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Go For Broke BULLETIN 442 nd VETERANS CLUB VOL 65, No 3, APRIL - JUNE 2013 A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Veterans Day Ceremony at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery

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  • 21

    Go For Broke

    BULLETIN442nd VETERANS CLUB

    VOL 65, No 3, APRIL - JUNE 2013 A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION

    Veterans Day Ceremony at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery

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    Go For Broke

    442 OFFICERS FOR 2013President ..................................................... William Y. Thompson

    1st Vice President ......................................................... Frank Takao

    2nd Vice President ................................................... Ralph Chinaka

    3rd Vice President ..................................................... Wade Wasano

    4th Vice President ............................................................. Eichi Oki

    Treasurer ............................................................... Takashi Shirakata

    Secretary ..................................................................... Esther Umeda

    Executive Secretary ...................................................Shirley Igarashi

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    CONTRIBUTORS................................................................................Page

    President’s Report ........................................................................................... 2Taps ................................................................................................................ 2Donations ........................................................................................................ 3Editor’s Report .................... Henry Kuniyuki .................................................... 3Feature Story ................................................................................................... 4Regimental HQ .................... Henry Kuniyuki .................................................... 5AT ....................................... Committee of Three ................................ No NewsCannon ............................... John Mikasa ....................................................... 5Medics ................................................................................................No NewsService ................................................................................................No NewsHQ2 .................................... Robert Uyeda, et al ............................................. 7Easy ...................................................................................................No NewsFox...................................... Ron Oba ............................................................ 8George ................................ Ann Kabasawa ................................................... 9Howe................................... Yutaka Yoshida & Mildred Tahara .............No NewsHQ3 .................................... Satoru & Jane Shikasho.......................... No NewsItem..................................... Ed Yamasaki ...................................................... 9King .................................... Eichi Oki .................................................No NewsLove .................................... Genro & Muriel Kashiwa.................................... 12Mike .................................... Shiro Aoki ............................................... No News522 Able ..............................................................................................No News522 Baker ............................ Ted & Fuku Tsukiyama ............................No News522 Charlie ..........................................................................................No News232 Eng/Band...................... Fujio Matsuda ................................................... 13Sons & Daughters ............... Gail Nishimura .................................................. 14Other News ................................................................................................... 16Announcements ............................................................................................ 20

    VOL. 65, No. 3, April - June 2013Published Quarterly

    EDITORIAL STAFFEditor ........................................................... Henry KuniyukiEditor Emeritus ........................................... Oscar TsukayamaProduction ........................................................ Claire MitaniPrinting ................................................... Edward Enterprises

    Cover: Boyan Higa (522B) represented the 442ndVeterans Club at the Governor’s Memorial Dayceremonies at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery inKaneohe.

    Photo courtesy Higa family

    Go For Broke is the official bulletin of the 442nd Veterans Club. Contributors may submit reports to: Editor, Go ForBroke Bulletin, 933 Wiliwili Street, Honolulu, HI 96826; e-mail: [email protected]. Please submit reports onCD (saved in MS Word in Windows format) or email to 442 office. For more information, contact (808) 949-7997.Deadlines for 2013 submissions: April 5, July 5, October. 4 and January 6, 2014.

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    by Frank Takao

    IN MEMORIAMDeepest sympathies to the families & friends of

    the following:

    Due to the resignation of President BillThompson, I was elevated to his position inaccordance with the by-laws of the Club. Effortswere made to have Bill reconsider but he stated thathis resignation was “absolute and final”. We thankhim for his long service and wish him well and hopehe will continue to take interest in the club affairs.As his successor I will do my best to move the Clubforward and act in the best interest of the Club at alltimes.

    It is with deep regret that I must announce thepassing of Albert “Oscar” Tsukayama, our bulletineditor. He has done an excellent job informing themembers of the activities of the Club. Service andinterment for Oscar was held on Friday, July 12, 2013at Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific.

    The railing outside our apartments becamedefective with time and needed repairs. The railings

    also were not in accordance with the requirementsof the City ordinance. For the safety of the tenants,we have entered into a contract with SC PacificCorporation to fix and meet the requirements of theCity ordinance for $89,171.00. The matter wasapproved by the Board.

    The Honpa Hongwanji Judo Club, there arenine of them, wish to promote, preserve andperpetuate the legacy of the 442nd. They wish to doit by having an essay contest in each club about the442nd and award the nine winners the 442nd torchsymbol to wear for their tournament and all futuretournaments locally and nationally and award the3-inch 442nd patch to the most outstanding Judostudent in every tournament. The 442nd wishes tothank them most sincerely, the nine Judo Clubs, fortheir thoughfulness and for promoting further thelegacy of the 442nd.

    The Sons & Daughters are in charge of the 71st

    annual banquet at the Pacific Beach Hotel on March23, 2014. They have already prepared a tentativeprogram. Thank you Sons & Daughters!

    Fujiki, Shigeru Tom (I Co./HQ Co.) Apr. 16, 2013Fukushima, Dr. Taira (Medic) May 18, 2013Hino, Kenji (RHQ) Mar. 30, 2013Hirai, James Iwao (L Co.) Mar. 3, 2013Hiraiwa, Dave Susumu (3rd HQ) Apr. 22, 2013Inouye, Walter Wataru (522B) Mar. 8, 2013Iwamoto, David (K Co.) May 14, 2013Iwamoto, George A. (100th Med/K) Apr. 27, 2013Kagawa, Buddy Y. (K Co.) Apr. 29, 2013Kobata, Allan Takashi (442 HQ) Oct. 14, 2012Kodama, Mitsuo (F Co.) Apr. 14, 2013Kunishige, Tadashi (H Co.) Mar. 7, 2013Matoi, Naotomo “Neka” (E Co.) Mar. 25, 2013Miyamoto, Kenneth “Lefty” (RHQ) Apr. 20, 2013Miyashiro, Tasuku (Anti-Tank) Mar. 17, 2013

    Nagaki, Tadashi “Tad” (2HQ/MIS) Apr. 22, 2013Nikaido, Reginald (232nd Eng.) Apr. 15, 2013Okamoto, George T. (I Co.) Apr. 25, 2013Okano, Herbert Hiroshi (Medic) Mar. 13, 2013Okuhara, Takashi (H Co.) Apr. 30, 2013Oshiro, Shigeru (522A) Apr. 18, 2013Oshiro, William T. (522HQ) Apr., 3, 2013Ouchi, Albert Y. (522A) May 2, 2013Ouchi, Katsumi (K Co.) Mar. 30, 2013Sakamoto, Walter (522HQ) Feb. 21, 2013Sato, Tada (171st) Apr. 8, 2013Segawa, Fred Hitashi (AT/Serv) Apr. 16, 2013Shigehara, Wataru (2nd HQ) Mar. 13, 2013Tachibana, Sadao (H Co.) Mar. 7, 2013Takahashi, Mitsuru “Mits” (L Co.) May 14, 2013Yamada, Susumu (2nd HQ) Feb. 14, 2013Yamada, Yoshito (M Co.) Apr. 29, 2013Yamaki, Joe T. (H Co.) Nov. 21, 2012Yokoi, Feb Sadanori (Medic) May 2, 2013Yorizane, Takashi “Tak” (E Co.) Apr. 19, 2013Yukawa, John Junichi (Cannon) May 14, 2013

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    Donations

    Many thanks to the following for their generosity

    and support.

