SPECIAL VETERAN'S DAY ISSUE 3178 VOL 153, NO.9 ISSN: 0030-8579 THE NATIONAL ... SIAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL 2 NOV. 4-17, 2011 SPECIAL VETERAN'S DAY ISSUE PACIFIC ~ CITIZEN IN THIS ISSUE PACIFIC . CITIZEN HOW TO REACH US E-mail: [email protected] JA WWII Vets Voices Online: WoNoN.pacificcitizen.org Receive Gold Gil Asakawa Tel: (213) 620-1767 13. Fax: (213) 620-1768 3. Medal and Mail: 250E.FirstStreet.Suite 301 Los Angeles, CA90012 By Nalea J. Ko Harry Honda STAFF Executive Editor Caroline Y Aoyagi-Stom Assistant Editor Kari Asai is the Calendar Lynda Un Real 'Top Gun' Go See Dol Reporter 4. NaleaJ. Ko By Christine 14. McFadden Business Manager Staci Hisayasu Circulation Eva Lau-Ting Seattle Ceremony Tributes The Pacific Citizen newspaper Planned for Niizawa, (ISSN: Offi0-8579) is published 6. 15. semi-monthly (except once in De­ Ailing Vets Hiura cember and January) by the Japa­ GOLD MEDAL WINNERS: (I-r) Hiro Nishikubo, Bruce Kaji and Don By Nalea J. Ko nese American Citizens League, Seki spoke exclusively with the PC. about this unique honor. Pacific Citizen, 250 E. 1st Street, Suite 301, Los Angeles, CA 90012 NATIONAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT Periodical postage paid at LA., CA Fred Shinoda gets it all wrong POSTMASTER: send address LETTERS (Pacific Citizen, Oct 7-20, 2011) changes to National JACL, 1765 TO THE when he states that I was proud Crisis and Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115 of the JACL dropping the "under JACLPresident: David Kawamoto God" phrase from the Pledge of National Director: Floyd Mori EDITOR Allegiance. I merely explained P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD Commitment Judith Aono, chairperson; Paul what action the board took and why Niwa, EDC; Kevin Miyazaki, MDC; Pledge of Allegiance it was the right policy for us as a By Floyd Mori Bobbi Hanada, CCDC; vacant, NC­ WNPDC; Hugh Burleson, PNWDC; The JACL is not and never has been a religious civil rights organization. This week I had a Jeff Itami, IDC; Cindi Harbottle, organization. That should be clear to all JACLers. And as for the JACL losing PSWDC; Sonya Kuki, youth great opportunity to As the oldest and largest Asian American civil members, I disagree with Shinoda SUBSCRIBE attend a conference and human rights organization in the nation, that the JACL's losing members Get a one-year subscription of the on Confronting Dis­ Pacific Citizen newspaper at: we welcome all who share our beliefs in the because the premise for our crimination in the WoNoN.pacificcitizen.org or call Constitution of the United States and Bill of policies are inclusion and non­ (BOO) 966-6157 Post 9/11 Era that Rights - among them that "Congress shall make discrimination. In fact, we're losing ADVERTISE was sponsored by no law respecting an establishment of religion, or members because not enough JAs To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, George Washington call (800) 966-6157 or e-mail: prohibiting the free exercise thereof. care passionately enough about University and the [email protected] This freedom of religion guarantees each of such things. U.S. Department of LEGAL us the fundamental right to think I don't know John Tateishi No part 01 this pubHcation may be Justice. It was a good chance to learn of the impact whether God exists or not, but I want the right to Former National reproduced without the express per­ on the Muslim, Sikh and South Asian communities mission 01 the Pacific Citizen. think aixmt it. Later, I may wish to speak, publish JACL Director and the attempts of the Department of Justice to Editorials, news and the opinions ex­ and gather others for a discussion - the right to pressed by coklmnists other than the stem the tide of bigotry and racism. speak, press and assemble peacefully. Finally, I national JACL president or national di­ It has been my sense that we did not do a very good rector do not necessarily reflect JACL may wish to circulate a petition for a redress of WRITE TOUS job as there seems to be data that confirms that there poticy. Events and products advertised grievances. Send signed letters with in the Padfic Citizen do not carry the has been little improvement on attitudes toward the Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist your name and address to: impHcK endorsement ot the JACL or affected communities. Particularly among the youth, this publication. We reserve the right to minister, carefully wrote the pledge without any [email protected] or they have experienced an increase in bullying and edit articles. © 2011 reference to any God or superior being. He would Letters name calling. It seems to be a sad commentary on Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, not approve the changes to his pledge any more Pacific Citizen the negative direction our nation is going in terms of Calif and mailing office. than :Michelangelo appreciated the tampering 250 E. First. St. race relations and religious tolerance. of his "Last Judgment" (fresco painting) in the Suite # 301 In the Judeo/Christian values of loving one's Sistine Chapel. Onward! Los Angeles, CA, 90012 neighbor and justice for all, we as a nation seem to JACL MEMBERS Letters are subject to editing Change of Mas Hashimoto be retrogressing. The rhetoric of fear and hate seems for len!jh and clarity. Address Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL SEE MORI/PAGE 15 If you've moved, please send new Bay Area staff members will be information to: Change in Health Plan for JACL Seniors on hand at Contra Costa/Berkeleyl National JACL To reduce costs for our seniors, plans. Staff will be available to Fresno Buddhist Church Diablo JACL, San Francisco the JACL Insurance Services & help with the enrollment process 2720 E. Alluvial JACL, San Mateo JACL and at Francisco, CA 94115 Administrators is changing to a in the following locations: Dec. 3, 10a.m.-4 p.m. Kimochi. Call the JACL Insurance 6 weeks for new medical benefit plan, and a Services office at 800/400-6633 ANAHEIM SACRAMENTO ~ acldrE'ss changes. new prescription drug plan for Orange County Buddhist Church Japanese United Methodist for dates and times. members who are Medicare­ 909 South Dale Ave., Church, 6929 Franklin Blvd. The current JACL seniors To avoid interrup­ eligible in California. The health Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3,1-5 p.m. plans will be discontinued on tions in delivery, plan change will be effective Jan. Jan. 1, so it's important for JACL please notify your LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO 1,2012. seniors to complete enrollment postmaster to JACCC Building JACL Insurance Services In early November, current to avoid a break in coverage. include periodicals 244 S. San Pedro St., Garden 220 Sansome St. #1360 , ....... in your change of Medicare-eligible subscribers will Room B, Nov. 19, 10a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. The enrollment period begins receive information from Blue 30 (call 800/400-6633 to make an on Nov. 14. All forms must address (USPS Shield with details on the new CLOVIS appointment) be submitted by Dec. 30. • Form 3575) JA WORLD WAR II VETERANS RECEIVE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Days before the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in Washington,D.C., some World War II Nisei veterans boarded the Honor Flight to receive Congress' highest civilian honor. By Nalea J. Ko Reporter itting in the Japanese American National Museum, Bruce Kaji explains the significance of different pins attached to his Veterans of Fbreign Wars cap. The pins signify his association with different 5 military organizations. As a veteran who served in World War II with the :Military Intelligence &rvice, Bruce Kaji said he would don his military cap when receiving the Congressional Gold Medal Nov. 2 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C But the 85-year-old jokingly says he will now need to find more space on his cap for a Congressional Gold 11edal pin. "It's going to go on here,"BruceKaji said days before leaving to the ceremony, laughingly pointing to a bare spot on his cap. "I'll make room for it I'll just move it over." ''We'll get a new hat, a bigger hat," said Jon Kaji, Bruce's son, who accompanied his father to the ceremony. The Congressional Gold 1-1edal ceremony honored Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Bruce Kaji, founding chairman of the Japanese American National Museum, reminisces about his service as a MIS sol­ 111S. Over 30,000 JAs served in WWII, the deadliest dier during World War 11 just days before he was to receive a Congressional Gold Medal in Wash., D.C. war in history. Thanks to private donors, replica bronze medals were available for the veteIans. The medal is Congress' highest civilian award. The by Congress. House Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) office celebIation," Sato-Yamazaki said. "The age and health of the list of former recipients includes George Washington, worked closely with the organization to organize the event, veterans prevented many from attending, but weare hoping that Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Fbpe John II and Bob Hope, said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, chair for NVN. they will watch the ceremony live on the Pentagon Channel." amon g others. Honorees from about 26 states across the nation were Days before the ceremony Sato-Yamazaki said some 1,250 The National Veterans Network, a coalition of 25 represented at the ceremony. people were expected to attend the event at the United States JA civic and veteran organizations, including JAG.., "NVN's goal was to ensure that the awarding of the helped to organize the ceremony, which was hosted Congressional Gold Medal ceremony would truly bea national SEE GOLD MEDAL/PAGE 10 TIIANK YOU Thank you veterans for your service and sacrifice 4 NOV, 4-17, 2011 SPECIAL VETERAN'S DAY ISSUE PACIFIC ~ CITIZEN At 5 feet 3 inches tall Kari Asai fell one inch short of the pilot height requirement, but that hasnt stopped her from pursuing a career as a navigator in the U.S.