Vol. 7, No. 82, February 4, 2025

In This Issue…

• President’s Message
• The Ireicho – Book of Names is Coming to Washington D.C.!
• Norio Uyematsu Named One of the Most Influential Persons of Orange County
• TopGolf Social Event Update
• Mark Your Calendar! 2025 General Membership Meeting
• JAVA Scholarships Coming Soon!
• Upcoming JAVA Events

President’s Message

Washington, DC.   This year holds special significance as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This moment not only marked the triumph of democracy but also the beginning of the strong friendship between the United States and Japan. Central to this transformation were the Nisei soldiers of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Their contributions extended far beyond the battlefield—they played critical roles at both the strategic and operational levels during the U.S. occupation of Japan, ensuring a smooth transition and successful rebuilding effort. However, their grassroots, people-to-people engagement truly made the difference. Through direct interactions with Japanese people, the Nisei soldiers helped rebuild trust, establish democratic principles, and bridge the cultural divide. While policy changes were implemented at the highest levels, their success depended on the personal efforts of the Nisei soldiers—interpreting, advising, and forging relationships that ultimately strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance. Annual General Meeting & Awards Ceremony – February 8, 2025 I invite all members to join us for the JAVA Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, February 8, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. This important gathering will provide updates on JAVA’s strategic initiatives, upcoming events, and ways for members to get involved. A special highlight of the AGM will be our Annual Awards Ceremony, where we will recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to supporting JAVA’s mission. These awards celebrate the dedication of individuals who have gone above and beyond in preserving the legacy of WWII Nisei soldiers in the U.S. military. We encourage all members to attend and join us in honoring these remarkable individuals. As we reflect on the courage and sacrifices of our WWII Nisei soldiers, let us reaffirm our commitment to sharing their stories and inspiring future generations. I look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM and throughout the year as we work together to strengthen JAVA and its impact. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication. I look forward to an impactful year ahead! By Howard High

The Ireichō – Book of Names is coming to Washington D.C.!

Washington D.C. Each year on February 19, the Day of Remembrance marks the anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that led to the wrongful mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. This year in Washington, DC, JACL DC is proud to support two separate events that will commemorate EO9066:                                       Tues., Feb.18, 6:30 to 7:30 pm Event: Panel Discussion Free Public Program & display of Ireichō and original copy of Executive Order 9066 (no stamping) In-person and online. Venue: National Archives, William G. McGowan Theater, 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408 Details and registration: here.   Wed., Feb. 19, Thurs., Feb. 20 and Fri., Feb. 21, 1 to 4 pm Event: Stamp the Ireichō! Members of the public are invited to stamp the Ireicho by reservation only. To make a reservation, send an email here by January 29, 2025. A link will be sent to you. (In-person only) Venue: Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, 3 West, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560 Details: here.   ————————————————————————- National Tour of The Ireichō – Book of Names This year, the National Archives on the National Mall will host a public commemorative program to kick off the National Tour of the Ireicho on Tues., Feb. 18 at 6:30 pm with nationally recognized speakers: Dr. Colleen Shogan, National Archives Dr. Anthea Hartig, Smithsonian National Museum of American History Dr. Duncan Ryūken Williams, Irei Project Director and USC Professor Shirley Ann Higuchi, JD, Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, Descendant of survivors Ann Burroughs, Japanese American National Museum The program discussion will focus on Executive Order 9066 that was enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the recently created Ireichō Book of Names. Both will be viewable in a special one-day exhibit. ————————————————————————- Stamp the Ireichō – Book of Names For the first time on the East Coast, the public is invited to stamp the Ireichō and become part of this remembrance project.The Smithsonian National Museum of American History will feature a special display and stamping opportunity of The Ireichō – Book of Names on three days, February 19, 20 and 21; 1 to 4 pm by reservation only. Bring your family and friends.  To reserve, send an email to: [email protected] Subject Line: JACL DC Email: Ireicho ————————————————————————- What is the Ireichō?  The Ireichō is a large format book, envisioned as a monument representing the first comprehensive listing of 125,284 persons of Japanese ancestry who were incarcerated in some 75 federally run detention centers during World War II. Led by University of Southern California Professor Duncan Ryuken Williams, The Irei Project is a non-profit organization that created the book with a team of artists and researchers, based on three years of research using government rosters, train transfer lists, internee cards, Japanese-language internee directories, and other archival materials.   The Ireichō Project aims to provide a healing experience by inviting the public to place a small mark using a Japanese “hanko” stamp under the name of someone in the book who has not yet been acknowledged. The project’s goal is to have each of the 125,284 names in the book honored during a 20-month national tour to the 10 former WWII War Relocation Authority incarceration sites. For the past two years, the book has been hosted at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles and some 80,000 names have been stamped by survivors, descendants and community members. These events in Washington, D.C. will launch the national tour of the Ireichō, starting at the place of origin of Executive Order 9066 and reaching all 10 of the main incarceration sites and beyond. For more information of the Ireicho National Tour, go here. [Ed Note: Thank you to the JACL for granting us permission to post this announcement.]

