & natural beauty and a symbol of intercultural friendship.

Simple grants from the Neighborhood Matching Fund. After the celebration, the torii was disassembled and

Plans to apply for King County’s 4 Culture program donated to the city, where it was placed in Seward are also in the works later this summer. The estate of Park’s north side. The famous floating torii offshore KOKUSAI-PACIFICA Mimi Kraus also donated $25,0000, and Nintendo from Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Japan, inspired 2015 TOURS gave $5,000, in addition to other individual donations. the Seward Park design, which was sketched by

FALL COLORS IN JAPAN

were representing JACL. It would have been far Oct 18 Fall Japan Classic “Fall Foliage” - 10 Days - $4395 - Our Classic tour Letter >> the with places everyone should see: Tokyo - Hiroshima - Kyoto; more appropriate for them to be proposing that the Imperial Palace Plaza - Nara Deer Park - Hiroshima Peace Park. Plus, continued from page 2 memorials honor those Nikkei who were actually things you may have seen in pictures: the “floating” Torii gate on the living in those two towns when they were rounded Isle of Miyajima - the rock garden at Raikyuji Temple in Takahashi - the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. Also, things to discover: disappearing I am a veteran of the Korean War and served up and imprisoned in early 1942. Angel Road hot springs bath on Shodo Island; in Okayama - in the Far East in 1952/53. In 1960, I returned to At a time when both Japan and the ROK are Korakuen, one of 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan; and secrets of Nijo involved in disputes with a very aggressive Castle - residence of one of the most powerful shoguns, in Kyoto! Korea as a civilian employee of the Department of Call now! Early Bird Deadline - June 18, 2015 Defense. During a three-year civilian tour, I lived communist China over ownership of disputed islands in the Pacific and the Yellow Sea, we don’t Oct 26 Uranihon “Otherside of Japan” - 10 Days - $4395 - For the more in BOQs and dined in mess halls with U.S. Army traditional side of Japan: visit Sado Island in the Japan Sea - where officers as well as a few ROK Army officers who need people stirring the pot of conflict between Emperor Juntoku, Buddhist monk Nichiren, and others were exiled. In Kanazawa, see one of 3 most beautiful parks in Japan - Kenrokuen, were serving as liaisons between units of the two two of our most important allies. For anyone who might want to explore this and the Folkcraft Village - with Kutani pottery, lacquerware and more. armies. Heading west, we come to Amanohashidate “Bridge of Heaven” - 1 of subject further, I urge you to download from Wiki- While in Korea, I studied the language at an army 3 most scenic sights in Japan, and spend the night in Miyazu Hot language center and had a very cordial relationship pedia, “Treaty on Basic Relations Between Japan Springs. Continue on we reach Tottori Sand Dunes, desert on the sea, and then to Matsue Castle and Museum of Lafcadio Hearn - famous with some of the Korean officers. Naturally, among and the Republic of Korea,” which was signed on June 22, 1965. This document reveals that the author of Kwaidan, a collection of Japanese ghost stories. a group of young men who were living as bache- Call now! Early Bird Deadline - June 26, 2015 Japanese government originally proposed that it lors, we sometimes joked about the prostitutes who Nov 03 Okinawa & Kyushu - 10 Days - $4495 - For Japan’s tropical getaway - were clustered around gates of the camps. Never directly compensate Korean individuals for dam- Okinawa: Naha, with the Pacific War Memorials & Museum, and ages incurred as a result of the Japanese occupation Shureimon Gate - the symbol of Okinawa; 2 nts at a tropical beach during the time that I was in Korea did anyone resort, with Okinawan culture, music & dance. On Kyushu, on the ever mention to me that Korean girls had been of Korea (1910-45) but that the ROK Government insisted that it would handle such claims and then Japan seacoast, visit Karatsu Castle; then to Nagasaki - the site of the kidnapped and forced to serve as comfort women second atomic bomb devastation - Peace Park & Museum; be amazed during WWII. An older brother who spent most settle with aggrieved individuals. This is the reason by the many colors of Beppu Hot Springs - blue “Ocean Hell,” ruddy why Japan now insists that this matter has already red “Bloody Hell,” “Crocodile Hell” and more! of 1946 in Korea as an MIS agent tells me that he Call now! Early Bird Deadline - July 03, 2015 been resolved on a government-to-government ______never heard of such a thing until fairly recently. basis. Early bird savings. Call for Brochure or check our website for details. What is the JACL’s position on this subject? Includes flights from LAX, hotels, sightseeing & most meals. I ask because while testifying in favor of erecting Sincerely, Fuel surcharge, if any, additional. memorials to Korean comfort women in Glendale and Buena Park recently, members of our San George Nakagawa KOKUSAI TRAVEL, INC. www.kokusaitravel.net Fernando chapter gave the impression that they Gardena, Calif. PO Box 2086, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 - 714/840-0455 [1006444-10]

6 June 19-July 2, 2015 in-depth History Rescued: Returning an Original

Heart Mountain Barrack liesinger . a

brian

The barrack, which has : been a part of Iowa State photo University since the late- 1940s, will be permanently moved to the Heart Mountain National Historic Landmark site this summer.

By Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation

barrack originally built at the Heart An interior shot Mountain Relocation Center during of the barrack World War II will be coming home to reveals the Aits National Historic Landmark site between basic skeleton Cody and Powell, Wyo., this summer. The of the building Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation is constructed rescuing it from demolition with the help of for the Heart a community-wide effort. Mountain The barrack is located in Shell, Wyo., and Relocation has been offered by Iowa State University, Center in 1942. which has been using it for housing at its geology field studies station just outside of Shell. It has remained in service there for 50 it together.” Northwest College students, area volun- The JANM barrack move was a decade- years but has finally outlived its natural life. The HMWF found out about the barrack teers and HMWF staff spent the day picking long effort completed in 1994 by 32 volun- Iowa State, which originally had three bar- last summer, and upon review, found it to up broken glass, pipe fragments, square nails teers coming from Denver, Los Angeles, San racks, was aiming to demolish the building be in solid shape, with a few modifications. and other remnants that confirmed the exis- Jose and Seattle. Early JANM leadership, to make way for new housing. The HMWF It is also complete, measuring 20 feet wide tence of the former barracks. Smith has also including Nancy Araki, had envisioned the discovered its plans and has negotiated a by 120 feet in length, which is rare, as many agreed to assist with construction monitor- importance of a barrack to help tell the story rescue of the building. Iowa State has agreed barracks were dismantled, split in half or ing as the ground is prepared for the arrival of the Japanese American incarceration dur- to donate the barrack at no charge if the generally modified to create houses or farm of the barrack. ing World War II. HMWF can move it. outbuildings. The barrack will travel approximately 81 When “Mr. Heart Mountain” Bacon Saka- “This is an opportunity for the greater More than 450 barracks were originally miles for its return to Heart Mountain. Af- tani found out about this vision, he claimed Heart Mountain community to be a part of constructed on this site. After the camp ter being removed from Heart Mountain, it he knew where JANM could find a barrack, a truly historic event,” said HMWF Execu- closed in 1945 and the Japanese American was used by the city of Greybull, Wyo. It and he delivered on his promise. Sakatani tive Director Brian Liesinger. “This barrack- incarcerees were freed, the government sold endured another move to its current place- had been incarcerated with his family at saving is like a barn-raising in a sense. We many of the barracks to homesteaders for $1 ment at the Iowa State geology field station Heart Mountain and had celebrated his 13th need local and national support to save this. each, provided they could remove them from in the late 1940s. Because it has been cut birthday on the four-day train ride from Whether it is through in-kind contributions the site. As a result, many of the camp struc- into three sections during these two previous California to the Heart Mountain Reloca- or donations of any amount, we can preserve tures dot the surrounding landscape and con- moves, the building will be moved back to tion Center. He made regular visits back to tinue to see use as houses, shops, Heart Mountain in three pieces to ensure its Wyoming throughout the 1980s and through sheds and outbuildings. structural integrity. his connections there, the crew identified honda

To maintain the historic integ- It is estimated that the HMWF will need two barrack segments located very close to

stan rity of the Heart Mountain World to raise $140,000 for the move, construction the original Heart Mountain site. One was a : War II Japanese American Con- work and ongoing preservation of the struc- 20-foot-by-40-foot section from the farm of photo finement Site, the barrack will ture for public view. The HMWF has already Tak Ogawa and the other a 20-foot-by-60- be placed on the original spot obtained a generous $10,000 grant from the foot section from the farm of Rod Morrison. where there once sat a barrack to Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund to help with The volunteers who arrived in September house Military Police, adjacent the cost. It is currently seeking individual 1994 were tasked with dismantling the bar- to where the Heart Mountain In- donations, local sponsorships and other rack segments and loading them on flat-bed terpretive Center currently sits. grants to cover the remaining cost. trailers for transport back to Los Angeles. The goal is to have it in place This will not be the first Heart Mountain It was laborious work for the group, but by by early August. barrack moved for preservation purposes, October, the fragments had been put back An archeological survey, led though it will be the first complete one together in a parking lot in Los Angeles’s by Greg Smith, an anthropology moved to a National Historic site. Little Tokyo for exhibition. The segments professor at Northwest College A Heart Mountain barrack is prominent- were connected and a newly constructed ex- in Powell, was conducted on ly featured in Los Angeles at the Japanese tension was built onto it to extend it to the May 2. The point of the sur- American National Museum and represents full size of a barrack: 20 feet wide by 120 This Heart Mountain barrack is currently located vey was twofold: to sweep the a centerpiece of the museum’s permanent feet long. outside of Shell, Wyo., on an Iowa State Uni- ground on which the barrack collection. Many of the incarcerees confined Now, one of these tattered segments stands versity geology field studies camp. The historic will return for significant arti- at Heart Mountain were from the Los Ange- in the middle of JANM and serves as both a structure will be moved to the Heart Mountain facts and identify indications of les area. Others came from the San Jose and gripping and haunting piece of incarceration World War II Japanese Confinement Site be- a barrack foundation to confirm the greater Bay Area. A smaller group also history. tween Cody and Powell, Wyo., this summer. an exact location. came from Washington State. >> See BARRACK on page 9 in-depth June 19-July 2, 2015 7

torial written by George Grim. It was pub- Bridges to the Past: Military lished in the local Twin Cities newspaper in 1945 and also reprinted in the ceremony program. In the editorial, George recounted his experience working with MIS instructor Intelligence Service in Minnesota Tommy Ichimura while stationed together at Camp Robinson in Arkansas years prior. On A personal reflection of how history is ‘not only a body of one particular day, Tommy showed George knowledge, but the process of discovering and identifying with a Mother’s Day card he had prepared. After admiring the card, George turned it that knowledge.’ over to find that it was addressed to a stall at the Santa Anita Racetrack Assembly Center hackner By Matthew Walters in California. “Tommy could teach us more than Japanese,” wrote Grim later in 1945, jessica y experiences with Fort Snelling : “I hope he — and his mother — will forgive

