Park News National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior The official newspaper of National Mall and Memorial Parks National Mall Times May 2012 · Volume 5, Issue 5 Activities 2 Plan Your Visit 10 More Inside! Honoring Service and Sacrifice Japanese Blood, Ranger Paul O’Brian American Patriot n this Memorial Day, let us remember a Ranger Mike Townsend Oparticular generation of unique Americans who gave something to us that is more important n the National Mall and Memorial Parks, than ourselves. The World War II generation had Iwar veterans memorials serve as symbols of a sense of pride in their service, sacrifice, and American patriotism and as reminders of those determination to win the war. The World War who fought for our freedom. At these memorials, II Memorial is unique because it recognizes a the courage and sacrifice of our veterans will be generation of Americans who shaped the world recognized forever. The World War II, Korean we live in today. Visitors who visit the memorial War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials often recall stories of their relatives’ experiences on the National Mall, and the Japanese American during this particular time in history. For many Memorial to Patriotism near Union Station Plaza, it can be an emotional experience since the are some of the special places of remembrance for memorial represents a universal expression of veterans, their families, and their friends. All four their stories. of these places have a special meaning for Jimmie Kanaya, a decorated Japanese American veteran As I remember my parents on this Memorial of three wars. Day, the first thought that runs through my mind is when they would take my siblings and In 1941, Kanaya enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was me to a battlefield or a cemetery. Memorial Day Joan and Thomas O’Brian stationed at Pearl Harbor several months before was originally called Decoration Day, a day of and during Japan’s surprise attack on December Visitors to the memorial often tell a story similar remembrance for those who have died in the 7, 1941. After the attack, President Franklin to that of my parents. You may find it familiar. My Civil War. Like many Americans who visit the Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, forcing father was a soldier and my mother was a “Rosie memorial, it reminds me of my upbringing. the relocation of 110,000 Japanese Americans to the Riveter” who worked as a bank teller during internment camps. Being of Japanese ancestry Service continued on page 6 after Pearl Harbor made life very difficult, because like so many Japanese American young recruits, Kanaya was treated with disrespect after Welcome to National Mall the attack, even though he saw himself as fully American before and after Pearl Harbor. He was and Memorial Parks still loyal to the United States, even under those challenging circumstances. Superintendent Bob Vogel honor and remember our veterans, especially those who gave their Kanaya served as a medic with the 442nd n behalf of the National Park lives in service at home and Regimental Combat Team in Italy during World OService, welcome to National abroad. This month, we extend a War II. While his battalion was attacked by Mall and Memorial Parks! Here special welcome to our veterans, an intense artillery and mortar barrage near you can visit some of America’s their families, their friends and Calstallina, Italy, Sergeant Kanaya went back iconic landmarks and memorials supporters who gather here at the and forth rendering assistance to nine seriously that celebrate and commemorate National Mall to reflect, remember, wounded men, giving first aid and getting them our nation’s heritage. and honor all who served. back to safer areas. He was awarded the Silver For generations, millions of This month’s newspaper Star for his gallantry. In a 2004 interview he said, people have come to the National includes information about the “We had to prove ourselves worthy of recognition Mall to experience the grandeur park’s many features, a schedule when we came back to the States and that our of these special places and to of interpretive programs by our parents and the rest of the Japanese American reflect on what it means to be an Superintendent Bob Vogel park rangers, and other activities American. Many people come to and resources. You will also find Patriot continued on page 7 exercise their First Amendment rights because of articles that pay tribute to Memorial Day and National Mall and Memorial Parks the park’s proximity to our seat of government. Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. 900 Ohio Dr., S.W. Phone: 202-426-6841 For others, the National Mall is a neighborhood The staff and volunteers of the National Washington, D.C. 20024 www.nps.gov/nama park used for recreation and exercise. No matter Mall are available to tell you about the park, Radio: 1670 AM what their reason, all who visit are part of a legacy answer your questions and help you make the that stretches back centuries. most of your time here in America’s front yard. National Mall Times Staff Memorial Day, one of our important Enjoy your visit! Editor-In-Chief: Nathan King traditions here at the National Mall, is a day to Editors: Stacy Shannon, Michael Kelly National Mall Times 1 Ranger Programs & Activities Daily Programs Saturday, May 5, 2012 What: Free site tours and interpretive talks Spring Bird Walk Walking Tour, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Join a National Park Ranger as we try to locate Where: Lincoln, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam and identify birds located in West Potomac Park Veterans, World War II, Franklin Delano and the Tidal Basin. Location: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thomas Roosevelt Memorial. Contact: Robert Steele (202) Jefferson Memorials 438-9574. When: Daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00 p.m. Your Right to Have an Opinion about Washington...the City, Not the President! Special Programs Walking Tour, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. A short walking tour of Freedom Plaza with a Tuesday, May 1, 2012 focus on the carved quotations of many previous visitors and their opinions of Washington. Location: Freedom Plaza. Contact: David Newson How World War I Birthed Monty (202) 606-8691. Python Walking Tour, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. On This Day in History So many certainties prior to 1914 died in World Bike Tour, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. War I. Much of today’s world came from that Some dates are easily remembered, while some NPS conflict, including Monty Python! Location: events defy dating and seem to span lifetimes. World War II Memorial. Contact: Lowell Fry (202) Journey to other ages to bring the past to life. Sunday, May 6, 2012 438-9603. Location: Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Contact: Richard Ayad (202) 438-3456. African American Life on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Pennsylvania Avenue Four Score and Four Years: From the Walking Tour, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Early Days of Pennsylvania Avenue Civil War to World War II Come and join a ranger for a one hour walk and Walking Tour, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Walking Tour, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. learn about African American life on Pennsylvania Take a stroll through time down Pennsylvania Visit the memorials marking three deadly Avenue. Location: Old Post Office Tower- Ben Avenue. Learn about the early visions of conflicts, and in comparing them, learn how they Franklin statue. Contact: Shunda Yates (202) 606- Washington, D.C. and how it came to exist on the are interrelated. Location: Lincoln Memorial. 8691. banks of the Potomac River. Location: Old Post Contact: Lowell Fry (202) 438-9603. Office Tower- Ben Franklin statue. Contact: Jason Secret History of the Indian Wars in Barna (202) 606-8691. Long Live the Revolution Washington, D.C.’s Monuments Walking Tour, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bike Tour, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012 Please join us for a walking tour of the Explore a hidden dimension of the National Mall’s revolutionary ideas that link the memorials to the memorials and discover surprising connections liberators of Latin America. Location: Meet at the Battle of Williamsburg to American Indians’ past. Location: Thomas Foggy Bottom Metro. Contact: Mike Balis 438- Jefferson Memorial. Contact: Nathan King (202) Living History, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 9710. 329-7713. Visit with a ranger in Civil War period clothing to learn about the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862 and its effect on the United States Civil War. Location: America’s Armed Forces of World Art at the Park - Program Series Lincoln Memorial. Contact: Mike Rose (202) 438- War II 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. See page 5 for details. 9667. Ranger Talk, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. We will view the bronze time-line panels and Culture Clash at the Lincoln Coral Sea: Japan’s First Stop in the photos of the people, the machines, and the battles of the U.S. in World War II which where pivotal in Memorial: Nixon’s Nighttime Visit Pacific bringing freedom to the world. Location: World Ranger Talk, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Ranger Talk, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. War II Memorial. Contact: Victor Pillow (202) 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 is 841-1774.