JAPANESE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Vol. II
June 12, 2006 No. 11
CONTACT: Terry Shima (301-987-6746); ttshima@worldnet.att.net)
FOR PHOTO: Access JAVA website, www.javadc.org. On left side scroll to Press
Release and click on heading below. Picture embedded in article.
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By Japanese American Veterans Association
Washington, D.C. The Japanese American Veterans Association participated in two
major events in the Nation’s Capital on Memorial Day, May 29, 2006. First, JAVA
was represented at the Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater Memorial Day program by
three persons: President Bert Mizusawa who was in the audience and two color
bearers, Mike Yaguchi who carried the US flag and Grant Hirabayashi who carried
the JAVA colors. JAVA was among the 20 Veterans Service Organizations that
represented color bearers for the event. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld “urged the
audience members to renew their resolve against US enemies and to count the
country's many soldiers as blessing". President Bush said: "We are reminded why
America has always gone to war reluctantly, because we know the costs of war. We
have seen those costs in the war on terror we fight today."
Following the Arlington Program that ended at noon, the JAVA members joined its
contingent in the National Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue in
Washington, D.C. JAVA's contingent of 19, made up of Vietnamese American,
Chinese American, Korean American, Japanese American and Caucasian, marched
smartly to the cadence of MAJ Sharon Wu Nitsche. The two events, conducted for
the first time, provided visibility to Asian Americans in the armed forces and
name recognition for JAVA. BG Mizusawa and Colonel Sunao Phil and Mrs. Ishio
were invited to sit on the Reviewing Stand.
A large GO FOR BROKE sign carried by Michael Yaguchi and Akira Yoshida led the
JAVA contingent followed by the color bearers John Kiyonaga who carried the
American flag, Floyd Mori, who carried the JAVA color and Chosei Kuge who
carried the 442nd color with battle streamers, borrowed from Senator Daniel
Inouye's office. Kuge said: “I had the honor and privilege
of carrying the 442nd RCT flag. Since most 442nd veterans in this area
are over 80, I hoped they wouldn’t mind a youngster of 76 from the Korean War
carrying the color for them. I know that brother Thomas who was KIA on April 22,
1945 as a member of K Company and brother Toshi who was in the 442nd medics from
Camp Shelby till the end of the war (now deceased) .would have been proud that
their younger brother carried the flag. When we passed the reviewing stand, all
those up there stood and cheered or saluted, including Colonel Phil Ishio, USAR
Ret, Brig. Gen. Bert Mizusawa and GEN Peter Pace who is Chairman, Joint Chiefs
of Staff.
JAVA President BG Mizusawa said he was proud of the JAVA contingent and said
he was interviewed by the Pentagon channel (live) immediately after the JAVA
contingent passed the reviewing stand located between 7th and 9th Streets. JAVA
Vice President Colonel Thomas V. Mukai said the applause and recognition of
Japanese Americans from the on-lookers from the sidelines were gratifying. He
said MAJ Nietsche and CPTs Kay Wakatake and Tino Dinh, active duty personnel in
uniforms, were “truly great assets”.
Sixty years ago in July 1946, President Harry S. Truman reviewed the 442nd RCT
at the Ellipse, following their march down Constitution Avenue, the same path
the JAVA contingent marched on. This was reportedly the first time a US
President reviewed troops of regimental size. The President’s words and his
presence, probably more than anything else, have contributed to the defeat of
prejudice and discrimination and have greatly leveled the “playing field” for
Asian Americans in all future career endeavors, including the military 30