The 442nd RCT 82nd Anniversary banquet was awesome! Special guests included two WWII veterans, both 100+ years, we processed with guidons & veterans photos, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura presented a certificate to the 442 veterans clubs, and our MC was our favorite weatherman, Guy Hagi! Ho’omaika’i veterans — Long live your legacy!
By: Heather Zane, granddaughter of George Goto, 232nd Engineer Co.
In this world there are very few people who change the world for the better. The men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team are among these people. To be perfectly honest, I know very little about what these men went through. I wasn’t alive to meet the young soldiers who sacrificed so much for their country. I have only met the men that these soldiers grew to become. (more…)
This year’s annual banquet honoring the veterans was held at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Sunday, March 28, 2010. The theme for the event was, “Sentimental Journey, a Musical Tribute to the 442nd RCT Veterans”. Over 700 veterans, families and friends attended the banquet.
442nd RCT, 67th Anniversary Banquet: Photo Collection Photographers: Clyde Sugimoto, Wayne Iha, Terry Takaki, Lowell Thom. Click to view photos..
The Registration Packet for the 442nd RCT 82nd Anniversary Banquet is available here. Please read it carefully for deadlines. We look forward to seeing you there.
DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2025 TIME: 10am-1:30pm PLACE: Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter THEME: The War Is Over! COST: $50 per ticket DEADLINE: Check the attached Registration Packet
Feel free to share this with any of your ‘ohana or friends who may be interested in attending.
The 81st Anniversary Banquet was held at Hale `Ikena at Fort Shafter on Saturday, March 23, 2024. The event, themed “Vive la France,” was emceed by Micah Benavitz, high school social studies teacher at Mililani High School. A Guidon Processional was followed by a traditional Hawaiian oli, the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. After a welcome by Wayne Kuwata and opening remarks by Karl Okemura several veterans and spouses were recognized: Roy Fujii, B Battery, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery; Royce Higa, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, A Battery; Cynthia Doi (Antitank Co.); Marian Kubota (L Co./MIS); and Laura Miho (522nd FAB, B Bty.) The highlight of the luncheon was the Presentation of La Légion d’honneur by Honorary Consul of France, Guillaume Maman, assisted by Jeffrey...
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.
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.
Dear Friends of the 442nd RCT,In the past year the veterans of the 442nd RCT, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the MIS received much deserved recognition by being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their bravery and heroism during World War II. They are the highest decorated military unit for its size and length of service in history and their post-war successes in life is also an amazing story.In March 2013, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team will celebrate their 70th Anniversary. We, the Sons and Daughters and friends of the Nisei veterans, are planning a weekend of events to bring them together from across the country and all fighting units to celebrate their friendships, their families, and their achievements during and after the war. In addition,...
“They bought an awful hunk of America with their blood. You’re damn right those Nisei boys have a place in the American heart, now and forever. We cannot allow a single injustice to be done to the Nisei without defeating the purposes for which we fought.” General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell Please help us honor the 442nd Regimental Combat Team on their 70th Anniversary scheduled for March 22 – 24, 2013. With your donation we will be able to host a weekend for veterans, widows, and their families and friends from across the country. To encourage participation by our Nisei veterans and widows of veterans from all units, we will cover the cost of their event meals, including the premier event – the 70th Anniversary banquet, and we need your help....
The activities in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, including the 100th Infantry Battalion, the Military Intelligence Service, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, veterans, families and friends, will consist of, and may not be limited, to the following. Please register early as space is limited Wednesday, March 20 – 9:00 a.m. Recognition at City Hall sponsored by Council Members Chang and Kobayashi Friday, March 22– Official start of Anniversary Celebration 8:00 am – 11:30 am – Optional Tour of Honouliuli Internment Camp 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – 100th Battalion Veterans Memorial Building (aka 100 Clubhouse or Club 100) “At Ease” an informal Hawaiian style get-together. Enter your international pupu from Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Hawaii and the mainland to win...
70th ANNIVERSARY 442ND RCT CUSTOM CHARTER TOURS For MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013 We are offering two tours. All are welcome to join one or both tours. The morning tour will be going to the USS Arizona Memorial. You will be greeted and have an orientation, including a short documentary film. A private boat will take you to the USS Arizona Memorial followed by a museum tour with Staff Historian Amanda Carona. The pick up time will be 6:15am at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (behind Tapa Tower) and about 6:30am at the 100th Infantry Battalion Clubhouse. This tour is for those who are not planning to go to the State Legislature where the veterans will be honored. You will be dropped off at the Hilton or...
Honolulu- On Sunday, March 24, 2013, the 442nd’s 70th Anniversary Banquet was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Over 1,100 veterans, families and friends attended the celebration. From the start, the program revolved around the theme, “The Legacy Lives On”, honoring the veterans and sending a clear message: the story of the 442 will live on through the efforts of the next generation. The program also included a special tribute to the late Senator Daniel Inouye, with the keynote speech delivered by Irene Hirano Inouye.
