Past Events

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Senator Inouye’s Memorial Service

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Remembrance of Senator Dan Inouye’s Punchbowl Memorial Service 

By Grace Tsubata Fujii    

 

        December 23, 2012, Sunday:  WWII AJA 100Bn/442RCT/MIS/1399thBn veterans and families (Limited to 100) were accorded VIP treatment at Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s memorial service at the National Memorial of the Pacific (Punchbowl). We reported at 6:00 am to the 100th Battalion Veterans Clubhouse. An hour later boarded 2 buses arriving at Punchbowl around 7:30 bypassing other waiting vehicles without our having to go through mandatory body checks at the entrance as other guests. Was shocked that we had special 442 RCT seating and able to view the ceremony so well. Glad our sturdy veterans weathered their long 8 hour day. Huge Appreciation to Command Sgt. Major Beau Tatsumura for coordinating with senator’s office in securing this security clearance with VIP status.

        There was a huge group of 100Bn/442RCT Army reservists on duty hovering over the veterans and families, offering water bottles, escorting us to potty breaks and inquiring as to our well-being, making sure we were comfortable, passing sun-screen lotion, holding umbrellas to shield us from the hot sun. You could tell that they were enjoying their duties as much as we appreciated their concerns and reassurance. The EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) reservist returned time and again to check on the veterans. So caring. Huge Mahalo to these gentlemen also.

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Speech on 70th Anniversary of the 100th Infantry Battalion

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Thank you to Judge Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Jr. for allowing us to post the speech he gave at the 100th Infantry Battalion’s 70th Anniversary Banquet on July 8, 2012 at the Honolulu Country Club.

Good Morning to All.
I humbly offer all honor and respect to the Great Spirit who has made this day and who has given us a humble part in it; and to the sands of your birth, wherever that may be; to the memory of our ancestors; to the elders who are present; and to the leaders and other guests in attendance; and most of all, I bow in respect to the veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, and to their descendants and other family members here today, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the 100th Battalion.

I was invited to offer my thoughts on the contributions of the 100th Battalion to the community. I was born in 1945, so I am a member of the “baby boomer” generation—the generation after the 100th Battalion veterans. This is the vantage point of my perspective. Most of you already know the specifics of some or most of the contributions of these veterans, but I humbly offer my own brief but broad perspectives on this topic. I have entitled my remarks “The Essence (S-sense) of the 100th Battalion’s Contributions to the Community.”  I say “S-sense” because I will speak of 3 Ss. Read more »

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100th’s 70th Anniversary Celebration

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The 100th Infantry Battalion held it’s 70th Anniversary celeration at the Honolulu Country Club on Sunday, July 8, 2012. About 350 people attended the milestone event, including a large group from Maui. The luncheon centered around the event’s theme, “For Continued Service, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. Veterans from the 442 joined in the celebration.

Here are a few photos of the event, compliments of Wayne Iha, Clyde Sugimoto and Pat Thompson.

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Pacific Aviation Museum Event

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Honolulu, Hawaii- Veterans, family and friends gathered at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island for a day of fun and education. The event was sponored by the 442 Sons & daughters and was held on Saturday, July 14, 2012. Approximately 100 people attended. The group participated in specially arranged tours of the museum organized by Laughlin Tanaka, who works as a curator at the museum. The event also included lunch, a brief program and gifts for everyone.

Congratulations to the 442 SD PAM Committee on a job well done! Everyone enjoyed to event. In addition to Laughlin, other committee members include: Gail Nishimura, Debbie & Mark Oshiro, Shirley Igarashi, Karen Kikukawa, Karlton Tomomitsu and Irvin Yoshino.

The following photos of the event were taken by Wayne Iha, Clyde Sugimoto and Pat Thompson.

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CGMA Kona Event

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KONA, Hawaii — A Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony honoring the World War II Nisei veterans was held June 15, 2012 at Kekuaokalani Gym in Kona.  More than 700 veterans, family members and friends attended the event. Major General Robert G. F. Lee (retired) made the presentation to the veterans. In addition, replica gold medals were given family members in honor of those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd RCT and the MIS.