in Minnesota were limited to a photo the rest of us.” handful of elementary school field These stories, but a tiny sampling of the Mtrips. To say I had even the slightest interest breadth of the Nisei MIS experience, drew in histories of armed conflict as a child, let for me a picture more rich, complex and alone a 200-year-old military outpost, would colorful than any visible through the black- be an exaggeration. and-white lenses of loyalty, patriotism or This disinterest was, perhaps like the in- sacrifice. To remember the Nisei MIS vet- difference many students feel toward history erans only for their numerical accomplish- textbooks, due to a feeling of disconnec- ments, while nevertheless substantial, is to tion with those pasts. No one in my fam- forget about the cumulative impact of the ily had ever fought in a war. None of my personal impressions these Nisei left on fel- friends joined the service when I graduated low servicemen, Japanese soldiers and some from high school. Feelings of disconnection of the highest-ranking leaders in the world. change however when personal relation- To remember them only for their patriotism ships are established, and I experienced a is to forget about their loyalty to mutual un- newfound interest in Fort Snelling when derstanding between the United States and I learned that my Nisei grandfather was in Japan. To remember them only as linguists the Military Intelligence Service during is to forget about their unique qualifications World War II. as cross-cultural mediators and communi- This personal connection was further cators. To remember them only as valiant strengthened on May 17, 2015, when I warriors against the enemy is to forget their (From left) Historian Eric Saul, Twin Cities JACL Education Committee Chair attended the opening ceremony of a pho- ability and willingness to understand and hu- Sally Sudo and keynote speaker and Maj. Gen. Paul Nakasone to exhibit organized by the Twin Cities manize people on both sides of the violence. JACL Education Committee. The exhibit, In fact, to remember the Nisei veterans “Japanese Americans in the Military Intelli- must have been suffocating pressures of pa- discernible in the ceremony, perhaps a ne- only for their loyalty is to hide the privi- gence Service During WWII,” is on loan from triotic rhetoric working to confine an already cessity given American society’s endless lege of those whose loyalty has, due to their the National Japanese American Historical confined population. Perhaps he simply preoccupation with these concepts. Yet, I particular race, never been questioned. It is Society and contains original photographs wanted to leave the camps. Perhaps he did it felt a different theme emerge as I listened to to continue performing the “Star Spangled from the Military Intelligence Service out of loyalty to his country. Regarding this the speeches and later read the printed sto- Banner” with immaculate precision without (MIS) language school at Camp Savage and last hypothesis however, I began to feel dur- ries dispersed throughout the exhibit itself. asking why such precision is not expected Fort Snelling. ing the ceremony that a conversation con- Three stories in particular stand out in my of all others. So often, we readily cram the At this school, over 6,000 Nisei were fined to issues of loyalty might never fully mind today. complexities of the Japanese American ex- trained for deployment as Japanese transla- capture the MIS story. The first was an anecdote historian Eric perience into the story-worthy, yet incom- tors and interpreters to the Pacific Theater Naturally, I was not the only one in atten- Saul shared about Gen. Douglas MacAr- plete, frameworks of loyalty and sacrifice. in World War II. As you can imagine, they dance with a personal connection. The cer- thur’s personal interpreter, Nisei MIS lin- We regale the public with tales of patriotism, became much more than that. emony not only documented the history of guist Kan Tagami. During the occupation, as obedience, honor and bravery. Yet, I find The school grew substantially from an ini- the language school, but also allowed the au- a long meeting between Emperor Hirohito these themes haunt me as I struggle to iden- tial class of 60 students studying atop orange dience to identify with its students through and Gen. MacArthur concluded, Emperor tify with my ancestors. While we celebrate crates at an abandoned hangar at the Presidio the close relationships so many in the Twin Hirohito turned to Tagami and thanked him their legacy and accomplishments, we must in San Francisco. Yet, those few students in Cities have with the school and its students. for his work bridging the gap between the never forget to ask why Japanese Americans the early years, once deployed to the Pacific, Carolyn Nayematsu, Sally Sudo, Karen U.S. and Japan. “You must have suffered ever had to prove their loyalty to this demo- proved their aptitude and value so decid- Tanaka Lucas, Joyce Yoshimura-Rank, Gail much because of the war between our coun- cratic nation in the first place. edly that the school was at once inundated Wong and keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Paul tries,” said Hirohito to a surprised Tagami. It is often said that the mission of the JACL with demands from the military for more M. Nakasone all shared stories about par- The second was on a storyboard placed is to educate the larger society about unique graduates. Seeking additional space and less ents and spouses who trained at the language among the photos in the exhibit. The brief and important experiences of Japanese racial tension, the school’s founder, Col. schools and served in the Pacific Theater text explained how MIS officers undertook Americans in the United States. However, Kai Rasmussen, found a new home when during the war and occupation. large-scale projects to convince Japanese as a delegate to the 2013 JACL National Minnesota Gov. Harold Stassen welcomed Even 6-year old Kasumi Lucas, Gosei and units to surrender peacefully. These projects Convention, I argued during the National the MIS language school to Camp Savage great-granddaughter of MIS veteran Walter included the production of brochures inform- Council session that the educational mis- and later Fort Snelling. Tanaka, was present to deliver the Pledge ing Japanese soldiers and civilians of the sion of the JACL should focus not only on As I helped families, veterans and other of Allegiance, which she did with astonish- humane treatment they would experience if the larger society, but also on our own com- visitors sign in for the opening, I found my- ing articulation and clarity. Sheena Janson they surrendered. Some Nisei MIS linguists munity. Given the personal connection that self imagining what my grandfather may of Rick Shiomi’s Mu Performing Arts fol- even visited doomed Japanese units alone or must exist for so many to take a genuine in- have been thinking in those days. Finding lowed with a jaw-dropping rendition of the in small groups to sit down and talk about terest in history, we alone carry the eternal himself at Topaz after his college education “Star Spangled Banner.” As I watched these surrender. A common strategy the linguists burden, responsibility and privilege of fuel- was cut short at Berkeley, why did he choose displays of loyalty, executed with flawless employed was to reason truthfully with the ing the collective memory of the Japanese to leave for St. Paul that September of 1943? precision, I could not help but feel I was wit- frightened soldiers that not only would they American experience. If we ourselves do not Why did he choose to enlist in the MIS? nessing a complicated scene that had played be treated humanely once captured, but also strive to remember and identify with Japa- A variety of possibilities exist. Perhaps out countless times in the history of Asian that their skills and lives would be invalu- nese American history through our personal Grandpa enlisted to get a head start rebuild- America. able to their families and communities after relationships, who will? ing his career after his education was cut Indeed, themes of sacrifice, loyalty, duty, the war. short. Perhaps he enlisted to relieve what honor and patriotism were the most clearly The third anecdote was a newspaper edi- >> See Bridges on page 9 8 June 19-July 2, 2015 community/national Patrons Denied Access to 2015 JACL National Convention Bishop Bowling Alley Specific Exhibit Objects he Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage Brandon Miyasaki, a youth leader of the Identified for JACL/ Committee, which consists of the Florin JACL who also helped coordinate Florin JACL and Council on Ameri- the Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage bowling Smithsonian Museum Tcan Islamic Relations — Sacramento Val- event. “We patiently waited for Back Alley ley, is embroiled in a dispute with the Back Bowling to acknowledge these requests Alley Bowling, Bar and Grill in Bishop, only to have them claim it was all a ‘misun- Collaboration Calif., over mistreatment and denied access derstanding’ and ‘they sincerely regret any stemming from an April 25 visit to the misperceptions.’ After our investigation of WASHINGTON, D.C. — To Specific exhibit objects include: establishment. first-hand accounts and a trail of negative commemorate the 75th anniversary of • 100th Infantry Battalion full uniform As part of the annual Manzanar Pilgrim- reviews claiming discrimination, I think it’s the signing of Executive Order 9066, • Photos from Japanese American World age, a group of 15 Asian American and fair to say that the Florin JACL alongside the Smithsonian’s National Museum War II veterans (100th, 442nd RCT/MIS) Muslim American young adults, in addition our supporters now have an even clearer of American History will feature a • Handmade toys and children’s items to older members and senior citizens, were understanding about how Back Alley special exhibition of Japanese American from camp denied service at Back Alley Bowl on three Bowling operates, and that is the reason incarceration artifacts in an effort to tell the • Cards and games used in camp for leisure occasions on April 25. we still seek justice.” story of the Japanese American experience (kids and adults) Bowling alley employees told the group Back Alley representatives failed to show during World War II. • Textbooks, report cards, projects and the establishment had a down computer at an agreed upon meeting on June 9 with A Smithsonian representative will artwork from camp schools and adult system, though it remained fully open for committee members and instead issued a be attending the 2015 JACL National education classes business. response from their lawyer. Convention on July 14-15 in search of • Birth and death certificates from camp “The Florin JACL would like an apology The Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage Com- incarceration images and objects to be • Camp worker’s documentation and from Back Alley Bowling for denying us mittee is currently examining all options in featured in a JACL-sponsored exhibit that records, such as salary logs, etc. (for both service, a public commitment by the bowl- order to ensure justice is served. will open on the Day of Remembrance, Japanese Americans and non-Japanese) ing alley to anti-discrimination policies and Visit the P.C. website for the latest Feb. 19, 2017, and remain accessible until • Sports-related artifacts, photos and a public welcome of diverse people,” said developments on this story. November. It is projected to reach more documents from camp than 3 million visitors in the museum and • Camp newsletters and newspapers millions more online. • Personal Letters (e.g., Nisei soldiers NPS >> continued from page 4 JACL National Convention attendees writing to parents in camp, etc.) with object(s) that might be considered • Resettlement documents for the exhibit are encouraged to bring National Japanese American Historical Teaching Stories of Confinement” Society, San Francisco, Calif. a photograph of the item so that it For more information, please contact Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Park can be examined by the Smithsonian “Camp Digital Archives” County, Wyo.; Manzanar Relocation Center, [email protected]. representative. Multiple Sites $83,875 Inyo County, Calif. $20,000 National Trust for Historic Preservation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. District of Columbia “Rohwer Reconstructed II: Making “Left Behind: Documenting the Japanese Connections Through Time and Space” American Collections at Seattle’s Jerome Relocation Center, Chicot and Drew Panama Hotel” Counties, Ark.; Rohwer Relocation Center, Minidoka Relocation Center, Desha County, Ark. $254,606 $137,178 Jerome County, Idaho University of Central Arkansas, The Regents of the University of Conway, Ark. California, c/o UC Berkeley Sponsored “A Season of Remembrance: Rohwer and Projects Office, Berkeley Calif. Jerome at 70” “Japanese American Internment Sites: Jerome Relocation Center, Chicot and Drew A Digital Archive” Counties, Ark.; Rohwer Relocation Center, Multiple Sites, including Colorado River Desha County, Ark. $75,908 Relocation Center (Poston), La Paz County, University of ColoradO, Denver, Ariz.; Tule Lake Segregation Center, Modoc Denver, Colo. County, Calif.; Gila River Relocation Center, “Amache 3D Digital Documentation” Pinal County, Ariz.; Manzanar Relocation Center, Inyo County, Calif. $296,347 Granada Relocation Center (Amache), Prowers County, Colo. $24,202 San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, Pacoima, Calif. WNET, New York, N.Y. “Only the Oaks Remain: The Tuna Canyon “Mission US: ‘Prisoner in My Homeland’” Detention Station Traveling Exhibit” Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Wash.; Tuna Canyon Detention Station, Manzanar Relocation Center, Inyo County, Los Angeles County, Calif. $102,190 Calif.; Minidoka Relocation Center, Jerome County, Idaho $400,000 Special Service for Groups, Los Angeles, Calif. “A Flicker in Eternity Interactive Curriculum: Total $2,845,000

