Information on Annual Reunion, Registration, and Shirt Information
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ANNUAL NISEI VETERANS’ REUNION
California Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada
October 18-22, 2015
FFNV News
FFNV MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) held its annual membership meeting at Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center on February 14, 2015. About 70 members, guests and friends from Sacramento, Turlock, Fresno and Bay Area as well as South County enjoyed the traditional potluck and always warm camaraderie.
Lawson Sakai, Mas Tsuda and Mas Kadota (all 442 veterans) were recognized for being awarded of the most prestigious French Legion of Honor from the French Consul General on February 3.
The speaker of fascinating background captivated the audience. Lt Commander Goehner served as “frogman” of the elite Navy’s Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) during World War II. The UDT was the original Navy SEAL. Lt Commander Goehner led many “suicide” missions against German Navy. In Hollywood’s Oscar-nominated movie “THE FROGMEN,” Richard Widmark, the lead actor, portrayed Lt Commander Goehner. His account of danger-packed mission against a German submarine base in Baltic Sea was exciting and his story of encountering a German soldier at Normandy was heartwarming.
A short video presentation of the Nisei Veterans’ Exhibit aboard the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda concluded the meeting.
FFNV will next gather on May 16 in Oakland Hills for the annual memorial service If you wish more information about FFNV, please contact Brian Shiroyama at [email protected] or (408) 896-1021.
MIS Veterans will hold national reunion March 27-28, 2015
The Military Intelligence Service Veterans Club of Hawaii will hold a National Reunion of MIS veterans – with the theme of “Keeping the MIS Legacy Alive” — that will include:
• March 27: 5 to 8 p.m., opening social, dinners and workshops, 100th Battalion Veterans Clubhouse, 520 Kamoku St.
• March 28: 9 a.m., grand opening ceremony for “America’s Secret Weapon,” a new exhibit at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii, followed by museum tour. Army Historian James McNaughton, author of the book “Nisei Linguists,” will speak.
• March 28: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., reunion luncheon banquet at the Hale Koa Hotel DeRussy Ballroom. Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will speak.
Click here to download flyer (PDF).
Tom Graves to Speak at JAMsj, Exhibit to Open Jan. 17
Tom Graves, FFNV member and nationally recognized author of the award winning book, Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea will exhibit portraits and interviews of Bay Area veterans at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), in a three-pronged salute to Nisei veterans entitled Twice Heroes and More. The exhibit opens to the public January 17, 2015 at 1:00 and runs through May 31, 2015. Six new portraits and interviews of local WWII and Korean War Veterans will be on display for the first time.
Tom then travels to the Pacific Northwest for three presentations. The first on Thursday, January 29, at 3:00 p.m., at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum (215 Ericksen Avenue NE; 206-842-2773). Later the same day, at 7:30 p.m., at Eagle Harbor Book Co. (157 Winslow Way East; 206-842-5332), he will discuss his 13 years of experiences meeting the heroic men and women portrayed in the book, and his ongoing dedication to educating others about this dark chapter in American history.
He will also speak on Saturday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m., at the NVC Foundation (Nisei Veterans Committee, 1212 South King Street, Seattle; This event, where he will also show portraits, will be co-sponsored by the University of Washington Department of American Ethics Studies, Asian American Studies.
TWICE HEROES earned the prestigious 2014 Benjamin Franklin Award in History. In addition to FFNV, he is a member of the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, the 99th Infantry Battalion Educational Foundation board of directors and the USS San Francisco CA-38 Memorial Foundation. See more on Twice Heroes at www.TwiceHeroes.com.
FFNV Meets Aboard the USS Hornet
As usual, the Alameda pier where the USS Hornet WW II aircraft carrier is anchored was cloudy and even chilly on Aug. 2.
However, the upbeat sound of the San Francisco All City Jazz Band warmly greeted smaller but enthusiastic crowd at an annual gathering of Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) aboard the Hornet. Great camaraderie again bonded veterans, spouses, family members and friends.
Special guests were Randall Ramian, CEO of the Hornet Museum who welcomed the attendees, and Odette Le Pendu, recipient of the prestigious French Legion of Honor Medal for her distinguished service as French resistance fighter during World War II.
Lawson Sakai, President of FFNV and a 442nd Regimental Combat Team (442nd RCT) veteran, eloquently delivered the keynote address while reflecting his experiences during the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” in late October 1944. His inspirational presentation captivated the audience.
Entertainment was provided by the SF All City Jazz Band composed of talented students in middle and high schools and led by their music teacher, Ken Crowell. The band serenaded the audience with nostalgic selections of popular hits during last several decades. At the conclusion of this event, the band played the US military branch medley honoring all veterans who served in all wars.
After the formal program, attendees enjoyed touring the Hornet and visiting the Nisei Veterans’ Exhibit featuring Japanese-American history and legendary accomplishments of the 442nd RCT and the Military Intelligence Service.
Due to dwindling number of able Nisei veterans and supporters, this meeting was the last FFNV gathering aboard the Hornet. FFNV is grateful to all supporters since the first meeting in 2006.
The Nisei Veterans’ Exhibit will continue to receive visitors.
For more information, please contact Brian Shiroyama at bshiroyama@ gmail.com or (408) 896-1021.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SATURDAY, FEB 8, AT 11:00 AM
Morgan Hill Buddhist Church, 16450 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA
If her health permits, Mme. Odette from San Francisco, who is a recipient of the French Legion of Honor medal, will attend the meeting. She has expressed an interest in helping our veterans apply for this prestigious honor. If you sent in papers earlier and have not received a response or have not yet applied, please contact Brian Shiroyama (contact info at bottom of this page) for a form and bring a copy of the front and back of your discharge papers to this meeting. The applicant must be living to receive a medal. If you are unable to attend the meeting, mail your forms to FFNV, P.O. Box 626, Gilroy, CA 95021, before February 8.
A representative of the National Japanese American Historical Society will talk about the new MIS Historic Learning Center and Ben Edes from Morgan Hill will share his 442 restored jeep which may bring back memories for veterans.
We will have a potluck lunch following the meeting so please bring a favorite dish to share.
MEETING AT THE USS HORNET
August 31 (Saturday) at 11:00 AM
USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum, Alameda, CA
PROGRAM
Tom Graves, assisted by Lawson Sakai, will make a presentation of the 70th Reunion of the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, March 20 – 26, 2013, Honolulu, Hawaii. Tom will also share interesting stories of interviews for his “Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WW II and Korea.” His book will be available for purchase. The Nisei Veterans’ Exhibit aboard the Hornet will feature enhanced high-tech displays.
PRE-REGISTRATION: $20 (admission, registration, insurance and bento lunch), $10 (admission, registration, and insurance – NO BENTO)
REGISTER AT DOOR: $10 (registration, insurance – NO BENTO) to FFNV and $16 (adults) to Hornet for admission, $13 (seniors, students)
DEADLINE: August 21, 2013
Please complete the lower stub and mail by the deadline. If you want a bento, you must pre-register. A pay-as-you-go snack bar (hotdogs, hamburgers, etc.) is available on the ship provided by the Hornet-contracted catering service. A plate of dessert will be very much appreciated. Questions? Brian @ 408-896-1021 ( [email protected]) or Jean @ 408-842-6973 ( [email protected]).