The Rafu Shimpo, Los Angeles Japanese Daily Newspaper, published a great article on the event, titled, “Big Island Salute”.  Click here to read the article

The following photographs were taken by Akinori Imai:

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442SD General Membership Meeting

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The Sons & Daughters of the 442 RCT held their annual General Membership Meeting on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The luncheon was held at the Treetops Restaurant in Manoa. Members were able to socialize over lunch and watch a short video presentation: “Going for Honor, Going for Broke: the 442 Story”, produced by George T. Johnston. The meeting included a brief update of the ongoing projects and events. In addition, the members also voted for the new officers for the Chapter:

  • Wes Deguchi:          President
  • Al Sadanaga:           1st Vice President
  • Wade Wasano:        2nd Vice President
  • Shirley Igarashi:       Treasurer
  • Susan Yoshitomi:     Secretary

Click below to view photos of the event, courtsey of Clyde Sugimoto.

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69th Anniversary Banquet *Cannon Company*

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The following slide show highlights the veterans of Cannon Company who attended the 442nd Anniversary Banquet held on March 25, 2012. It was created by Geralyn Holck, daughter-in -law of the late Wilbert Sanderson “Sandy” Holck of Cannon Company.

 

Click here to watch slide show

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442 Anniversary Banquet, 2012

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The 442nd Veterans Club held their 69th anniversary banquet on Sunday, March 25, 2012. The festive event was held at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki. Over 500 attended, including many of the veterans, together with their family members. Actor Cary Tagawa delivered the keynote speech.

Click below to view photos of the event, compliments of photographers: Ann Kabasawa, Clyde Sugimoto and Pat Thompson.

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Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at Punchbowl

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As part of the two day celebration of the Congressional Gold Medal Hawaii Event, service was held on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Over 400 attended the ceremony to honor the men of the 100th, 442nd, MIS and 1399th who are no longer with us today.  Lt. General (Ret.) Joseph Peterson, former Deputy Commander, FORSCOM was the keynote speaker.

The following photographs of the event were taken by Wayne Iha.

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Congressional Gold Medal Award Hawaii Event

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The CGM Hawaii celebration was held on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The day began with a military parade through Waikiki and culminated with a grand banquet at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Over 3,000 people attended the luncheon, honoring the veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion.

The following photos capture the event, compliments of Wayne Iha.

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CGM Hawaii Parade

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2012 Officers for the 442

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The 442nd Veterans Club held it’s December Board of Directors meeting on Monday, December 5, 2011. The lunch meeting was held at the Maple Gardens Restaurant in Honolulu. In addition to normal business matters, the meeting also recognized the incoming officers for 2012. President Bill Thompson has elected to step down from his position after five years of superb leardership and representation of the Club. A job well done. Everyone at the luncheon expressed much appreciation for his efforts.

The new officers of the Club were sworn into their respective offices by George Nakasato, Chairman of the 442nd RCT Foundation. The officers for 2012 are:

Ron Oba:                      President

Wes Deguchi:               1st Vice President

Joe Oshiro:                   2nd Vice President

Wade Wasano:              3rd Vice President

Takashi Shirakata:         Treasurer

Esther Umeda:               Secretary

(Photograph by Wayne Iha)

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CGM Hawaii Event * December 17, 2011

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A national ceremony for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal was held in Washington DC on Novemebr 2, 2011. Over 2,500 veterans and family members attended the three day event. The veteran organizations of Hawaii will be holding it’s own celebaration honoring the Nisei of World War II. The two day event will include a parade, luncheon and ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific. For more information, go to the following website:

www.congressionalgoldmedalhawaii.com  

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2011 Joint Memorial Service

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The sixth annual Joint Memorial Service was held on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at the National Memorial Cemetery fo the Pacific. The annual event is sponsored by the AJA Veterans Council. It recognizes and honors all four World War II nisei veteran units: The 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. The program was highlighted by Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, who gave the memorial address to a crowd of over 400. 

Click below to view photos taken by Wayne Iha, Clyde Sugimoto, Pat Thompson and Gary Saito.

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Bruyeres + Honolulu Event

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