Congratulate the 2015 Scholarship Winners in the Pacific Citizen

space reservation deadline: september 4, 2015

For more information contact: Susan Yokoyama at 213.620.1767 or [email protected] commentary/in-depth June 19-July 2, 2015 9 HR 40 >> continued from page 3 Holocaust survivors achieved redress because they gave with the United States’ most haunting racial histories, and human voice to their grievances and insisted on their moral yet we do not seem to be at a point where we can speak right to recompense. Likewise, Nikkei received redress intelligently about what a practical, ethical and nonblame- We know that Germany paid over 3 billion marks to because we demanded it, built broad intercommunity based reparations schema might look like. This is exactly Israel in the dozen or so years after the Holocaust, donating support and chartered a congressional study that forced our why we need the commission’s research, findings that millions to the World Jewish Congress on behalf of those government to finally recognize our incarceration as would allow all U.S. Americans to set about the business of who were murdered under Nazi rule. Similarly, Native a “grave injustice.” healing our shared racial trauma with care and humility — American groups have to some extent received apology The United States has formed hundreds of such federal and with facts, statistics and official research in hand. and partial payments for lands forcibly taken by the United commissions over the years, tasked with goals as varied The National Youth/Student Council is sponsoring a States government, and numerous European countries and as researching space programs, protecting our national motion at this July’s National Convention asking the JACL cities have formally apologized and repented for their role forests, maintaining landmarks, studying environmental to express full support for HR 40. If this bill is ever to in perpetuating the Transatlantic slave trade. sustainability and investigating wartime internment. become a reality, it will take widespread intercommunity Just this spring, the mayor of my own city of Chicago Surely the historic wounds that the institution of chattel support, from people of all ethnic groups. For Japanese voiced support for a reparations proposal that would slavery and its racial afterbirth have left us with deserves, Americans in particular, we believe the way forward set aside over $5 million to offer college education, at the very least, apology and intentional study. Gathering should be clear. In deciding whether to remain silent or psychological and substance abuse counseling and up to facts in this way should be far from controversial — as speak out in asking our country to begin to grapple with $100,000 to survivors of police torture and their families. Congressman Conyers has made clear, “This is not a bill on the horrors of slavery and segregation, we must look The legislation would also provide a formal apology how we deal with reparations. This is a bill that calls for a toward future generations: kodomo no tame ni, “for the to victims, create a permanent memorial and introduce commission that sets up a study for reparations.” sake of the children.” Yet, our answer also surely lies in the curriculum into Chicago Public Schools on the torture Our country is emerging from a year of moral movement past, among the hurdles we have already surmounted, in cases’ lasting blemish on city history. marches and community protests in response to the imagining what our peoples might achieve together, In all of these cases, reparations weren’t won because increased documentation of the physical and economic with one another’s help. our governments suddenly discovered their consciences predation of black Americans at the hands of their Ryan Kenji Kuramitsu is the JACL MDC Youth independent of external pressure. Tortured Chicagoans and government. Now more than ever do we need to engage Representative. barrack >> continued from page 6 It will remain a fixture of the landscape that can speak not only to the Japanese American confinement during World To rally support, the HMWF has created opportunities for barrack site once it is returned. War II but the extended homesteading and farming history donors to claim a role in the project. Through a fundraising In addition, businesses are being encouraged to “Sponsor a in the Big Horn Basin. website (barrack.shopheartmountain.org), donors can Mile” of the project through direct or in-kind contributions. “This structure represents many things: injustice and pain, choose their level of participation and track the project’s For business interested in sponsoring a mile and the benefits but also perseverance and resourcefulness,” said Liesinger. progress. In exchange for participating, donors receive a that come along with it, they can email the HMWF (info@ “And being back on this historic site will allow us to extend number of awards, ranging from historic square nails used heartmountain.org). not only our preservation mission but our educational to build the Heart Mountain camp to invitations to a donor With its return, the barrack brings important historical goals as well. Not to mention the gravity it will lend when recognition event to permanent name recognition at the significance as a powerful artifact of camp life and beyond. reminding people of a mistake we must not repeat.” n Bridges >> continued from page 7 AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL 312 E. 1st Street, Suite 330 * Los Angeles, CA 90012 * TEL: (213)625-2232 * E-MAIL: [email protected] dulas Historian Eric - hirata Saul recounts the 2015 TOUR SCHEDULE accomplishments of