Norio Uyematsu Named One of the Most Influential Persons in Orange County

Washington D.C.

Anaheim, California.

Norio Uyematsu, of Anaheim, California, has been named by the Orange County Register newspaper to its 125 Most Influential Persons in Orange County for 2024. Uyematsu just turned 94 in January and has been traveling to Japan and throughout the U.S. to preserve the Japanese American legacy as well as to promote the forgotten stories of those that fought and served in the Korean War. His two year project will come to fruition this February in having the 2025 State of Utah Day of Remembrance in his second home town of Brigham City, Utah and seeing the grand opening of the first Japanese pioneer exhibit in Box Elder County history at the Brigham City Museum on February 15, 2025. A JAVA lifetime member, he will have his interview that was taped at the FDR Presidential Library, last May, be shown on the FDR Library You Tube on its DOR on February 19, 2025 at https://www.youtube.com/user/FDRLibrary

We were honored to have Norio Uyematsu as our Veterans Day keynote speaker last November in Washington D.C.

[Ed Note: A thank you to Patti Hirahara for bringing attention to Norio Uyematsu’s achievement.]

TopGolf Social Event Update

National Harbor, MD.

JAVA will be hosting its first networking event! JAVA would like to take this moment to thank our veterans for everything that they do. Too many times, our veterans only gather and see one another at somber events. We would like to change that and give back to them. 

On Saturday, February 15th. 2024, we will be enjoying a gathering at the hosting a Topgolf Event at the National Harbor in Maryland. It will be free for registered JAVA members and $18 for non-JAVA members. The event will include:

• 2- hours of gameplay
• Lifetime membership at Topgolf 
• Free iced tea and soft drinks

We will also have an unofficial book signing with Wade Ishimoto for The Intoku Code: Delta Force’s Intelligence Officer―Doing Good in Secret. Please bring your book and meet the author. We will have copies of the book available for purchase at the event. 

We encourage everyone to spread the word and encourage veterans to attend.

You can learn more about Topgolf at: https://topgolf.com/us/national-harbor/

How Can You Help Support the Event

We realize that some people may not like golf or may not be able to attend, but may still wish to support the event.

For this event, we would like to supply food for our attendees, free of cost. Below will be a link to a specific donation form for this and future social events. Our goal is $1,500 by January 15th. 

If you choose to donate by check, please indicate that the check is a “2025 Social Event” donation in the memo section or note.

JAVA hopes to have more social events in the future, trying different events and hosting events across the Nation. Please help us make this event a success.

Mark your Calendar! General Membership Meeting

Bethesda, MD.

Saturday, February 8, 2025
2:00 pm EST/ 11:00 pm PST / 9:00 am HST

JAVA’s General Membership Meeting will be held virtually on Google Meet. All are welcome to attend. The main focus of the annual meeting will be discussing JAVA’s future direction and activities. Howard High will review JAVA initiatives, JAVA Committees will report on activities, and the 2025 JAVA Awards will be presented. 

The link for the meeting will be to all JAVA members and Friends of JAVA through an e-mail blast on the 6th of February. 

