JAPANESE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2006
CONTACT: Terry Shima (301-987-6746); ttshima@worldnet.att.net)
FOR PHOTO: Access JAVA website, www.javadc.org, scroll to press release and
click on subject below.
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JAVA DEEPENS RELATIONSHIP WITH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. GENERAL MUKOYAMA
APPOINTED VICE CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS
Washington, D.C. The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA), a nationwide
veteran’s service organization that serves the interest of Asian American
veterans, has deepened its relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The active participation in Department of Veterans Affairs programs will enhance
the stature and recognition of over 310,800 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and
other Pacific Islands veterans.
JAVA’s principal contact in the Veterans Administration is Mr. Kevin Secor,
Special Assistant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Veteran Service
Organizations (VSO). Mr. Secor was appointed as the Secretary’s VSO Liaison on
November 28, 2005. A retired Master Gunnery Sergeant, his tour of duty included
an assignment as Senior Marine Aide/Military Assistant to the Vice Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Senior Enlisted Marine to the Joint Staff. Mr.
Secor keeps veterans organizations informed of the Department’s goals and
priorities while conveying to the Secretary their concerns and suggestions.
Additionally, JAVA is establishing a partnership with the Department’s Center
for Minority Veterans (CMV). The CMV was established in 1994 and represents the
interests of 4.5 million minority veterans, or 18.7 percent of the total veteran
population. The CMV Director, Ms. Lucretia M. McClenney was appointed to the
position in December 2005. A retired Colonel, US Army Nurse Corps, Ms. McClenney,
serves in this position as the principal advisor to Secretary on the adoption
and implementation of policies and programs affecting minority veterans, and
also manages the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV).
Additional information on the Center for Minority Veterans may be obtained from
its website at www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans.
Retired Major General James H. Mukoyama, Jr., USAR, of Glenview, Illinois was
assigned late last year to the position of Vice Chair of the Secretary’s
Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. General Mukoyama was appointed to the
13 member Committee in June 2003. The Committee was chartered on January 30,
1995, and is responsible for advising the Secretary and Congress on Veterans
Administration’s oversight of benefits and services to minority veterans.
General Mukoyama, a life member of JAVA and a Vietnam War veteran, was the
youngest general officer when he was promoted to Brigadier General in 1987.
Subsequently, he was the youngest Major General when he received his second star
three years later. He was the first Asian American to command an Army Division.
MG Mukoyama
Located next to the CMV is the Center for Women Veterans, which was established
in 1994. The Center’s Director is retired U.S.Air Force/Air National guard Major
General Irene Trowell-Harris. Maj. General Trowell-Harris has served in this
position since October 2001 and serves as the primary advisor to the Secretary
on matters affecting women veterans. The Center’s mission is to assure that
women veterans receive benefits and services on par with male veterans, ensure
they encounter no discrimination in their attempt to access these services and
that all women veterans are treated with respect and dignity. Additional
information on services available to women veterans can be obtain from their
website http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/. Women veterans and active duty women are
encouraged to register with the Women in Military Service For America Memorial.
The Memorial is located at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery and is open
everyday for tours. For more information on the Women’s Memorial and membership,
please visit their website http://www.womensmemorial.org/.
Other JAVA initiatives include:
JAVA is currently seeking Associate Membership in the Veterans Day National
Committee, which plans and arranges the National Veterans Day Program at the
Arlington Cemetery. JAVA wishes to add the Asian American perspective in the
annual prestigious event that is traditionally attended by the President, the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Participation in
this program will complement JAVA’s annual Veterans Day Program held at the
National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism.
Dr. Warren Minami, a well known JAVA member, was selected to be a member of a
four person panel discussion at the Veterans Administration on May 11, 2005, to
celebrate the Asian Pacific American Heritage month. Each panel member discussed
the challenges his ethnic group faced in adjusting to the American way of life.
JAVA joined 29 veterans service organizations, under the aegis of the Veterans
Administration, to request the US Postal Service to issue commemorative stamps
that honors the significant contributions of veterans’ organizations. 30