    Go For Broke Bulletin

    442nd Veterans Club

    Carolyn Lynn Akiyama $1,000 (IMO Makio “Mickey” Akiyama, I Co)Sumi Hirasaki (IMO Manabi Hirasaki) $500Hiroshi Kaku $100Clinton Shiraishi $100Florence Sukita $200Tadao Yoshimoto $100Zukeran Family $1,000

    Hiroshi Kaku $100Clinton Shiraishi $100

    ScholarshipHiroshi Kaku $100

    by Henry Kuniyuki

    The 442nd Veterans Club was first organized in1946 if the historical data is correct. The late ReverendMasao Yamada had the honor of being elected the firstpresident as the Club was sanctioned by the HawaiiState Legislature. The late George Miki was responsiblefor the establishment of both the 442nd Veterans Cluband the Livorno Chapter.

    To date a total of 46 presidents have their portraitsdisplayed on the wall of the 442nd Veterans Club. Thenames of these past presidents and their years of serviceare published “for the record,” researched by the RHQChapter’s member Ruby Kawada:

    1. The Rev. Masao Yamada (1946)2. Tadao Beppu (1946)3. William Oshiro (1947)4. Isao “Ike” Ikehara (1947)

    5. George Miki (1948-1949) 6. Daniel Aoki (1950) 7. Ben Ono (1951) 8. Matsuo Takabuki (1952) 9. Masato Doi (1953)10. Walter Matsumoto (1954-55)11. Stanley Watanabe (1956-57)12. Clarence Taba (1958)13. Fred Ida (1959)14. Dr. Kobe Shoji (1960)15. Kenneth Saruwatari (1961)16. Takao Hedani (1962-63)17. Neil Kosasa (1964-65)18. Takashi Nakamura (1966)19. Katsugo Miho (1967)20. Francis Sugai (1968-69)21. Edward Ochiai (1970)22. Thomas Kiyosaki (1971)23. Michio Takata (1972)24. Kenneth Okuma (1973-74)25. Edward Sakai (1975-76)26. Katsuji Nakamura (1977-78)27. Thomas Tanaka (1979)28. Edward Tamanaha (1980-81)29. Ernest Uno (1982-83)30. Stanley Kaneshiro (1984)31. George M. Nakasato (1985-86)32. Rodney Yamashiro (1987-88)33. Akira “Sunshine” Fukunaga (1989)34. Harold K. Fukunaga (1990-91)35. Ron M. Oba (1992-93)36. Henry S. Kuniyuki (1994-95)37. Paul A. Takiguchi (1996)38. Robert N. Katayama (1997-98; 1998-99)39. Kenneth Okuma (1999)40. S. Don Shimazu (2000)41. Katsugo Miho (2001)42. Eichi Oki (2002-03)43. Edwin Goto (2004-05)44. Ronald Oba (2006)45. William Y. Thompson (2007-11)46. Ron M. Oba (2012)

    Sincere appreciation is expressed to RubyKawada for researching the presidential data. Mahaloand Aloha!

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    Feature Story

    Robert S. Arakaki passed away on April 5of this year at the age of 89. A native of Waipahu,Oahu, he was drafted in September 1944 andjoined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team duringthe last campaign in Italy. He was assigned toCompany B of the 100th Battalion, which was the1st Battalion of the Combat Team. He saw actionduring the North Apennines campaign whichresulted in the demolishing of the Gothic Line northof the Arno River and, finally, ending at the PoRiver at which time the Germans in Italysurrendered in May 1945.

    Robert was the last 100th Infantry Battalioncombat veteran to serve as President of the 100th

    Infantry Battalion Veterans Club. He servedseveral years before stepping down to a new

    generation. Robert ably represented the 100th

    veterans at ceremonies at Pearl Harbor, NMCP,and at other occasions where the WWII veteranswere honored. Being born and raised in Waipahu,he remembered the December7 bombing of PearlHarbor as the planes flew over their town; thenwitnessed the smoke arising from the shatteredPearl Harbor naval base.

    Robert and his wife, Nancy, never missed achance to jo in the 442 nd Veterans Clubanniversaries. He felt the bond between the Clubsand strived to keep this kinship alive. He becameill and spent the months before his death at theVeterans Affairs Center for Aging. Funeralservices were held on May 6 followed byinurnment at the NMCP at Punchbowl.

    Robert and Nancy pose with actor Cary-HiroyukiTagawa at the 442nd Veterans Club 69th AnniversaryBanquet Photo: Wayne Iha

    Photo courtesy: 100th Infantry Battalion VeteransEducation Center website (www.100thbattalion.org)

    A Tribute to Robert Arakakiby Bill Thompson

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    by Henry Kuniyuki

    After many years, the Livorno/RegimentalHeadquarters Chapter has become inactive, a saddecision of the Chapter officers. Thus, there will beno monthly Chapter meetings hereafter. However,individual RHQ chapter members may participate atthe 442nd Veterans Club’s annual banquets andMemorial Services, if and when scheduled.

    Charter President Henry Kuniyuki’s home-office library has, at present, one-hundred-thirty-sixissues of the Go For Broke Bulletin on file. TheMembership Roster, dated January 9, 2009, has

    thirty-four names of members and their respectivespouses listed. When the Chapter was firstorganized, the membership role totaled eighty-plus.The publishing of their names is precluded by thePrivacy Act.

    Chapter Reporter ’s final article endsappropriately with the publishing of the words of“Aloha Oe”: “Aloha oe, Aloha oe, eke ona ona nohoikalipo, one fond embrace ahoi aeau. Until we meetagain.”

    Arrivederci!

    by John Mikasa

    It has been a quiet quarter for our local CannonChapter. Members have been involved in travelling,personal business matters, as well as coping with oldage health matters. Moreover, our usual luncheonmeeting location, Zippy’s at Vineyard St., has beenunder renovation.

    We have lost three more members recently.Toki Shimizu; Barbara Okino, widow of Tom inHonolulu; and John Yukawa of California. We extenddeep condolences to their families.

    Our annual reunion in Las Vegas was held onMay 2-5, 2013. Our Cannon Sons & Daughtersorganization has been conducting the reunion the pastfew years, doing excellent work.

