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2018 Annual Meeting to be Held 150 150 omcadmin

2018 Annual Meeting to be Held

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV), a locally-based, multi-state Japanese-American veterans’ group, will hold its annual meeting on February 10, 2018 at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Avenue.  The main guest speaker will be Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James Taylor who was the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Independence Day Parade in Morgan Hill. Host will be Lawson Sakai who is President of FFNV and also Grand Marshal of the 2014 parade.

On November 9, 1967, First Lieutenant Taylor was serving in Vietnam as cavalry officer.   When his troops came under intense enemy fire and one armored assault vehicle was hit, Lt Taylor jumped into action.  The Medal of Honor citation reads: “His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire troop, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.”

Public is cordially invited to attend at 12:30 PM.  Pot-luck lunch for FFNV members and guests will start at 11:30 AM.

If you wish more information, please contact Brian Shiroyama at [email protected] or (408) 896-1021.

2017 Reunion Info 150 150 omcadmin

2017 Reunion Info

Annual Nisei Veterans’ Reunion
California Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada
October 15-19, 2017

Click here to download registration/info form (PDF).

Veterans’ Memorial Service 1024 683 omcadmin

Veterans’ Memorial Service

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) held its annual memorial service on May 20 at Roberts Park, Oakland Hills, Calif. Nearly 100 participants including several WW II veterans, widows, family members, friends and supporters attended to honor and pay respect to veterans of all wars.  This memorial service began at this site in 1992 as a tribute to fallen members of Company E, 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.  A redwood tree was planted in honor of those veterans and it is now a symbol of respect for veterans of all wars who gave their lives for this country.  Reverberating sounds of inspiring performances by Bands of the West greeted all attendees who came together in one warm camaraderie surrounded by majestic redwood trees.

Tom Graves, noted author and photographer, opened the service as master of ceremonies. Berkeley Boy Scout Troop 24 provided military honors with posting of the colors.  Reverend Harry Bridges of Oakland Buddhist Temple delivered a warm message.  Lawson Sakai, President of FFNV and a 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) veteran delivered welcoming remarks and briefly talked about his own experiences serving with the 442nd RCT.  A family-style picnic after the service was enjoyed by all on this unusually warm and pleasant day.

If you wish more information about FFNV, please contact Brian Shiroyama at [email protected] or call  (408) 896-1021.

 

Photo courtesy of Mas Hashimoto.

Annual Nisei Veterans Memorial Service 150 150 omcadmin

Annual Nisei Veterans Memorial Service

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Roberts Park (above Oakland) in the East Bay Regional Park District

Memorial Service starts at 12 noon followed by a potluck lunch in the Bay Vista Picnic Area

At the gate, advise that you are attending the veterans’ memorial service to waive entrance fee.

Go through first parking lot to lower level.

Please bring a favorite dish or drinks to share.

CONTACTS

Lawson Sakai, [email protected], (408) 782-2054

Brian Shiroyama, [email protected], (408) 896-1021

Shelby Kariya, [email protected], (650) 438-9139

Jean Hirasaki, [email protected], (408) 842-6973

“The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage” Shane Sato, Photography book 150 150 omcadmin

“The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage” Shane Sato, Photography book
We are in need of help as the deadline (June) for completing our book and getting it to press approaches.  There are still many veterans we have not been able to contact to ask for:
1)    A lead to someone or resource, so that we can write a short personal story for each veteran, to go with their portrait.  
2)    A lead to someone or resource, to get either WWII era photos (scans if possible.) or that we can scan and return through FedEx.
3)    A contact person, so that a free copy of the book can be given to the photographed veteran or one representative member of his family
 
Attached is a list of veterans whom were photographed and the status of what we need to complete their page (Facing the portrait).
Would you also please pass along the following note and the list of veterans to your local community and network (either through the newsletter, email blast or both), so that we can get the largest response to gather this information?
 