cheryl Northern Lights Holiday Tour (Postponed to 2016)...... March 12-18 Nisei MIS linguists. : Anchorage, Fairbanks, Chena Onsen-Hot Springs, Aurora Borealis.

photo South America Japanese Heritage Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida)...... May 7-17 Argentina – Buenos Aires; Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Iguassu Falls. Meet with local Japanese for dinner. Option: Peru – Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu. East Coast Island Getaway Tour (Carol Hida) ...... May 11-16 Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, Mystic Seaport Village, Rhode Island, New York City, Hamptons, Long Island. Alaska Holiday Cruise (Carol Hida) ...... Jun 6-13 Seattle, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria. HAL Westerdam Ship. Grandparents-Grandchildren Japan Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida). . . . . June 22-July 1 Tokyo, Hakone, Atami, Hiroshima, Kyoto. (Sold Out) Grandparents-Grandchildren Japan Holiday Tour (2nd Group)...... July 1-10 Tokyo, Hakone, Atami, Hiroshima, Kyoto. Europe Holiday Tour (Carol Hida)...... Sep 21- Oct 2 London, Paris, Brugges, Amsterdam. Classical Japan Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida)...... Oct 1-11 Tokyo, Hakone, Atami, Gifu-Cormorant Fishing, Hiroshima, Kyoto. As I struggled to imagine what life was 2015. It was at this fort, so etched into the Special Danube River Holiday Cruise (Carol Hida)...... Oct 11-21 Prague, Danube River Cruising, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Durnstein, Melk. like for my grandfather, I came to feel that historical consciousness of Minnesotans, MS Amadeus Royal River Cruise Ship. history is not only a body of knowledge, but that an auditorium of veterans, Japanese Korea Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida). . (Postponed to early Oct 2016) . . Oct 19-Nov 1 the process of discovering and identifying Americans and other visitors learned about Seoul, Nami Island, Sokcho, Daegu, Gyeongju, Busan, Cheju Island, with that knowledge. History may not the accomplishments of the Nisei MIS Gwangju, Daejon, Suwon, KBS Drama Center, DMZ Tour. Kenya Safari Holiday Tour (Carol Hida) ...... Oct 29-Nov 10 only be about knowing what happened, linguists so close to them generationally Nairobi, Amboseli National Park, Mt. Kenya Safari Club, Sweetwaters Tented Camp, but engaging in the ongoing struggle of and geographically. It was there that an Jane Goodall Chimpanze Sanctuary, Samburu Game Reserve, Game Drives. contemplating those pasts and how they exhibit was commemorated to share with Okinawa Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida)...... Nov 12-21 Naha, Onnason, Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island. bind us to the present. Perhaps it is not only not only visitors to the center but also the archival work, but the painstaking processes descendents of those veterans present. We can assist you with: Low-cost airfares to Japan, Japan individual or group travel arrangements, Japan Railpass, Tokyo Air/Hotel Special Packages, Cruises, Hotels, Cars, Hawaii of historical identification that JACL must I am deeply indebted to both National arrangements, Individual Tour Packages, Organization/Clubs/Family group tours and foster in order to truly accomplish its JACL and the Twin Cities Chapter for cruises arrangements. unique mission. making this experience possible for me. For more information and reservations, please contact: The multifaceted educational goal of The photo exhibit, sponsored by the AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL teaching society about Japanese American Minnesota Historical Society and the Twin 312 E. 1st Street, Suite 330 * Los Angeles, CA 90012 history while struggling to identify with Cities Chapter of the Japanese American TEL: (213)625-2232 * E-MAIL: [email protected] our past through personal connections Citizens League, is on display at Historic Ernest or Carol Hida was exemplified by the ceremony at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn., through Elaine Ishida (Tel: 714-269-4534) (CST #200326-10) the venerable Fort Snelling on May 17, July 5, and again from Aug. 25-Oct. 31. 10 June 19-July 2, 2015 calendar