    Seated L to R: Sumi Sugihara, Tsuka Murakami, andMay NittaStanding L to R: Frank Sugihara, Jerry Gustafson,Tsutomu Okabayashi, and Yukie Murakami

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    Alan Ugai, son of Alice and the late NormanUgai, has forwarded the following:

    The Cannon Company held their annual reunionin Las Vegas at the Fremont Hotel, May 2-5, 2013.The Cannon Company families traveled from Hawaii,California, Texas, Colorado and Nevada to attend.The Veterans and spouses that were able to attendwere Gerald Gustafson, Tsuka and Yukie Murikami,Tommie Okabayashi, Frank and Sumi Sugihara andYoshiko Yamagata and May Nitta. Sons anddaughters in attendance were Roger Yoshinari, JudiMurakami, Matt Nitta, Iris Yamagata, Shirley Cassell,Alan Ugai and Eric and Lynn Gustafson.

    For over the past 20 years Fremont Hotel andCasino has played host to the reunion thanks to arelationship originally established by John Kashiki andnow kept intact by the sons and daughters.

    Those who arrived early Thursday, joinedtogether for an impromptu gathering for dinner at theFremont Paradise Buffet and Cafe. The small group

    enjoyed an evening of dining and catching up on theevents of the past year. In the Cannon Companytraditional style, the hospitality room was open theentire weekend, filled with many snacks, includingfresh pineapple from Hawaii and fresh fruit fromCalifornia. Whenever the Cannoneers gather, thereis bound to be food.

    The entire reunion group went to lunch onSaturday at Makino at Premium Outlets-North. Theseemingly endless line of sushi and desserts wereregarded with great pleasure by all. Many of thegroup also enjoyed shopping at the many shops atthe outlet mall.

    Sunday, May Nitta’s 90th birthday wascelebrated with a birthday cake.

    The 2014 Las Vegas Reunion for the CannonCompany is tentatively scheduled for April 24-28,2014 at the Fremont Hotel in Las Vegas. Forinformation on the 2014 reunion, Alan Ugai can bee-mailed at [email protected].

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    by Robert Uyeda, et al

    Wataru Shigehara died on March 13, 2013.He was born in Onomea on the Big Island. Hevolunteered for the 442nd RCT in 1943 and was withthe Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion. He wasin the Headquarters platoon and assigned to the I&RSection. Among his team were Patrick Nakagawa,Asami Higuchi, George Oka and MasayoshiYamamoto. After being discharged he returned toplantation life and retired as a supervisor for MaunaKea Sugar Company. Wataru last joined us inHonolulu during the Congressional Gold Medalceremony in December 2011. He was the last knownHq2nd veteran living on the Big Island. He is survivedby sons, Glen Shigehara and Keith (Janet) Shigeharaof Hilo. Other survivors include four grandchildrenand five great-grandchildren.

    Controversy Over Sons & DaughtersAt the June 3rd Board of Directors meeting,

    those present were shocked to learn that BillThompson had submitted his resignation as presidenteffective May 10. In his resignation letter he referredto the charge made of the Sons and Daughters being“kicked out” of the Club. This came about when arequest was made to re-visit the Board’s action onItem 7 at the May 6 Board meeting previouslyapproved in March as part of our program to complywith tax regulations relating to our status of a non-profit social club. Item 7 reads: “To avoid any conflict andmisunderstanding of the position of the 442nd VeteransClub, the Nisei Legacy Center will be advised todiscontinue using our Club’s address, phone numberand secretarial service.” Somehow this was construedto mean that the Sons and Daughters would beprevented (kicked out) from using the Club since theyare handling the Nisei Veterans Legacy Center projectand, therefore, Item 7 should be repealed.

    However, part of the Club’s program relating tothe tax compliance included specific items such as:

    Sale of books and merchandise at ouranniversary gathering will be by the Sons andDaughters, no other person(s) will be allowed tosell any books or goods. (Item 4)

    Another item specified:No person or organization except the Sons

    and Daughters shall be allowed to use our Club’saddress, phone or secretarial service for the saleof books or merchandise with the amendment toallow the sale of Dorothy Matsuo’s book.(Item 5)

    Another item specifically states:The organizations that are allowed to use

    our address, phone number, and secretarialservice are the 442nd RCT Foundation and theSons and Daughters. (Item 6)

    In light of the action to allow the Nisei VeteransLegacy Center to use the Club’s address, phonenumber and secretary’s service based on the “falseclaim” that the Sons and Daughters would then notbe kicked out, Bill felt his effort to preserve the non-profit status of the Club was a lost cause. He felt hecould no longer continue as president. His actionsto give the Sons and Daughters preferential treatmentwere ignored and he was being falsely accused of“kicking out” the Sons and Daughters.

    The irony of this is that it is common knowledgethat the Sons and Daughters have been using the Clubpremises for their business which has included theNisei Veterans Legacy Center; and there is no moveto prevent this or to “kick them out.” Puzzling is thefact that the President of the Sons and Daughterswas at the meeting and could have clarified thisallegation about the use of the Club’s premises.

    We urge the Board to restore Item 7 to the listof 8 items relating to our tax compliance program.

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    by Ron Oba

    Basho I am notBut listen to all his poemsResonate in Ear

    Failed to mention Yukio Okutsu as a Medal ofHonor recipient along with Kiyoshi Muranaga. Heis memorialized by the Yukio Okutsu State VeteransHome which provides Skilled Nursing Care and ElderCare Home. We also learned that Elaine Okutsu, aBuddhist, went to Nirvana on April 15, 2013. Wejust learned that a new Destroyer, the USS DanielInouye will be named for our late Senator, Daniel K.Inouye that will have a crew of 323 with a length of509 ft. and a speed of 30 knots.

    Memorial Day ceremonies was held at theNational Cemetery of the Pacific. Ron was asked topresent the wreath 100/442 with Lloyd Kitaoka inmemory of the fallen. The Royal Hawaiian Bandplayed, “Amazing Grace,” “This is My Country” anda medlley of Sounds of Aloha. The Memorial DayAddress was given by Mayor Kirk Caldwell andAdmiral Samuel J. Locklear III, 21-Gun Rifle Salute,Taps, and Hawaii Pono’i and the Benediction endedthe Memorial Day at Punchbowl.

    Mothers Day Luncheon at Mid-Pacific CountryClub. Thanks to Natalie Oda Lee who made thereservations, the menu as usual was surreal withhumongous sizzling steak, chicken or fish. They makethe best sourdough French bread which was out ofthis world. Our neighbor in Kailua, Mrs. MargaretFunn, a Frau, used to say that Americans do not knowhow to bake bread which should be dense, chewy,and hard as their Bauernbrot and not the soft Love’sBakery type. Everyone enjoyed the camaraderieafter a short respite from New Year’s. Door prizes

    were called out to all the lucky winners. Jr. Uranakatook group pictures of the men and women. Thosewho entered Nirvana were Elaine Okutsu, April 15,2013 and Mitsuo Kodama 93yrs. at the HarmonyNursing Home, according to Enoch Kanaya whovisited Mits often, died on March 21, 2013.

    Tom Graves, [email protected], sent somephotos taken at one of our reunions in Vegas. Photoswere distributed to appropriate persons in the photos.