Here are photos taken of the event, compliments of Clyde Sugimoto, Pat Thompson, Wayne Iha, Lowell Thom, Hal Ing, Terry Takaki, and Stan Oka. Click below to open.
A Memorial Service and Family Picnic was held on March 23, 2013 on the grounds of Fort DeRussey as part of the 70th Anniversary celebration. the Memorial Service was a beautiful and solemn event recognizing the 21 Medal of Honor recipients, followed by a tour of the Army Museum and Family Picnic with a yummy bento, activities for the kids and lucky number give aways for all. Please enjoy some of the photos of the events below:
The 442nd’s 71st Anniversary Banquet was held on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Pomaika’i Ballrooms at Dole Cannery – Iwilei, Honolulu. The theme of the event was “We Will Never Forget” as an affirmation that the legacy of the 442nd RCT will live on. The program featured a keynote speech delivered by Eric Saul, Military Historian and Curator. Here are photos taken of the event, compliments of Ann Kabasawa, Clyde Sugimoto, Pat Thompson, Wayne Iha, Lowell Tom, Hal Ing, Terry Takaki, and Stan Oka. Click below to open.
UPDATE 2 – Assistance Needed • ALL S&D members and families attending the banquet Assistance is needed on banquet day: 1) Drivers may be needed to pick up veterans/wives and elder guests and bring to the Sheraton. 2) Help may be needed to escort veterans from drop-off at the Sheraton drive way (by valet service) to the ballroom, before and after the event. Wheelchairs will be available for those who need to use one. Arrival time for volunteers, 8:45 please. 3) Helpers to place favors and centerpieces on tables. Arrival time 8:00. Please email Mae Isonaga, maeisonaga@mac.com if you can help with any of these duties. • Come Early! The banquet committee will show a 23 minute documentary, “Senator Inouye: As Told By His Son”,...
By Lynn Heirakuji, S&D member The 442nd Regimental Combat Team 74th Anniversary Banquet was held at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel on Sunday, March 26, 2017. The 442nd Veterans Club sponsored the annual affair, which was attended by about 440 people – 49 Nisei veterans also signed up for the event. Ken Inouye, son of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, served as the Master of Ceremonies and Governor David Y. Ige rendered the moving keynote address. The Governor, son of a 100th Infantry Battalion veteran, reminded the audience of the climate of racial hysteria that gripped the Nation in the aftermath of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. This fear and prejudice led the U.S. President to issue Executive Order 9066, which directed the forced...
2.25.2018 Update It’s not too late to register for the 75th Anniversary of the 442nd RCT banquet! The deadline has been moved back to March 7. Please share this information with your friends and family. Important change: The doors will open at 9:30 instead of 10 AM. The plan is to start the procession into the ballroom at 10 AM; we hope folks can be in their seats by then. We made the change to keep the program as short as possible out of respect for our very elderly veterans. We are looking for volunteers to be Guidon Bearers representing all the 442 companies, to march in the opening procession. We have some volunteers, but are looking for more! If your veteran loved one is...
Thank you from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team 75th Anniversary Banquet planning committee Contributed by S&D member Mae Isonaga (and 442nd Legacy Center director) Mahalo to the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (S&D) for helping make the 442nd RCT’s 75th Anniversary Banquet, “Remembering – With Pride and Gratitude”, a success. The monetary support and the hours of hard work by the S&D are greatly appreciated by the Banquet Committee. The monetary donation helped pay registration and parking fees for veterans and their wives and for widows of veterans. There were 47 veterans registered and 50 wives and widows. Close to 600 people attended the March 18th, 2018 banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Special mahalo to Gwen Fujie, who planned a...
The 79th Anniversary Banquet was held at Hale `Ikena at Fort Shafter on Saturday, March 26, 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 102 guests in attendance, including 442nd veterans Harold Afuso (H Co) and wife Patsy, Roy Fujii (522 B Bty), Royce Higa (522 A Bty), Jack Nakamura (B Co), and Tadao Yoshimoto (E Co). Six widows of veterans were also present, including Cynthia Doi (Mrs. Masato Doi, Antitank Company), Mildred Tahara (Mrs. Yoshiyuki “Fat” Tahara, 2nd Battalion, H Company), Laura Miho (Mrs. Katsugo Miho, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery), Muriel Kashiwa (Mrs. Genro Kashiwa, 3rd Battalion, L Company), Genny Matsumoto (Mrs. Paul Kazuo Matsumoto, 3rd Battalion, L Company), and Frances Aoyama (Mrs. Tsugio, 2nd Battalion, Headquarters Company). The...