Japanese American Veterans Association JAVA ADVOCATE Fall 2013 Volume XX—Issue 3 Inside this issue: Admiral Harris Assumes Pacific Fleet Command President’s Message 2 Pacific Fleet to Continue Rebalance Focus CGM in Portland 3 From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs JAVA Commemorates VJ Day 3 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaiʻi - With the USS Arizona and Battleship Missouri JSDF and 7th Div visit NVC 4 Memorials as a backdrop, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. relieved Adm. Cecil D. VA Transforming to Digital 4 Haney as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command cere- Only Two Nisei Surrendered 4 mony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor- to the Japanese Army, Be- Hickam, on October 16, 2013. 1945 Editorial on the 442nd 5 Won Pulitzer "The only thing that makes my depar- ture a little easier is knowing that my Letter “From Somewhere in 5 good friend and Naval Academy class- Burma” Confirmed Nisei mate Adm. Harry Harris is my replace- With Adm. Samuel Locklear III, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, right, looking on, Adm. Cecil D. Japanese American History in 7 ment," said Haney. "He has had an ex- Haney passes through the side boys after being re- ceptional career filled with challenging 7 lieved by Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Saul Conveys Keen Insights in assignments that have more than pre- Pacific Fleet, right center, during a change of com- Honolulu Speech pared him to command the Pacific Fleet. mand ceremony on the Pearl Harbor waterfront. A Profile: Admiral Harris. 8 He knows the Indo-Asia-Pacific region (photo from U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Spe- and fully understands its complexities." cialist Seaman Johans Chavarro) Meet the Generals&Admirals 9 Haney spoke of those complexities, and Cho Promoted June 21 10 how the Navy's historic role in the region will continue to promote security, stability, pros- perity and peace. "Our nation today looks to the future as we rebalance to the Indo-Asia- President Obama Names 10 New VA Deputy Secretary (Continued on page 8) WW II Veterans Honored 11 with Legion of Honor President of New Komeito 11 Spirit of ‘45 Day Honors WW II Service Senators Party Visit General Choi Visits Charlotte 11 The Spirit of 45 Day kicked off this year at the National WW II Memorial in the Nation’s Capital Hall Veterans Home and ended at Punchbowl, Hawaiʻi, on August 11, Koshio Keynotes Lakewood 12 2013. This year’s program honored the late Sena- Heritage Luncheon tors Daniel K. Inouye and Frank Lautenberg, the last WW II veterans to serve in the U.S. Con- Son of JAVA at Waseda Uni- 12 gress and cosponsors of the Spirit of ’45 Day Bill, versity which passed unanimously in 2010. With the Lin- Citizens Patriot Award Pre- 13 coln Memorial in the background, Ken Inouye, sented to 442nd Infantry son of the late Senator, is pictured addressing the large audience. On his left are his wife nd Seattle NVC Honors Senator 13 Jessica and daughter Maggie. On his right are Terry Shima, JAVA representative and 442 veteran; Avery Penn, holding a wartime photo of Senator Inouye; and Lauren Penn, who Inouye spoke on what the Spirit of ‘45 Day means to her. Mrs. Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of the late Senator, attended the Punchbowl ceremony. (Photo by Noriko Sanefuji) PAGE 2 JAVA ADVOCATE FALL 2013 President’s Message On September 16, 2013, we witnessed cans can come together to be strong the senseless attack on Navy Yard em- and to strengthen our resolve that such ployees resulting in 12 innocent persons tragic events will never happen again. being killed in Washington, DC. This at- tack on a US military installation on JAVA’s mission as a veteran service American soil caused an unimaginable loss organization is to help ensure that of life. They died working to protect those who have died in war and those America. They are patriots. who have perished on American soil are honored and their sacrifices are not On September 11th, we commemorated forgotten. the 12th anniversary of the passing of the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks I invite you to JAVA’s annual Veterans at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Day Program at the National Japanese Shanksville, PA. Again, we experienced American Memorial to Patriotism on th the senseless loss of innocent persons. November 11 in Washington, DC and to join us in remembering and honoring I ask that you observe a moment of si- all who are serving and have served. lence to honor these brave Americans With your support, we will keep Amer- and to console their grieving families and ica strong and protected. friends. - Gerald Yamada, Esq. The American people’s reaction to both JAVA President horrific events demonstrates that Ameri- Honorary Chairs Welcome New Members! Senator Daniel Akaka (Ret.) The Honorable Norman Mineta CDR Eric (Rick) Campbell, USN (Ret.) Hershey H. Miyamura, Medal of Honor COL Stacey K. Hirata, USA (Ret.) George Joe Sakato, Medal of Honor Maj Wayne Kodama, USAFR Officers LTC Claude E. Larouche, USA (Ret.) Gerald