    In MemoriamElaine Okutsu, wife of Yukio, passed away at

    a Hilo Nursing Home on April 15, 2013. She was ago-getter and was the Honcho at the HonpaHongwanji Hilo Betsuin. She directed the ladies inthe cooking process at the various Temple gatherings.She was a good cook and could duplicate the tasteof the ingredients once she tasted the food. She andYuki together with Sadao Nishida, Wataru Kohashiand Robert Honda were always there to entertainthe F Company veterans whenever they went to Hilo.

    Mitsuo Kodama: 93 yrs., died on March 21,2013. Enoch visited Mits on a weekly basis to keephim company that Mits enjoyed. When Mits wasstill in Las Vegas, then to Chicago, we used to emaileach other on a daily basis. He had some good jokesand stories to impart. On our yearly reunions in LasVegas we could always depend on Mits to bring thecold drinks, some pupus and first of all, he broughtthe rice cooker!! His wife, Tuney is still in theHarmony Nursing Home.

    Frank Fujiyama, died May 27 2013, memberof 2nd Platoon with Enoch Kanaya. He was a quietand friendly fellow.

    Enjoy Life - it has an expiration date.

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    by Ann Kabasawa

    REMINDER!!! REMINDER!!! REMINDER!!!

    MINI REUNION IN LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 20 – 25, 2013

    Yes, there will be another Mini Reunion in Las Vegas from October 20 – 25, 2013 at theCalifornia Hotel. We welcome all who are interested in seeing veterans from all the units, friends andrelatives. We are joining up with Lawson Sakai’s group, Friends and Families, and there will be veteransfrom the 100th, 442nd and MIS attending, too. You have the option of going to one or two specialbanquets. We will still have our fun Slot Tournaments, too. As usual, 100th has our own hospitalityroom. A $75 deposit is needed as soon as possible to hold your reservation. Registration forms are atthe clubhouse or I can mail or e-mail it to you. We will be having a luncheon meeting on Saturday,August 10, 2013 at 100th Inf Bn clubhouse at 10:00 am for all those who are going. If you have anyquestions or if you need the registration form, please call me…Ann Kabasawa at 781-8540 or e-mailme at [email protected]. Hope that all of you can make it!!

    by Ed Yamasaki

    SOCAL by Jim YamashitaJust a few words from hot Southern California.Summer is here and we are now experiencing

    our usual So Cal summer hot weather but hopefullywill cool off before too many more hot days.

    Southern Cal I Company members havedwindled down to just a couple, but with other friendswe manage to gather periodically. Recently, wegathered for a luncheon at “Tokyo Lobby” inHacienda Heights for a belated Mothers and Fathersday celebration.

    Thanks to the hardworking luncheon co-sponsor Japanese American Living Legacy group,Lance Shoho, Susan and her husband Ray Uyemura,

    the luncheon was very enjoyable with great Japanesefood with a group of 30-plus members and friends.And as always, Susan’s parents, Russell and BarbaraShoho, came with bundles of veggies and fruits fromtheir backyard.

    Among the handful of I Company families wereBea Matsumura, Tomiko with her son Glen, andSteven with his wife, Toshimi, Rose Ikuta with sonEddie. Although we were expecting DorothyDavenport with her son Danny had some last minutecar trouble and was not able to be with us. Alsofrom M Company were Yosh and Grace Nakamuraand Michi Miyada. Mike of H Company attendedwith son Andrew, also of JA Living Legacy, who madethe lunch arrangement giving much of his time. Attendingfrom 442 Cannon Company were Roger Yoshinari andwife, Jackie. Also in attendance were Roy Shiraga,survivor of the fabled Chosin Few of the Korean Warand Kats Nakatani also a Korean War veteran whobrought enough avocados for everyone to take somehome. As usual, was Kevin Shimabukuro of King

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    Hawaiian Bakery furnishing us our celebration cakeand King Hawaiian Sweet bread for us to take home.Special guests included Harry and Mickey Hondaand Peggy Mizumoto. Peggy was one of the IwasakiScholarship judges. We were fortunate to havecurrent winner, Harrison with parents Curtis and LynnJung attend along with former recipient TrentonTanioka as JA Living Legacy presented them withnice jackets bearing the embroidered inscriptionIwasaki Scholar.

    And lastly, attending the luncheon were Jim &Marian Yamashita who brought their extended family,Howard and Nancy Hawkins with children, Derek,Laura and granddaughter, Ashley Yamashita.

    Frank Shimada of Northern California managesto golf at least once a week, he didn’t report anyscores, but at the age of 95, who worries aboutbreaking par. Frank still does his own cooking, yardwork, and drives his pickup in the fast lane. Hereports that Shig Doi and family are again visitingJapan in keeping up with their mission of teachingtheir grandchildren about their roots.

    Frank also reports that Kiyo Otsuki passedaway June 12, 2013 while living near her daughterLauren in San Diego. Kiyo will join her husbandwho died nearly seven years ago. They were marriedon November 25, 1951. Other sad news involvesBea Matsumura’s sister, Elsie, who lost two of hersons within ten days of each other in May. One diedin an auto accident and the other of a heart attack.Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families ofElsie and Kiyo.

    For over fifty years, Jim has been compilingand periodically distributing I Company phone andaddress directory. In what may be his last issue,surprisingly of the two hundred names listed only two,Michiko Higa and Hiroshi Uyeno came back with noforwarding address and two with forwarding addressthat had expired, Shizu Matsuoka [Toru]* andMargaret Shirota [Mamo]*. Jim is in process ofreceiving notes of acknowledgements for havingreceived this final issue which he appreciates.

    2013 Teri and Art Iwasaki ScholarshipRecipient, Harrison Jung

    Japanese American Living Legacy proudlyannounces the 2013 Teri and Art Iwasaki Scholarshiprecipient, Harrison Kenichiro Jung. “This is our fifthyear and final year awarding this scholarship,” said JALiving Legacy’s CEO, Susan Uyemura. Chairperson,Natalia Yamashiro-Chogyoji, along with committeemembers Sharon Tani, Barbara Ige and PeggyMizumoto comprised the Scholarship ReviewCommittee. “All candidates demonstrated academicexcellence and community involvement. However,Harrison’s outstanding achievements and stellarcommunity service made him a unanimous choicefor the Iwasaki Scholar,” said chairperson, NataliaYamashiro-Chogyoji.

    In 2008, the Iwasaki family of Oregon contactedJA Living Legacy to establish a five-year scholarshipfund in honor of their parents, Art and his late wife, TeriIwasaki. The Iwasaki children, Robert, Stephanie,Christie, Paul and Leslie, along with their father createdthe “Teri and Art Iwasaki Scholarship.” Their father,Art Iwasaki, is a member of the 442nd RegimentalCombat Team’s I Company. Currently, the entireIwasaki clan reside in Oregon.

    The committee uses a blind review system. Allpersonal information including name, gender and contactinformation is erased and replaced with a lettercombination then sent out to the committee to be rated.