Thank you,
 
Robert Horsting, on behalf of Shane Sato, photographer and author,
“The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage”
 
Dear Veterans and friends,
 
My name is Shane Sato, a photographer for the past 30 years based in Los Angeles.  I’ve been shooting portraits of WWII Nisei veterans since 2000, starting with my “Go For Broke” series, which was shot in black and white and posed in their club shirts.  I wanted to do another series to continue shooting more veterans , so in 2007 I started shooting in color and I decided to use uniforms to help the public “see into the past”.  There was a dramatic change in response, because now people could equate these men in the twilight of their lives to the vets who fought in WWII.
 
Having shot about 130 portraits since 2000, I’m now working together with Robert Horsting, an oral historian, to create a “Coffee Table” book.  By combining these portraits with personal photos and a short story of a moment of each veteran’s life, we’re providing a “Then and Now” experience. This project is intended to be photo driven and not a history book.
 
I am reaching out to all of you in the Nisei veteran communities to ask you veterans, family members and friends, to help us locate a lead to someone or resource, so that we can write a short personal story for each veteran, and gather some WWII era photos to go with their portrait.
Annual Las Vegas Reunion 150 150 omcadmin

Annual Las Vegas Reunion

The Annual Nisei Veterans’ Reunion in Las Vegas, sponsored by Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) has been confirmed.

We date of the FFNV Reunion will be October 15-19, 2017 at the California Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Welcome Banquet is scheduled for Monday evening (October 16) and the Farewell Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday lunch (October 18).

 

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF NISEI VETERANS’ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 150 150 omcadmin

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF NISEI VETERANS’ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM

Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA

We are excited about this year’s program, which will include two outstanding speakers, and hope you will join us. Mike Malaghan will talk about his highly-acclaimed book, “Picture Bride,” a history-based novel of a girl who escapes hardship in Japan, comes to Hawaii as a picture bride, and endures unfamiliar and difficult life as an immigrant. The second presentation by Chet Campenella will be on internment of persons of Italian ancestry during WW II. He will describe the life endured by his parents as they were interned resulting from the same Executive Order 9066. A potluck lunch will be served. Annual family membership is $25. If you desire more information, please contact Brian Shiroyama at [email protected] or (408) 896-1021.

Feb. 13 Meeting Update omcadmin

Feb. 13 Meeting Update

 

Once again, they came from everywhere – San Francisco, Sacramento, Turlock, Monterey. It was another gathering of Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) in Morgan Hill, on Feb. 13. About 100 attended the “membership meeting” filled with warmth and camaraderie. Even several “strangers” came from Visalia and Fresno after hearing the radio announcement about this meeting. The annual potluck lunch gathering was enjoyed by all.

The program began with a presentation by Consul General Jun Yamada of Consulate-General of Japan, San Francisco, of a prestigious Certificate of Commendation by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to Lawson Sakai. The Certificate recognized Sakai’s dedication to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States. Specifically, the award recognized Sakai’s service with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team (442nd RCT), his tireless effort to preserve the proud legacy of Nisei veterans, and his dedication as eloquent speaker to promote understanding of Japanese American history. Introductory remarks stated: “With unselfish, dedicated and far-reaching accomplishments, Sakai has become a true and proud legend among all Japanese Americans and legitimately among all Americans.”

The second part of the program took the audience back 72 years into Vosges Mountains in France where enduring and amazing history was unfolding. Four speakers shared their knowledge of the epic battle in late October 1944 when the 442nd RCT successfully rescued the encircled Texas “Lost Battalion.” Tom Graves, professional photographer/author moderated the program and gave an overview of the battle. Franz Steidl, historian, showed a Department of Defense newsreel coverage of this rescue and introduced the regional military situation that resulted in an American battalion being trapped by retreating German forces. Al Tortolano, a soldier of the “Lost Battalion,” was not able to attend the meeting due to illness. However, Tom Graves summarized Al Tortolano’s emotional speech he gave to another group of 442nd RCT veterans in 1999 in which he repeatedly thanked the 442nd RCT for its valiant effort despite taking heavy casualties. In conclusion, Lawson Sakai presented an inspiring account of his personal role during the rescue and that of his fellow 442nd RCT soldiers. Attendees were treated to truly informative and heart-warming stories of the rescue of the “Lost Battalion.”

Consul General Yamada thoughtfully stayed for the entire program and expressed his appreciation for our Nisei soldiers’ contributions of the 442nd RCT in Europe and of the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific. The presentation of the Foreign Ministry Award to Lawson Sakai added the extra dimension of significance and importance to this gathering.