Yamada, Esq., President MAJ Setsy Sadamoto Larouche, USA (Ret.) Wade Ishimoto, Vice President Lt Col Michael P. Nishimuta, USAF (Ret.) Allen Goshi, Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Ret.), Secretary COL Mark Nozaki, USA Mark Nakagawa, Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Ret.), Treasurer LCDR Jorge M. Shimabukuro, USN Robert Nakamoto, Immediate Past President & Chairperson of CW4 Gary T. Shimizu, USA (Ret.) the Finance Committee CAPT Marcus Baron Yonehiro, USN (Ret.) Executive Council Above Officers plus: Bruce Hollywood, Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret), Executive Director William Houston, Esq., Deputy Executive Director Free Lifetime Grant Ichikawa Memberships to Veterans Janelle Kuroda, Lt., U.S. Navy Reserve Calvin Ninomiya, Esq., General Counsel JAVA is now offering FREE Lifetime Memberships for Veter- Terry Shima ans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, current Kay Wakatake, Lt. Col., U.S. Army military personnel of 100th Battalion-442nd Infantry Regi- Reuben Yoshikawa mental Combat Team, Operation Desert Storm, Operation JAVA Advocate Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Akio Konoshima, Editor Emeritus LTC Kay Wakatake, USA, Editor Emeritus (Application form on page 19 or the JAVA website at Erika L. Moritsugu, Esq., Editor www.javadc.org.) Round Robin (Weekly Electronic Bulletin) Brett Egusa, Lt. Col., U.S. Army Reserve PAGE 3 JAVA ADVOCATE FALL 2013 Congressional Gold Medal Displayed in Portland By MAJ Setsy Sadamoto Larouche, USA (Ret) PORTLAND, Ore. - The Opening Ceremony for the Congres- touching comments on how they were his sional Gold Medal (CGM) exhibit was held at the Oregon His- inspiration to do his best with every aspect tory Museum on August 24, 2013. Portland was selected as of his military service. Secretary Shinseki also one of the seven cities to host the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit met with each veteran privately to thank for the CGM. 17 WWII veterans from the states of Oregon and them for their heroic role in American histo- Washington were in attendance. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) ry and he presented each of them with his delivered brief remarks thanking everyone -- especially veterans coin. Senator Wyden also spoke, stressing from the 100th Bn, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the the importance of the CGM award to these Military Intelligence Service -- for their service to America while units, and how their contribution to the vic- their families were being incarcerated in ten camps around the tory of World War II was such a great General Eric United States. American story. Lynn Longfellow introduced Shinseki, Secretary each of the veterans, followed by brief re- of the Department marks from Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Chair- of Veterans Affairs, speaking person, National Veterans Network. in Portland, Oregon, to honor The program day wrapped up at the Hilton Nisei veterans. Hotel that evening with the showing of the (Photo from Curtis documentary Searchlight Serenade introduced Suyematsu, Reflections by artist Amy Uyeki. Portland’s own Photography) Minidoka Swing Band played after the screening and everyone had a wonderful time dancing to the music of the forties. The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center features “Our Humble He- roes” until Jan 5, 2014, which features stories from Pearl Har- bor, the European and Pacific Campaigns, and the training camps here on the home front. L-R: Tex Irinaga, 442nd Veteran; Lynn Longfellow, Executive Director of O.N.E. ; Kaz Oda (seated), 442nd Veteran; Richard Iwata, MIS Veteran; We are grateful for the sponsors for our events: The Oregon Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Chairperson, NVN; Setsy Larouche, Past Com- mander, Oregon Nisei Veterans; Japan Consul General Furusawa; Kerry Nikkei Endowment; The Oregon History Museum; The Smith- Tymchuk, Executive Director, Oregon Historical Society; Mrs. Antoi- sonian; the National Veterans Network; Cole Chemical; AARP; nette Hatfield, Widow of Senator Mark Hatfield; and Sho Dozono, Comcast/NBC Universal; JAVA; The Pritzker Military Library; Honorary Chair of the American Heroes Luncheon. (Photo by Curtis Southwest Air Lines; and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Suyematsu, Reflections Photography) Local support was provided by: The Freeman Foundation; The Following the opening ceremony, the veterans were shuttled to Confederate Tribe of Grand Ronde; the Japanese Ancestral the Hilton Hotel for a luncheon held to honor them for their Society of Portland; KGW News Channel 8; KINK FM; The Bill sacrifice and service to our nation. Over 300 people attended Naito Family; Samuel T. and Mary K. Naito Foundation; the the luncheon and heard from The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Oregonian; Oregon Nisei Veterans; Portland Business Alliance; Secretary of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who spoke Portland JACL; Pat & Trudy Ritz; and the Seattle Nisei Veterans about the courage and inspiration of the honored veterans with Committee.