    This years recipient is from San Marino, California.Growing up, Harrison spent a lot of time with his greatgrandparents and had a close connection to them.Harrison’s great grandfather, Chikaru Don Oka, servedas part of the Military Intelligence Service during WorldWar II.

    “Grandpa was one of five brothers born inthe USA. As a MIS officer for the US Army he foughtagainst brothers born in Japan, one of whom was aJapanese fighter pilot known as a Kamikaze.Although I had heard these stories countless times

    The following press release was submitted bySusan Uyemura, CEO of Japanese American LivingLegacy

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    as a kid,I didn’t understand the significance of hisexperience until later. During a family vacation in7th grade, my family and I visited the ManzanarRelocation Camp. What I witnessed in the Museumdrove home how unjust and unfair the internmentcamps were for these US Citizens, jailed because oftheir race, for being Japanese. After our visit, I hadquestions for Grandpa. How could he servealongside men who considered him the enemy andfight against his own blood instead? His responsewas because it was the right thing to do. Regardlessof discrimination he remained a loyal and proudAmerican. No one could take from him his sense ofdignity, duty or principle. He was proud to serve hiscountry. What I learned from Grandpa fueled myawareness of my Japanese heritage and cementedmy place in the Japanese American community..”

    Beginning Fall 2014, Jung will attend Universityof Southern California majoring in Pre-Law. “Thank youfor this scholarship, I am proud to be a Iwasaki Scholar,”said Jung.

    Awards and scholarships are just a few ways wecontribute to our community. If anyone is interested insetting up an award or scholarship through JA LivingLegacy, please contact the Awards and ScholarshipCommittee member, Sharon Tani, [email protected] or (714) 515-5501.

    l-r: Trenton Tanioka, 2011 Iwasaki Scholar; Harrison Jung,2013 Iwasaki Scholar and Peggy Mizumoto, Awards andScholarship Committee

    Japanese American Living Legacy is a Californianonprofit 501.c.3 organization based out of CaliforniaState University, Fullerton. All of the board of directors,staff and advisors are volunteers. For more informationon Japanese American Living Legacy or Nikkei WritersGuild, please visit their website at www.jalivinglegacy.orgor call them at (714) 515-5501.

    Hello from Nagasaki by Ed YamasakiAloha! I’d like to let you know I’ve been busy

    with a lot of things going on but two especially excitingevents in June:

    A visit to Hiroshima, included an amazingreunion with my mother’s clan members, visit toancestral home site and the ancestral grave in ruralFukuyama. Kiyotaka Nagashima and my daughterMariko put together info already gathered by relativeTakashige Noda and my sister Bea.

    The other was a visit with Hiroyuki Matsumoto,producer of award-winning “Go For Broke,” theJapanese version, is touring Japan. He is hoping tohave a showing in Nagasaki soon.

    Along with twice a week “work-outs,” onofresh seafood, fruits, veggies, and of course a drinkor two, I believe I’m gaining weight, though mydaughter says I’ve slimmed down around the opu.So, anyone who wants an easy diet, come on outhere! Oh, and “I’ll be back” in August.

    Front: Merry Uemoto (Hilo returnee) with EddieBack: Kiyotaka Nagashima (HTV), Eddie’s daughterMariko, Nao Sasaki (HTV)

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    by Genro & Muriel Kashiwa

    The last monthly meeting of Company “L”veterans was held on Saturday, June 8, 2013 atGyotaku Restaurant on South King Street. Thelocation was changed from the usual place on KeehiLagoon DAV headquarters. It was a convenientplace because we did not make special effort to buy“bento” lunch for those attending.

    Present at the meeting were Genny Matsumoto,Mabel Kawamura, Hideo Nakayama, Hideo Higa,Isao Takiyama, Kazuma Ogata, and Takao “Kila”Haraguchi. The usual Joe Oshiro was not present.Note – the persons attending are getting less and less.The attrition rate is accelerating. However, we areall very glad to see each other. The greeting (jokingly)nowadays is “You still alive?”

    For the writer, seeing the fellow veterans ofCompany “L” brings back many memories. Forexample: the battle on October 26th to November10th 1944 in the rescue of the “Lost Battalion.”Fortunately, “L” Company was the reserve companyin that battle. “I” and “K” were the attackingcompanies. In the Regimental formation called bythe commanding officer of the 36th Division, allcompanies were required in full force to line up forthe Regimental Review. As for “I” and “K” companiesonly about 8 men turned out for one of the companiesand none turned out for the other company. Thereviewing officer was offended and asked why themen did not show up for one of the companies andonly 8 men showed up for the other. The reply theofficer got was that that was all there were left. Iwas glad that I was in “L” Company. It saved mylife.

    The other thing which happened while I was atwar, was that my mother passed away about the timethat we were ready to assault and capture the Frenchtown of Sospel. This news was purposely kept away

    from me because those at home did not want me tobe distraught to the extent that I would be carelessto expose myself to danger. One of my Waialuaneighbors in the 442nd told me of the death of mymother. The curious thing about this was that here inthe war and in battles, I experienced many deaths ofmy fellow soldiers in battle and it was hard, but thenews of the death of my mother struck me totallydifferently. I had to go outside of the makeshift shelterI was in and stood outside for about 20 minutes bymyself contemplating the death of my mother. It wasan unbelievable shock.

    As for the writer, the other miracle was that helasted throughout the war…from the 1943 formationof the 442nd RCT to the 1945 processing of thesurrendering German Army at the Ghedi Airport innorthern Italy when the war ended. Serving that long,I accumulated enough points (85 points) at the endof the war to be one of the few privileged to returnback to Hawaii ahead of the others. ReachingHawaii, I was sent to Schofield Barracks for mydischarge. Upon discharge, I immediately arrangedto go back home to Waialua, Oahu. I got the shockof my life when I was told that I don’t live thereanymore. Having dreamed many times about “goinghome,” my dream was shattered. I traveled toHonolulu to Honpa Hongwanji on Fort Street wheremy Father resided.

    REMINDERto GFB Reporters:

    Chapter reports for theJuly-September 2013

    issue are due

    October 4, 2013

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    by Fujio Matsuda

    This will be a short report. Our president BoloShirakta (Band) had an accident at home and waslaid up for about a month, and summer travel forother regular members made it advisable to havemeetings. We did have the chapter Mother’s Dayluncheon on May 19th in lieu of the May chaptermeeting, at Paradise Park in upper Manoa Valley,the venue for this happy event for decades. We’vebeen such good, steady customers that the ownergoes out of the way to accommodate us. We had agood turnout, including a number of Sons andDaughters in addition of members that normally don’tattend the monthly meetings at the Club House.

    There was a recent change in the leadership ofthe 442nd Veterans Club . Bill Thompson, long timePresident resigned unexpectedly, and was replacedby vice president Frank Takao, retired judge andmember of MIS.

    Instead of the usual chit-chat and gossips aboutour chapter members, I have decided to reproducean article that came across my desk, because it wasabout the 232nd. It is intended primarily for the Sonsand Daughters and their children who may not havebeen told of this battle and the citation the unitreceived from their dads and granddads.