A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR ggg National make an appearance. workshop. Annual obon Info: Email Carolyn at carolyn@ July 15. Info: Call (650) 342-2541. service will be held on July 26 aarw.org or visit www.aarw.org. Info: Visit www.jaclchicago.org 2015 National Convention at 11 a.m. or call (773) 728-7171. Las Vegas, NV 2015 Nikkoland Festival Info: Visit www.newyork MDC July 13-15 Oakland, CA buddhistchurch.org or Nikkei Community Picnic July 20-21 Monte Carlo Resort and Casino call (212) 678-0305. Salt Lake City Obon Chicago, IL Buddhist Church of Oakland 3770 Vegas Blvd. South Festival of Joy August 1; Noon 825 Jackson St. Price: Varies Japanese American Veterans Salt Lake City, UT Bunker Hill Forest Preserve, Price: Free Join JACL for the 2015 Assn. Quarterly Luncheon July 11; 1-8 p.m. Grove 3 The Buddhist Church of National Convention in Las Falls Church, VA Salt Lake City Buddhist Temple W. Harts Road Oakland invites all to its Vegas and receive a special July 11; 11:30 a.m. 211 W. 100 South Price: Free annual bazaar and festival, Come share a day of games, discount on tickets to the Harvest Moon Restaurant Price: Free which will feature fun games, Blue Man Group. For each 7260 Arlington Blvd. The annual obon festival is food, sports and sunshine bingo, a silent auction and a person registered, $25 will go Price: $18 back this year at the Salt Lake with the Chicago chapter of raffle. Resident minister Rev. toward funding the National Reservations are City Buddhist Temple. Bon the JACL. The picnic is Harry Gyoko Bridge will lead Student Youth Council. recommended beforehand. Odori will be from 8-10 p.m. potluck style, and dishes tours of the historic Oakland JAVA is a fraternal, patriotic, brought should be enough for Info: Visit www.jacl. Info: Call (801) 363-4742. org/2015convention/. landmark on both days. educational and historical your family. Info: Contact Jon Takaguchi at organization with the Cherry Blossom Denver Festival Info: Visit www.jaclchicago.org [email protected] or call purposes of preserving and Denver, CO or email Bob Takagi at NCWNP (510) 832-5988. strengthening comradeship June 27-28; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. [email protected]. among its members. Sakura Square Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Info: Visit www.javadc.org. Annual Community Picnic PSW 19th and 20th Streets PNW Price: Free Santa Cruz, CA Ekoji Buddhist Temple June 27; 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. San Fernando Valley Obon New this year is a locally Idaho-Oregon 69th Annual Festival Obon Festival brewed Sakura Matsuri craft Japan Nite Obon Festival Aptos Village Park Fairfax Station, VA 100 Aptos Creek Road Pacoima, CA beer that will be offered to Ontario, OR June 27-28; 4-9 p.m. July 11; 5:30-9:30 p.m. festivalgoers. Fans of taiko June 27; 4-9 p.m. Price: Adults $8, Seniors 70+ Ekoji Buddhist Temple and Children under 5, $5 San Fernando Valley Hongwanji drumming, teriyaki chicken Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple Buddhist Temple 6500 Lake Haven Lane and vintage Japanese textiles 286 S.E. 4th St. Featured entertainment this Price: Free year will be Watsonville Taiko. 12953 Branford St. won’t want to miss this year’s Price: Free The annual San Fernando Join Ekoji this year at its festival. Don’t miss Bon Odori at 7:30 Parking is limited, so cultural and food bazaar. Valley Obon Festival is back Info: Visit www.cherry p.m., and food services start carpooling is encouraged. Try a variety of cuisine such with delicious foods and blossomdenver.org or at 4 p.m. All are welcomed Don’t miss the scholarship as chicken teriyaki bento presentations at 12:45 p.m. exciting performances. Don’t call (303) 295-1844. to tour the sanctuary open miss the chance to welcome boxes, spam or veggie house, wedding kimono and an ice cream social at musubi and others. Bon Odori the summer season with the JACL Project: Community! display and martial arts and 3 p.m. will be at 7 p.m. Info: Visit www.watsonville community. Come enjoy Day Camp taiko demonstrations. cultural activities and make Info: Visit www.ekoji.org or Chicago, IL Info: Call (541) 889-8562. santacruzjacl.org or email call (703) 239-0500. [email protected]. lasting memories. July 20-22, 27-29; Info: Call (818) 899-4030. 10 a.m.-Noon Japan-American Society 55th AARW Summer Grill-Off BBQ JACL Chicago Office Annual Golf Tournament Buddhist Church of Lodi Watertown, MA Obon Bazaar Senshinji Bon Odori 5415 N. Clark St. Mukilteo, WA Los Angeles, CA July 18; 3-6 p.m. Price: Free July 17; 11 a.m. Lodi, CA Arsenal Park June 27; Noon-7 p.m. June 27; 5:30-10:30 p.m. JACL’s free summer camp Harbour Point Golf Course Senshin Buddhist Temple 485 Arsenal St. program for children ages 7-9 11817 Harbour Pointe Blvd. Buddhist Church of Lodi Price: Free 23 N. Stockton St. 1311 W. 37th St. is back! More than six half- Price: Registration fees may Highlights for this year’s Join members of the Asian day sessions over two weeks vary. Price: Free American Resource Workshop Bon Odori will be from 7-9 Bon Odori will include a will give campers an Activities will include a raffle, Hatsubon Service, raffle community in celebrating opportunity to learn about with proceeds from the p.m. There will be Japanese summer with its annual grill- food, bingo, a raffle and drawing, omoairi in hondo, Japanese American culture tournament supporting the sento shogun (oil lamps), off. Community groups will be and history. Japan in Schools (JIS) and cultural demonstrations. competing with their grilling otoki and a taiko Info: Visit www.jaclchicago.org JAASW business and cultural Don’t miss the Church Tour skills. at 12:30 p.m. and watch the performance. or email Christine Munteanu at education programs. Info: Call (323) 731-4617. Info: Email Carolyn at carolyn@ [email protected] or Info: Visit www.jaasw.org or taiko performance at 6 p.m. aarw.org or visit www.aarw.org. before the Bon Odori dance. call (773) 728-7171. call (206) 374-0180. n Info: Visit www.lodibuddhist.org EDC Lowell Folk Festival Chicago JACL Golf Tournament or call (209) 368-5589. Lowell, MA ADVERTISE HERE 66th Annual Obon Dance Glencoe, IL July 24-26 Events in the calendar San Mateo Buddhist Temple Festival July 23; 9:30 a.m. Downtown Lowell section are listed based on Annual Bazaar New York, NY Glencoe Golf Club Gorham Street space availability. Place a San Mateo, CA July 5; 12:45 p.m.-5 p.m. 621 Westley Road The Lowell Folk Festival is ‘Spotlight’ ad with June 27-28 Bryant Park Price: $85 per golfer the oldest folk festival in the photos of your event for San Mateo Buddhist Temple 42nd Street and 6th Avenue Join the Chicago chapter of country. Enjoy a weekend maximum exposure. 2 S. Claremont St. Price: Free the JACL at its annual golf of music, art, food and fun. tournament. Costs include Price: Free Schedule programing is Performances will include Ann FOR MORE info: San Mateo Taiko will be tentative, but activities will a round of golf with a cart [email protected] Yao Trio, a Chinese string and meal following the performing on both days. include Hoh Daiko, obon ensemble. (213) 620-1767 AACP Bookstore will also dancing and an origami tournament. Please RSVP by obituaries June 19-July 2, 2015 11 In Memoriam

Adachi, Ralph Akira, 89, nephews and other relatives; Ishimoto; and brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, Yoko and Eiko Oshita; he is also survived by gc: 12; ggc: 7. Yoshiaki Hirata. Miya and Hideko Iwamaye; she is nieces, nephews and other also survived by many nieces, relatives. Fujioka, Ronald Wayne, 65, Hisamoto, Joanne Kazue, 60, nephews and other relatives; San Dimas, CA; May 25; he is gc: 4. Sasaki, Tsugiko, 97, survived by his wife, Kumiko; Pearl City, HI; May 15; she is children, Brandon and Midori Nakanishi, Kanichi Thomas, 93, survived by her son, Jed. Fujioka. Gardena, CA; May 23; he was incarcerated at Gila River and he Tamura, Naoki, 65, Fukunaga-Steele, Charlene was a M.I.S. Korean War veteran; Shieko, 69, Honolulu, HI; May he was predeceased by his wife, 26; she is survived by her sons, Marion; he is survived by his son, Scott (Michelle) Steele and Joel Craig Nakanishi; he is also “JJ” (Clarissa) Steele; daughter, survived by many nephews, Tara (Bruce) Hegg; brother, Glen nieces and other relatives. Fukunaga; sister, Judith (Lloyd) Akamine; gc: 3. Nakashima, Scott, 61, Whittier, CA; May 10; he is Orange, CA; May 25; he is Fumiko, Matsumoto, 86, survived by his father, Jimmie survived by his wife, Fumi Adachi; Torrance, CA; May 31; she is Nakashima; sister, Kristine son, Steven Hiroshi (Janice) survived by her sons, Eddie Los Angeles, CA; May 4; she Nakashima; aunt, Yuri Adachi; daughter, Kathleen and Danny (Becky) Matsumoto; was predeceased by her parents, Tsuchiyama; he is also survived Satsuki Kawashima; sister, Janet brother-in-law, Yoshi Matsumoto; Opie Mitsuo and Jeanne Tsuneko by nieces, nephews and other Shorter; he is also survived by sisters-in-law, Yoko and Eiko Hashimoto; she is survived by relatives. nieces, nephews and other Miya and Hideko Iwamaye; her sisters, Dee Ann Misa relatives; gc: 3. she is also survived by many (Kevin) Clossman; nephew, Nakayama, Mae Yooko, 82, nieces, nephews and other Adam; niece, Sharann Mari Hilo, HI; May 30; she is survived Yorba Linda, CA; May 31; he is Arakaki, Kiyoko K., 97, relatives; gc: 4. Hisamoto. by her sisters, Aileen Sylvia, survived by his wife, Mieko; son, Kauai, HI; June 1; she is survived Sandra Shinozawa and Elsie Hayato; daughter, Aya (Peter) by her son, Dennis; daughters, Harada, Takeshi, 86, Iino, May, 74, Los Angeles, CA; Ushiroda. Flores; gc: 2. Susan Arakaki and Leona Urata; Waipahu, HI; May 13; he is May 19; she is survived by her brother, Yonetoshi Kamida; sister, survived by his son, Bradley; husband, Ron Iino; daughter, Nishimura, John K., 71, Tokishi, Blossom Midori, 82, Edythe Yoshimura; gc: 4; ggc: 2. daughter, Donna Nakamura; Tiffany; son, David (Jennifer) Iino; Gardena, CA; May 26; she is brothers, Kikuo, Takayuki and mother, Tsuruko Ishihara; sisters, survived by her children, Deron Ashimoto, Hisako, 95, Glenn; sisters, Fumiko Hashimoto Sachi Koyama and Katherine Ikuo Tokishi and Sheri Lyn Aiko and Carolyn Nakamura; gc: 1. (Michael) Mooko; she is also (Jeff) Tong; gc: 1. survived by nieces, nephews Hayashi, Masumi, 106, and other relatives; gc: 2. Tomita, Frank, 96, Ontario, OR; June 2; she is predeceased by her husband, Ikene, Jane Sachiko, 77, Kazuo; son, Hiroshi; daughters, Honolulu, HI; May 16; she is Shigeko and Linda Gilder; she is survived by her sons, Glen A. and survived by her children, Kazue Steven Y. Maekawa; sister, Judy Ichikawa, Akiko Aono, Martha T. Chang; gc: 2; ggc: 2. (Jim) Mizuta, Dorothy (George) Iida, Janice Gordon, Midori (Dick) Matsumoto, Fumiko, 86, Houston, Emi Koe and Bob Gilder; she also has many other relatives, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Banning, CA; June 4; he was great-great grandchildren. predeceased by his sisters, Flora Saisho and Kathy Shigemoto; he Torrance, CA; May 10; she was Hayashi, Tom, 76, is survived by his wife, Tomiko incarcerated at Poston; she was Los Angeles, CA; May 24; Nishimura; children, Denise predeceased by her husband, he is survived by his wife, M. (Geoff) Lovejoy, Kevin M. Masao; daughter, Joanne Nancy Hayashi; children, Brian (Sheri) Nishimura and Timothy Brooklyn, NY; May 28; he was Matsubayashi; son-in-law, Ron (Elizabeth) and David Hayashi; C. Nishimura; brothers, Richard a WWII veteran; he is survived Sato; she is survived by her he is also survived by nieces, (Felisa), George (Miki), Bryce and by his wife, Helen; daughters, son, Thomas (Janice) Ashimoto; nephews and other relatives; Donald (Chieko); sister, Laura Sandra; son-in-law, Larry; sister- daughters, Alice Sato, Betty gc: 1. Takabi; he is also survived by in-law, Amy; he is survived by (Scott) Moore and Judy (Ed) Torrance, CA; May 31; she is many nieces, nephews and other nieces, nephews and other Nagatoshi; son-in-law, Bob Hirata, Yoshie, 85, survived by her sons, Eddie relatives; gc: 4. relatives; gc: 1. Matsubayashi; she is also Los Angeles, CA; May 18; she is and Danny (Becky) Matsumoto; survived by many nieces, survived by her niece, Nahomi brother-in-law, Yoshi Matsumoto; Ogawa, Chiyoko Mae, 101, Wada, Yuriko, 92, Los Angeles, CA; May 26; she is Monterey Park, CA; May 18; she survived by her children, is survived by her sons, Sam Place A Tribute Kazuo (Carol), David (Sally), (Carla) and Ron (Joan) Wada; ‘In Memoriam’ is a free Glen (Alice) Ogawa and Ann sister-in-law, Grace Taiji; she is listing that appears on a (Myron) Gee; she is also survived also survived by many nieces, limited, space-available basis. by many nieces, nephews and nephews and other relatives; Tributes honor your loved other relatives; gc: 8; ggc: 8. gc: 3; ggc: 6. ones with text and photos and Oshita, Tadashi, 68, Downey, Yoshimoto, Yukimi, 94, appear in a timely manner at CA; May 26; he is survived by his Hilo, HI; May 11; she is survived the rate of $20/column inch. children, Shaun Kiyoshi and by her sons, Warren, Roy and Contact: Kiyohiro Kasey Oshita; parents, Stanley; daughter, Irene [email protected] Sho and Seuno Oshita; siblings, Ishiyama; sister, Kikuyo Nakano; or call (213) 620-1767 Amy (Ron) and Carey (Brad) gc: 6; ggc: 4. n 12 June 19-July 2, 2015 community/commentary API Heritage Month Presentation pride >> continued from page 3 Made to the 56th Multi-Functional It is a luxury that we are not aizumi