Kayaks and 442 030 Kayaks and 442 031

Feb. 13, 2016 Meeting 150 150 omcadmin

Feb. 13, 2016 Meeting

IMG_3489

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV), a Japanese-American WW II veterans organization, will host a meeting on February 13, 2016, at the rear building of the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Avenue, at 12:30 PM. Potluck lunch will be served at 11:30 AM. The public is invited.

The highlight of this meeting is to feature four speakers on the subject of a legendary segregated Japanese-American unit (442nd Regimental Combat Team – 442nd RCT) rescuing the “Lost Battalion.” The 442nd RCT, formed in 1943, was initially engaged in Italy and quickly became a formidable and well-respected fighting unit. “Go For Broke” was its motto. For its size and the length of service, the 442nd RCT became the highest decorated unit in U.S. Army history with 21 Medal of Honor awards.

On October 24, 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division (originally the Texas National Guard), became surrounded and trapped by German forces in the Vosges Mountains, France. The 1st Battalion was deemed “lost” because repeated attempts by 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 141st Infantry Regiment failed to rescue the 1st. The Division Commander then ordered the 442nd RCT to rescue the “Lost Battalion.” Even though the 442nd RCT just came off bitter battles to liberate nearby towns and thus was severely short of manpower, they smartly saluted and valiantly pressed on. It was another opportunity to prove their loyalty to America after being classified as “enemy alien” after Pearl Harbor. On October 30, after taking extremely heavy casualties, the 442nd RCT broke through and rescued the “Lost Battalion.”

Tom Graves (professional photographer/author of “Twice Heroes”) will introduce other speakers. He will give the overview of the 442nd RCT. He will present the importance of the battle to rescue the “Lost Battalion.” He will also comment on why this rescue lives on in history.

Franz Steidl (author of “Lost Battalions”) will give an introduction to the regional military situation, military motives behind the battle and its results. He will also make an audiovisual presentation.

Al Tortolano (soldier of the 1st Battalion, 141 Infantry – the “Lost Battalion”) will talk about his side of the battle, what his fellow soldiers faced and knew and what they went through before the rescue by the 442 RCT.

Lawson Sakai (a 442nd RCT vet) will talk about the Regiment itself – its origin and training. He will then focus on his role during the battle to rescue the “Lost Battalion.”

Questions may be directed to Brian Shiroyama at [email protected] or (408) 896-1021.

LIVING SHIP DAY at the USS HORNET MUSEUM 150 150 omcadmin

LIVING SHIP DAY at the USS HORNET MUSEUM

Every month, the USS Hornet docked in Alameda, California, sponsors a monthly event which is open to the public. On Saturday, August 15, they will be honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Lawson Sakai will speak about the legendary accomplishments of the 442nd in rescuing the “Lost Battalion” in October, 1944.  Al Tortolano, a soldier in the Lost Battalion will reflect on the hardship of the battle to survive and of the elation of being rescued just before being overrun by German forces. Franz Steidl, author of “Lost Battalions”, will present the historic perspective of the rescue of the Lost Battalion.  Tom Graves will be the moderator.

The program starts at 1:00 pm and all veterans, family and friends are encouraged to also visit the Nisei Veterans’ Exhibit created by Brian Shiroyama as well as tour the historic ship. There will be no bento lunch but food may be purchased at the ship’s snack bar.

There is an admission charge for the event. FFNV has arranged for a group discount for admission of $10 per person. Veterans of the 100th Battalion/442 RCT/MIS, spouse or widow are free. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please pre-register by email to [email protected] or by mailing in the slip below. The deadline is AUGUST 5.

FFNV will have a table set up from 12 noon to 12:45 pm at the entrance where you can check in, pay for admission, and pick up a name tag. Drinks and snacks will be provided for those in our group. If you do not pre-register, you can still attend but will have to pay the regular entrance fee of $20 for adults or $15 for seniors to the front desk.

Contact Jean Hirasaki, 7210 Princeton Place, Gilroy CA 95020 or Email: [email protected]

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