    232d Engineer Combat Company (thenattached to the 111th Engineer Combat Battalion)cited in War Department General Orders 56, 17 June1946:

    “111th Engineer Combat Battalion with 232dEngineer Combat Company (attached), for heroism,esprit de corps, and extraordinary achievement incombat from 23 October to 11 November 1944near Bruyeres, France. This unit was called uponto build a supply road out of a mountain trail whichrose 1,000 feet above the valley floor and progressthrough a dense forest to the division objective.

    Working directly behind the assault elements, the menof this unit labored unceasingly to build and maintainthis road. Artillery fire crashed into the trees,showering shrapnel on the engineers, who had noprotection as they worked. Enemy snipersinfiltrating behind our lines caused casualties andsome of the engineers engaged these Germans ina fire fight while the others continued to work.Tanks were called up and, though these heavyvehicles tore the bottom from the trail, theengineers were able to keep it open so that theconstant flow of supplies to the nine infantrybattalions engaged in the action and the constantevacuation of dead and wounded was neverinterrupted. Corduroy and planking were used,hundreds of enemy mines were removed, and graveland paving stones were hauled from the surroundingcountry side. At no time during the 19 days ofthis action did the work cease. Even though theengineers sustained 57 casualties in dead andwounded, they captured 27 German prisoners andkilled many more as they worked. Almostcontinuous rain and snow made their task moredifficult, and yet by sheer determination and grit,these men accomplished this magnificent feat ofengineering. Without this road, the divisionoperation could not have succeeded and it is dueto the extraordinary achievement of the 11thEngineer Combat Battalion with the 232dEngineer Combat Company (attached) that the36th Division was able to outflank the enemyforces in the Laveline-Corcieux Valley and pursuea disorganized enemy to the banks of the MeurtheRiver.” (General Orders 425, Headquarters 36thInfantry Division, 1 October 1945, as approved bythe Commanding General, 36th Infantry Division.)

    This article was circulated at one of our meetings,and was followed by recollections and story telling thatwent on for a couple of hours. I was not there in Francewith the 232nd (I was up in Belgium with a differentoutfit) so it was the first time I heard the guys talk aboutthe battle. I thought you, Sons and Daughters, maywant to read about it, also.

    You can all be proud of your hero Dads!That’s all for this time. Aloha!

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    by Gail Nishimura

    Happy Summer! Are you having fun yet? I havebeen, made friends with people who are part ofFriends & Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) recentlyon a trip to Italy. Having been quite ignorant of thehistory of 100th and 442 RCT, places they foughtand towns they were in; it was an eye-opening trip.I always knew the basics but learned so much morewhen I talked to people on this trip. We went tohonor veterans buried in Italy and to see some of theareas where they fought.

    We met in Rome and started our tour fromthere. First visit was to the American Cemetery atNettuno. We placed a wreath at the ‘Brothers inValor’ statue and ribbon lei, miniature paper CGM,tsuru and American flags at each 442 & 100th

    gravesite. We also visited Anzio, Lanuvio,Civitavecchia, Suvereto, Belvedere, Livorno,Tendola. (Tendola is way up in the mountains –winding road and we had a police escort to lead theway since our bus was sooo big for those littlemountain roads!)

    The next day we went to USAG Camp Darby.There was a ceremony at Masato “Curly” NakaeSquare. After there we went to Pisa, some of us

    took an optionaltour that afternoonto the city of Lucca.

    This was areally neat trip goingback to placeswhere the veteranswere 70 years ago.We visited tinytowns in themountains (way upin the mountains!)and actually metpeople who had

    relatives who told them about the 442 guys. Weeven were introduced to an Italian veteran, he was101! (See newspaper article.) We had our own vettraveling with us – Roy Fujiwara! He’s 95 and wasjust a delight to have on our trip. Everyone wantedto meet him and shake his hand. No matter wherewe went people wanted to pose with him or just sayhello. He even made the paper in an article aboutour trip to Suvereto.

    I’ve been to the tourist places before so it wasreally nice to meet real people from the towns wevisited. We went to little towns at the top ofmountains…if you are uncomfortable with heights orget carsick, this would have been a challenge for you.It was a great adventure traveling on the mountainroads! Then the view from the top just takes yourbreath away.

    The Italians are great gardeners too; we sawso many gardens with heritage roses, roses you couldsmell, not like the hot house ones we get here. Mademe actually want to try and get my roses plantedagain. (it’s been over 20 years since I was eveninterested!) Right now everything has to grow onit’s own. Thank goodness I live in a place with lotsof rain as I don’t water the yard or the plants!

    We had many meals included on this trip, whenin Suvereto they had volunteers from the town fix ameal for us with country food that the Italians eat,very interesting. We had polenta and wild boar, lentilsand other things that I don’t even know. They evenserved different wines that were provided by Mr.Miyakawa’s vineyards. (He’s from Japan and has avineyard near Suvereto) There was a bed andbreakfast place way up in there and some of us talkedabout how nice it would be to be among the localsrather than all the touristy places!

    Some of our group hiked up to Mt. Fogorito,little did they know that it would be foggy, rainy andhave thunder, lightning and hail when they went upthere! They went up on the front side of the mountain,when the 442 guys climbed up, they went up the backof the mountain. Our modern day climbers had tostay away from the cross at the top since it was metaland like a lightning rod!

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    Roy Fujiwara was one of the many 442 menwho climbed Mt. Fogorito. He told us how it waslike climbing up blindfolded since it was so dark. Ittook them 8 hours to go up and he was shot whenthey surprised the Germans. Then had to be carrieddown the mountain. It took them another 8 hours toget him down. Thank goodness he survived! Ourgroup that climbed up went up the front side of themountain during the day; the 442 boys went up thebackside at night!

    I went with the others to Massa-Carrarra, wesaw where Michelangelo quarried his marble for theincredible carvings he did. We had similar weatherconditions as those who went to Mt. Fogorito butwe were in a bus most of the time, not climbing amountain! Carrarra marble is known around theworld, they have so much of it someone carved aCadillac out of the marble! Also lots of the “gravel”rocks on the ground are marble too! Many peoplecollected bits and pieces to bring back as souvenirs!We all managed to also keep the economy of thetowns up as well as increase our suitcase weight.

    Enroute to Florence we stopped in Pietrasanta.Went on a tour of Luigi Russo Cultural Center (Museodei Bozzetti) followed by Mass at Duomo diPietrasanta Cethedral. Some of us went to a luncheonnear the Gothic Line and were able to see Mt.Fogorito from the restaurant. (it was a clear day –what a difference 24 hours made!)

    We were able to celebrate Memorial Day atthe American Cemetery in Florence. It was quite amoving ceremony and we even saw people fromCamp Darby at the ceremony. All the grave markersare crosses made from white marble. Just an

    amazing site to see. Each row is aligned so it’sstraight, all the crosses are the same height.