always able to live in, and so this weekend, many of us who

attended appreciated having a marsha Medical Battalion of

place where we could speak on Maekawa from the Seattle war while they lived in those locations — it’s from our hearts and feel ac- Nisei Veterans Committee and Bob hard to imagine,” said SPC Villanueva, S-3 cepted unconditionally. I want courtesy

Nakamura from the Olympia Chap- office (Operations) of the 56th MMB. to thank Sarah Baker for being a : Dter of the JACL and member of the NVC The presentation also served as an excel- leader of this event. She is a Se- in Seattle and commander of the Lacey- lent opportunity for the 56th MMB to honor attle college student who has the photos Tumwater VFW Post 11402 in Lacey, Wash., and remember the sacrifices these men and heart and spirit of a thousand. presented a discussion on the impact that women made for this nation. Attendees com- She showed me the kind of Asian/Pacific Islander soldiers and citizens mented that Maekawa and Nakamura articu- leaders that are emerging from have had on the United States to the 56th lated greatly the impact and importance of this generation of young people. Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in Fort Asian Pacific Islander Soldiers during World Sarah, you give me hope for the Lewis, Wash., on May 19 as part of Asian War II and beyond. n world that Aiden will live in. Pacific Islander Heritage Month. One day, I dream that I will Marsha Aizuma (right) with (from left) Gabrielle The presentation, which took place at the be see those changes in a world Gainor and Sarah Baker at the Seattle JACL’s French Theater on Fort Lewis, the oldest the- that will accept my son not as nakamura

“Family: An API LGBT Gathering” ater on post dating back to the early 1930s, a second-class citizen but the bob consisted of the history of the Japanese and wonderful man, husband, son, of

Japanese Americans from the late 1890s brother and eventually the father that he So as I reflect on this month, my niece’s to the 1940s, leading up to the internment so wants to be. Later this week, I am off to wedding, my son’s graduation and the camps and the formation of the 442nd Regi- courtesy Denver to speak to the Mile High JACL. various Pride events happening around the : mental Combat Team/100th Infantry and the The JACL has been one of our family’s country, a warmth fills my heart for our

Military Intelligence Service. photo greatest supporters in recent years, along family, our son and our LGBTQ communi- Maekawa recalled his personal memories with PFLAG, a national organization that ties’ future. And that makes this mother of going through basic training at North Fort supports parents, families and friends of smile. Lewis in 1956. He also gave a presenta- Bob Nakamura (second from left) and LGBTQ individuals, and NQAPIA, an API tion on the “Stories of the 442nd RCT.” His Don Maekawa (second from right) LGBTQ national organization. Our family Marsha Aizumi is an advocate in the recollection made a lasting impact on the are pictured with members of the 56th is stronger because organizations like these LGBT community and the author of the soldiers of the 56th MMB. Multi-Functional Medical Battalion exist and are working tirelessly and fear- book “Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, “It is hard enough leaving your family in a during their presentation at the French lessly to bring equality and understanding Her Transgender Son and Their Journey stable location, but to leave your family for Theater on Fort Lewis. to all. to Love and Acceptance.”

Having Trouble 5-Year Protection Plan Hearing with the purchase of Ultra Hearing Aids. Only available with Background Noise? through HearUSA.

We have a solution! Introducing Ultra Hearing Aids, exclusively from HearUSA, the first and only hearing aid clinically proven* by two separate studies to provide better than normal hearing in demanding listening situations, such as:

• Dinner at noisy restaurants • Movie theaters and shopping malls • Family get-togethers

FREE Demonstration Risk-Free 60-Day Money Back Guarantee of the new Ultra Hearing Aids! on all hearing aids Call for details. Call for details.

Providing Total Hearing Care in many Southern California Bellflower • Camarillo • Claremont • West Los Angeles • Los Angeles • Pasadena locations and serving Reseda • Sun Valley • Thousand Oaks • Torrance • Valencia • Westminster • Whittier the Japanese- Jami Tanihana, M.A., CCC-A Call Toll Free: 855.804.5652 SouthwestJami Tanihana, Division M.A., Manager CCC-A American Community. Over 30 California Locations Southwest Division Manager

* Studies conducted at University of Northern Colorado (2014) and Oldenburg Horzentrum (2013) showed that Speech Reception Thresholds (SRT) in cocktail-party situations improved up to 2.9dB for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss using the latest BestSound™ Technology with Narrow Directionality, compared to people with normal hearing. This corresponds to over 25% improvement in speech understanding. www.hearusa.com © 2015 HearUSA, All Rights Reserved.

150601 HearUSA June Ultra Ad_Pacific Citizen_10.25x6.5_to run 6-19_01.indd 1 5/12/15 4:00 PM