The planned agenda is as follows:

Call to Order – Howard High, JAVA President
Welcome Remarks – Danielle Ngo, JAVA Vice President
Pledge of Allegiance – Wade Ishimoto
EC Introductions & Remarks – Howard High, JAVA President
Awards Presentation – Bob Vokac
Proposed By-law Amendment – Howard High
EC Reports

o Secretary
o Treasurer
o Communications
o Finance Chair
o Hawai’i Regional Representative
o Nominations Chair
o Outreach Chair
o Scholarship Chair
o Executive Director

Open Floor to Member Questions and Comments
Event Reports: Freedom Walk, Memorial Day, Day of Affirmation, Veterans Day
Future Events
Closing – Howard High
Adjournment – Howard High

JAVA Scholarships Coming Soon!

Celebrating the Legacy of World War II Nisei Military Service
 

The Japanese American Veterans Association is excited to announce its annual Memorial Scholarship Program for 2025 to start February 24th. The scholarships will benefit a range of graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students, and post-graduate and professional education students.

The scholarships include The U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) honoring the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service; the Ishio Founder’s Scholarship ($3,000), awarded in memory of JAVA’s founder, Colonel Sunao Phil Ishio, U.S. Army, his wife Constance and their son Douglas Ishio; the Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship ($2,000), a tribute to Ms. Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin, a longtime supporter of JAVA; as well as JAVA Memorial Scholarships ($1,500), honoring Nisei veterans, JAVA members and/or their family members.

2025 Memorial Scholarships

• Dr. Americo Bugliani Scholarship in honor of his liberator, Paul Sakamoto, 100th Infantry Battalion/44nd RCT Veteran
   
• Furumoto Family Scholarship in honor of JAVA member and Vietnam Veteran, Tak Furumoto and his wife, Carolyn
   
• Ranger Grant Hirabayashi Scholarship in honor of Ranger Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, MIS and Ranger Hall of Fame inductee
   
• Izuno Family Scholarship in honor of JAVA member and Korea War Veteran, Dr. Takumi Izuno who served in the U.S. Army 5th Military Intelligence Service
   
• Colonel Jimmie Kanaya Scholarship in honor of U.S. Army Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, a three-war Veteran – World War II, Korea, and Vietnam
   
• Mitsugi Kasai Scholarship in honor of CWO4 Mitsugi Murakami Kasai, MIS Veteran
   
• Sadami Katahara Scholarship in hnor of Sadami Katahara, 100th Infantry Battalion Veteran
   
• Ben Kuroki Scholarship in honor of Sergeant Ben Kuroki, a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps 505th Bombardment Group
   
• Vic & Teru Matsui Scholarship in honor of Victor Matsui, MIS Veteran, and his wife, Teru

Descendants of those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, and the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; and descendants of Japanese American soldiers who served during World War II in other United States military units to include the Women’s Army Corps or Army Nurses Corps are eligible to apply for a JAVA Scholarship.

Current members of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2023 are eligible to apply. Children of current JAVA members are also eligible to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2023.

In addition, past or present members of the U.S. Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment are eligible and encouraged to apply for the U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship. Also eligible are individuals enrolled in a college or university Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course. Applicants should demonstrate their lifelong commitment to public and uniformed service leadership for the nation.

Applicants should first review published rules and forms. Applications and supporting documents must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., April 30, 2025, to the JAVA Scholarship Committee with either “2025 Inouye Memorial Scholarship,” “2025 Ishio Founder’s Memorial Scholarship,” “2025 Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship,” or “2025 JAVA Memorial Scholarship” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Applications not received by that date or that fail to meet the submission requirements will NOT be considered. Applicants will be notified of a decision by June 7, 2025. Awards will be presented at a JAVA scholarship awards ceremony June 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Please visit our JAVA Scholarship webpage (https://java-us.org/scholarship/) for requirements and more information

Upcoming JAVA Events

Saturday, February 8th, 2 PM ET. General Membership Virtual Meeting. Google Meet.

Saturday, February 15, 10 AM ET. JAVA Topgolf Event. Topgolf National Harbor, 6400 Clipper Way Oxon Hill, MD 20745.

Saturday, March 29th, 9 AM ET. 27th Annual Freedom Walk. National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II. Washington, D.C.

Sunday, May 25th.  77th Annual Memorial Day Event. Arlington National Cemetery.

Saturday, June 28th.  17th Annual JAVA Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Facebook.