    Each grave wasmarked with an Italianand American flag. The442 and 100th gravesalso had bouquets offresh flowers. We alsoplaced lei, CGMstickers, tsuru andAmerican flags. Someeven got Stacey’s chibistickers.

    Our tour alsoincluded an art exhibitat the Auditorium al

    Duomo Foyer in Florence. It was “A Solo Exhibitionby Japanese American Artist Paul Uyehara: ARetrospective 60 Years of Inspiration with SpecialGuest Artist Elizabeth Uyehara”.

    We also had an optional tour of Monte Cassino.A rocky hill about 81 miles southeast of Rome nearthe town of Cassino. St. Benedict established hisfirst monastery here. It was the site of the Battle ofMonte Cassino in 1944 when it was destroyed byAllied bombing and rebuilt after the war. The abbeyis really beautiful and really high up in the mountains!

    After two weeks in Italy, I stopped in New YorkCity for the first time. My friend in NYC helped (hedid most of the work, I just selected the pictures)make this video of our trip. It’s posted on YouTubeand runs a little over 14 minutes. Our group consistedof 43 people from Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Alaska,Washington, California, Nevada, and Illinois. Quitean eclectic group! Hope you enjoy the pictures.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyoKnvm8Dxc

    Now I’m looking forward to the trip the Holcksare setting up to Germany & France in the fall. Ifyou would like to join this group, contact GeralynHolck. ([email protected] or 808/371-1366) There are still 4 openings for this trip.

    Hopefully it won’t be too cold when we’rethere. A lot of us didn’t think it would be cold andrainy when we were in Italy, so we weren’t prepared!I’m planning to pack warm clothes with the hope wewon’t need it all!

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    In other Chapter news, plans are underway forthe following events:

    • Sons & Daughters will be hosting anothermovie night – 442 Movie Night: “Journey toWashington.” Mark & Debbie Oshiro are chairs forthis event. It will be on Saturday, August 31, 2013.Time: 5:30 p.m. and will be held at 100th Clubhouse,Kamoku Street. A flyer will be coming soon.

    • 2013 Joint Memorial Service – ByrnesYamashita is chairperson. It will be held at Punchbowlon Sunday, September 29th @ 9 am. Volunteers willbe needed for a variety of things so please contactByrnes. ([email protected])

    • 71st Anniversary Banquet. The Sons &Daughters are organizing the event. The committeechairs are: Jennifer Okubo, Lenora Okubo andClayton Ito. It will be held on March 23, 2014, atthe Pacific Beach Hotel.

    For the latest information and updates on theNisei Veterans Legacy Center Project go to the Sons& Daughters website (www.442sd.org).

    Enjoy your summer! Come to one of ourmeetings, we usually meet on the first Thursday ofthe month. Call the Veterans office for information.(Thanks, Shirley.)

    Most of the information and all photos in thefollowing two articles were taken from JAVA pressreleases.

    Terry ShimaTerry Shima, former executive director of JAVA

    (Japanese American Veterans Association), receivedtwo honors this year. In February, he was one of 18selected from over 6,000 nominations to receive thePresidential Citizens Medal personally awarded byPresident Obama in a White House ceremony. Hewas specifically recognized “For strengthening thesacred trust between America and its veterans” andfor energizing a program of preserving the oral andvideo recorded interviews of Japanese Americanservicemen who served in Europe and the Pacificduring WWII “even while many of their families wererelocated to internment camps at home.”

    Upon receiving the White House award, Shimasaid he accepted the award on behalf of JAVA andthe men who fought in Europe and the Pacific “… tosettle the question of loyalty once and for all…” Terry

    served with the 442nd during WWII and was a closefriend of Mike Masaoka. He was discharged in 1946.

    On May 21, at a special reception at theJapanese Ambassador’s residence in Washington,DC, Terry was presented with The Order of the RisingSun, Gold Rays with Rosette by AmbassadorKenichiro Sasae. This honor was made inrecognition of his many years of significant

    Terry Shima receives award from President Obama

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    Major General Susan MashikoMajor General Susan Mashiko is the first AJA

    woman to become a flag officer. MG Mashiko wasnominated for the United States Air Force Academyby then Congressman Norman Mineta in 1976. Shegraduated in 1980 and was in the first class of womento graduate from the U.S. Service Academies. Sheis the Deputy Director of the NationalReconnaissance Office (NRO) and stationed inChantilly, Virginia. The job of the NRO is to provideoverhead reconnaissance from the use of aircraft tomeet national security needs.

    MG Mashiko holds a bachelor’s degree inaeronautical engineering and a M.S. in electricalengineering. After graduating and becoming aSecond Lieutenant in 1980, she rose in rank andachieved the rank of Colonel in 2001. She becamea Brigadier General in 2006 and rose to the rank ofMajor General in 2009.

    Her responsibilities today include assisting thedirector and principal deputy director in managingthe strategic and tactical operations of the NRO.

    Also, as the commander, Air Force Space CommandElement, she manages all air force personnel andresources assigned to the NRO. She also serves asthe senior adviser to the DNRO on all military matters.

    The world of information gathering that hasbecome infamous by the flight of Edward Snowdenfrom Hawaii with National Security Agency secretdocuments gained while employed by a firm retainedby the NSA.

    contributions toward building strong relationshipsbetween Japan and the United States, and for histireless work educating this generation on JapaneseAmerican experience during WWII. The award, givenin the name of the Emperor, is one of the highesthonors bestowed upon a non-Japanese civilian.

    l-r: Ambassador Sasae,Secretary Mineta,Congresswoman Hanabusa,Terry Shima,Congresswoman Matsui, andCongressman Meadows.

    Photo by Embassy of Japan

    l-r: Secretary Mineta, Maj. General Mashiko (USAF),Gerald Yamada

    The reception had a standing room audiencewith well or 200 of Shima’s family members, relativesand friends who were in attendance. CongresswomanColleen Hanabusa was present to witness thisceremony for a former Hawaii native fromLaupahoehoe on the Big Island.

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    Remember when....

    The story of the 442nd Regimental CombatTeam has been told in numerous films, books, exhibitsand speeches. But not many know the story of the442nd Veterans Club.

    The 442nd Veterans Club was incorporated asa non-profit organization in 1946. It was a morethan just a social club – it was more than banquets,picnics, sports and various other events. The Clubwas involved in community affairs such as EasterSeals, Red Cross, blood bank, volunteer help atKuakini Hospital, and many other projects.

    For the past several years, when speaking oftheir Club, you will hear some veterans say, “we’retoo old; leave it to the sons and daughters.” Perhapsthose who share this attitude were not priviledgedto hear the profound words of Chaplain Hiro Higuchi,keynote speaker at the 442nd Veterans Club’s 13th

    Anniversary banquet held in March 1956. Althoughthe entire speech speaks volumes of the Chaplain’slove, pride and respect in the 442nd as a unit, thefollowing passages taken from that speech show thesame feelings he shared for the Club.

