JAVA Advocate, March 2009 Edition
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Japanese American Veterans Association JAVA ADVOCATE March 2009 Volume XVI1—Issue 1 Inside this issue: JAVA members participate in US Constitution President’s Message 2 reading at Newseum; viewable on YouTube GFBNEC holds teachers 3 tinguished cast of readers, which included training WASHINGTON—On January 18th, People For the American Way Foundation leading figures in the arts, government, Duckworth nominated to 4 (www.pfaw.org) hosted a reading of the and media. The reading was held before a high VA post U.S. Constitution to commemorate the his- live studio audience at the Newseum in Washington, DC, and was simulcast in the JA leaders meet with Japan 5 toric inauguration of President Barack building's Great Hall. There is perhaps no leaders Obama and to embrace the document that Cherry Blossom festival is the foundation of our rights and liberties. better time than the inauguration of a new events president to renew our commitment to the JAVA members Grant Ichikawa and Kelly Constitution and what it stands for: equal- News from Other Vet Orgs 6 Kuwayama were part of a diverse and dis- ity and justice for all. SGT Rock: The Lost Batta- lion released You can watch Ichikawa and Kuwayama read Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution on JAVA luncheons 7 YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch? JAVA opposes hold on Nisei v=sHOZKNu71_w&feature=PlayList&p=A8242AFCAAA66814&index=7, and you can view vet stamp proposal the entire event at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A8242AFCAAA66814. You Meet the Generals and 8 can also do a search on www.youtube.com by typing “2009 Inaugural Reading of the Consti- Admirals tution” and look for “8. Grant Ichikawa and Kelly Kuwayama in 2009 Inaugural Reading of the Constitution.” Shinseki appointed Secre- 9 tary of VA Tchen new White House public liaison Fundraising for JA Nat’l War Memorial Court Nisei vet archives at UH 10 preservation by Robert Wada, Founding President, JAKWV JAVA scholarship applica- tions due April 22 [Reprinted with permission from Editor, petual fund to be held in an invested trust JAKWV Newsletter, Bacon Sakatani ] for the future use by our young people who Benefits for Filipino WWII 11 will be continuing with the care and upkeep Veterans LOS ANGELES—A new current fund rais- of the Japanese American War Memorials. Spotlight on Dr. Furukawa ing project for the Japanese American Na- The war memorials list the names of the Welcome new members tional War Memo- Japanese Ameri- rial Court located A Debt of Gratitude 12 cans killed in at the Japanese action in the JAVA outreach at schools 13 American Cultural nations’ wars of and Community WWII, Korea, Brothers on opposite sides 14 Center in the Lit- of Pacific war Vietnam, as well tle Tokyo section as those killed JAVA out and about 15 of Los Angeles has on the Island of Taps officially begun. Grenada, in Co-chairmen Fred Iraq, and the Taps (continued) 16 Hoshiyama and sinking of the From the Editor 17 Sam Shimoguchi U.S.S. Maine in Thank You Donors have announced 1898. Membership Application plans for a monu- mental task of Vietnam War veterans pay tribute to fallen comrades. [see fundraising JAVA Contact Information 18 raising over L-R: Jerry Yamamoto, Ken Hayashi, James Masaki, and on page 4] Upcoming Events $350,000 for a per- David Miyoshi. Photo credit: Robert Wada. PAGE 2 JAVA ADVOCATE MARCH 2009 ticipate in the 20th anniversary of cabi- I continue to thank the JAVA mem- President’s Message net level status of Veterans Affairs bers who donate their time without which was sponsored by President compensation and pay for their own The 1st quarter of Ronald Reagan. Secretary Shinseki was expenses for all JAVA-related activi- 2009 has been a very the keynote speaker. ties. productive and busy quarter for JAVA. The January lunch- The JAVA membership continues to The next quarter will continue to be eon was very well grow, and additional donations are be- busy for JAVA members. We will be attended by members ing received. A large percentage of an- participating in the Freedom Walk and friends. The nual members have converted to life in partnership with National Japa- highlight was the awarding of Bronze membership. We are pleased with the nese American Memorial Founda- Star Medals to veterans or their sur- continued growth, and we welcome any tion. We will also have a booth, vivors. Vice Admiral Harris, Major referrals of potential new members to thanks to the Japan America Society General Antonio Taguba (Ret), and our organizations. of WDC, at the National Cherry Deputy Assistant Lynn Heirakuji par- Blossom Festival Parade area. The ticipated in the presentation. The Bob Wada, a JAVA life member, along month of May, Asian American Pa- Army Human Resource Command with California colleagues, have invited cific Heritage Month, we will join told JAVA that over 100 Japanese JAVA to participate to further develop JACL WDC in a memorial service at Americans worldwide will belatedly “The Wall” of Japanese Americans who Arlington National Cemetery. We receive the Bronze Service Medal. were killed in line of duty starting from will also parade down Constitution the Spanish/American War in 1898 to Avenue. At our May quarterly luncheon, we will be awarding schol- Congratulations to Major Tammy the present. We are campaigning to arships to students who will be en- Duckworth, Iraq War veteran and a solicit donations from JAVA members tering college. Also, we will con- friend of JAVA, who was appointed by and others to donate to this worthwhile tinue to host luncheons for out of President Obama to be the Depart- cause. town visitors. ment of Veterans Affairs’ Assistant In February I traveled to Portland, Ore- Secretary of Public and Intergovern- —Bob Nakamoto mental Affairs. JAVA plans to sup- gon, and awarded an honorary life mem- port her when she appears for her bership and the Patriotism Plaque to confirmation hearing at the U.S. Sen- Mrs. Kiyoko Taubkin. The ceremony ate Committee on Veterans Affairs. took place at the retirement community Honorary Chairs We also congratulate Senator Daniel where Mrs. Taubkin resides to a full Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senate Inouye, Chairman of the U.S. Senate attendance in the auditorium. Several Senator Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and other JAVA members from Oregon and Wash- S. Phil Ishio, COL, USAR (Ret) members of Congress, for the passage ington State attended the ceremony. The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta of legislation which recognized Fili- Mrs. Taubkin made a significant dona- pino war veteran’s service as part of tion to JAVA on behalf of furthering Officers the US military in WW II. The legis- JAVA’s programs. Robert Nakamoto, President lation provided recognition to an esti- Bruce Hollywood, Col, USAF (Ret), mated 18,000 Filipino veterans with a I wish to thank the Go For Broke Na- Secretary tax-free cash payment. Senator tional Education Center for conducting Earl Takeguchi, LTC, USA (Ret), Inouye stated, “These men have the Teachers Training Workshop of Vir- Treasurer served with honor and deserve noth- ginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools, ing less then honor from the govern- an excellent follow-up of a similar work- Board of Directors ment of the United States.” shop held last year for Maryland’s Above Officers plus: Montgomery County Public Schools. Grant Ichikawa This is an excellent complement to JAVA, along with other organizations, S, Phil Ishio, COL, USAR (Ret) enthusiastically supported the nomi- JAVA’s education program. Bert Mizusawa, BG, USAR nation of General Eric Shinseki (Ret) Calvin Ninomiya to become the Secretary of Veterans Five JAVA WW II veterans have fallen Terry Shima, Executive Director Affairs. He was endorsed by the Sen- during the last quarter. JAVA’s condo- ate Veterans Affairs Committee, lences were offered to the families of Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA Chaired by Senator Daniel Akaka, Paul Tani; Marine Captain Glenn Nel- Michael Yaguchi, Lt Col, USAF (Ret), and supported by Senator Inouye and son; Dr. Horace Z. Feldman, MIS; Dr. Deputy Executive Director former Senator Bob Dole. Shinseki Kenneth Takemoto, 100th Bn, 442nd Gerald Yamada, General Counsel was confirmed on January 20. Sev- RCT; and Shinkichi Tajiri, 442nd veteran Reuben Yoshikawa eral JAVA members attended the and world-class sculptor. They will be committee hearings. On March 15, missed, and they have left a rich legacy. JAVA ADVOCATE JAVA, along with other veteran ser- Akio Konoshima, Editor Emeritus vice organizations, was invited to par- Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA, Editor MARCH 2009 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 3 GFBNEC and partners hold teachers training in Virginia FALLS CHURCH, VIR.—The Go For Broke National The GFBNEC trainers were two educational consultants, Education Center (GFBNEC) of Torrance, California, both retired California school teachers. Esther Taira has and partners National Japanese American Memorial 36 years of experience in education, including teaching at Foundation (NJAMF) and Japanese American Veterans Foshay Middle School and Lincoln High School, both in Association (JAVA) held a one-day teachers training Los Angeles, and Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Ja- workshop for 21 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) pan with the Department of Defense. Mark Elinson has a teachers on March 10, 2009, at Jeb Stuart High School similar length of service at Lincoln High School and other in Falls Church, Virginia. This is the second of such schools. He also served as curriculum consultant at program held by GFBNEC and partners. The first was schools and institutions.