    “A very close friend said to me, ‘Hiro, why areyou so actively interested in the 442nd Veterans Club.What does the club mean to you?’ So this evening, Iwould like to answer that question: ‘What does my

    membership in the 442nd Veterans Club mean to me?’“To my friend who asked me that question,

    perhaps a club like ours only represent a group of menwith common experience of war banded together forfellowship and fun . . . but behind that easy andsometimes callous fellowship, what more does this groupmean to me? What invisible qualities do I see behindthe symbol of our patch? What are the unseen realitieswhich bind us together and which gives me pride tobelong to this group?

    “Behind this fellowship of ordinary men in ordinarydays . . . it brings to me a remembrance of warm friendshipwith men, who when faced with death, revealed theamazing power of man’s capacity to live in the highestideals of courage and sacrifice and by it, being lifted upto a greatness which neither time nor a change in scenecould erase.

    “There is a higher law within ourselves whosedemands no man can leave unheeded and still facehimself. . . a law that demands that a man be true to thehighest within himself. I belong to a group of men whoshowed that kind of quality. So behind the gayety ofour fellowship, the beer busts, the friendly banter andjokes . . . I see an organization with that kind of traditionwhich we sometimes forget.

    “When I think of the 442nd, I see the capacity in agroup of men carry things through to its bitter end, inspite of discouraging obstacles, terrific prejudices, bitterexperiences and extreme suffering. However beautifulone’s beginning, nothing matters so much in human lifewithout a good end. Without a good end, without moraleand staying power, and steady character to see a manthrough to worthy conclusions – what else in life can beworthwhile. In the tradition of the 442nd, I belong tothe qualities of faith and character that enabled a groupof men under the most tremendous pressure to comethrough with banners flying.

    “Or I see in my mind’s eye a young soldier whostepped on an anti-personnel mine while on a night patrol.But he crawled two miles... and when I saw him in theaid station, he was begging the doctor to tie the bloodyend of his foot so that he could go back to help hisfriends finish the war. How do you meet the tragediesof war, the miseries of this life, and still keep that kind of

    1956 - 442nd Veterans Club Archive

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    morale. How can any man remember these things andnot say, I am proud to belong to that kind of a tradition.

    “And finally behind this fellowship I see a groupof men who went through the hatreds and evils of war,the vicious persecution of misunderstanding, the loss offriends and comrades – and still came out with a senseof forgiveness and goodwill. Men who had every rightto come out of the war angry and hurt. . . hating andprejudiced – but with the amazing capacity to forgetand forgive and take up their place in the communitywithout hatred.

    “I do not then celebrate this evening the superbbattle records of the 442nd, nor the fame achieved bythis Regiment in combat – but I celebrate this eveningthe kind of quality produced by battle. The war is longover, but the invisible realities of this visible fellowshipwill always be cherished by me. I pray that in yourdeeper moods and profound moments of thought, youremember those qualities that gave our regiment aglorious tradition to which one can point with pride andsay “I belong to a group that represented those qualities”. . . and I also hope that you may hold your heads a littlehigher and rededicate yourself to pursue and live thattradition in your relationship with your family, with yourfellowmen, in your community and your country. . . beinghonest with the very best within yourself seeing thoseideals through to its ultimate conclusions, and thushelping to make our world a better place for goodwilland brotherhood. May God bless you and May Godkeep you.”

    Below are excerpts from a speech made by TakaoHedani (442nd President, 1962) at the Club’s 19th

    Anniversary banquet:“Heavy as our hearts may be, we should look

    upon the heroic deeds of our fallen comrades in thelight of the words of the immortal Shakespeare, whosaid: ‘Had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, I hadrather have eleven die nobly for their country, than onevoluptuously surfeit out of action.’

    “Today, with the same vigor and enthusiasm thatguided our actions 19 years ago, we are relentlesslypursuing the battle of the welfare of our community,state, nation, and world.

    1962 - l-r: William Naganuma (I), Allen Nakamura (L), TakaoHedani (H), Herbert Isonaga (2HQ), Sam Sasai (3HQ)

    “We, as members of the 442nd Veterans Clubhave, collectively or individually, strived for the welfareof our community. Yes, the vigor and enthusiasm andthe battle cry of “Go For Broke” have guided ourmembership to the betterment of the living standards ofour state, nation, and the world.

    “I call upon you to continue your good work, andlet us rededicate our lives to the preservation andstrengthening of human dignity.”

    Following are excerpts from Stanley Watanabe’s(442nd President, 1957) keynote speech at the Club’s14th Anniversary banquet:

    “The very basis of the formation of our clubwas to preserve and perpetuate the close ties createdduring the War, and to create a social organizationso that good fellowship could be enjoyed by us andour families.

    “Of great importance, also, to us today, is the442nd Veterans Club’s place in the community. Wehave, as citizens, many responsibilities and obligationsto our country and community, as well as to familyand self, which we must continue to fulfill. Thechallenge of good citizenship remains with us in timeof war or peace. As soldiers, we fought with fiercedetermination to preserve a way of life which wecherish dearly, and now in time of peace, as civilians,we must exert this same determination to retain thiswonderful American way of life.

    442nd Veterans Club Archive

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    Articles from 442nd Veterans Club Archive

    “We have made contributions to our communitynot only as a group, but as individuals. Our club canbe justly proud of the type of men that comprise ourmembership. It is impossible to name all thecategories of endeavor of our members and thecontributions which have been made, but whether asindividuals or as a group, our efforts have not beenexpended for the praise or recognition which may bereceived, but for the purpose of improving ourAmerican way of life as active and responsiblecitizens.

    “We have a good organization . . . one whichall of us can continue to enjoy, and in which we cantake a great deal of pride. Let us pledge and engageourselves as we face the future years to thebetterment of the purposes we now maintain, so thatat some future date it can be said that the 442nd

    Veterans Club also accomplished its mission.”

    Over the years, community leaders, militaryofficers and politicans have been keynote speakersat the 442nd Veterans Club’s banquets and memorialservices. Their speeches are filled with praise andadmiration as they recount the battles and the awardsearned by the unit and individuals. But, as shown bythese past speeches, the heart of the 442nd can onlybe told by the veterans themselves. To these brave,unselfish men, it is not about the awards and praises.It is about the brotherhood forged in battle whichcontinued on in their lives.

    Jan. 1952Mar. 1956

    Jan. 1952

    Oct. 1953Go For Broke!

    Announcements

    Save the Date!

    The 442nd Veterans Club’s 71st

    Anniversary banquet will be held atthe Pacific Beach Hotel on Sunday,March 23, 2014.

    More information will be providedin the next issue of the GFB Bulletin

    There will be a Mini Reunion in LasVegas from October 20 – 25, 2013 at theCalifornia Hotel.

    Please see George Chapter news onPage 9 for details.

    Mini Reunion in Las Vegas

  • NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage

    PAIDHonolulu, HawaiiPermit No. 209

    The 442nd Veterans Club933 Wiliwili StreetHonolulu, HI 96826

    CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED