Vol. 6, No. 74, June 1, 2024
In This Issue…
President’s Message
JAVA was quite busy during May. In support of the Asian American Native Hawai’ian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month observances, JAVA members participated and represented JAVA in several virtual and in-person events. The central event of May for JAVA was the Memorial Day Service, which we helped sponsor along with the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, JACL – DC Chapter, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and the Kobayashi Family. You can see some images from the event on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVqn7r3loxw
In June, we will be working mainly on developing regional presence and representation. Currently, JAVA is still DC-centric. Most of our activities are centered around the Washington, DC, area. But thanks to our representative in Hawai’i, Lynn Mariano, JAVA is a known entity there. If you want to join our efforts to expand JAVA’s presence and activities nationwide, please get in touch with our Executive Director, Antoinette Phelps, at javapotomac@gmail.com.
Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism And Hate During World War II
| Available July 23! |
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| Cover of Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II. Provided by Gregg Jones. Gregg Jones reached out to JAVA to let us know about his new book. Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II is a biography of Ben Kuroki. As many of you know, JAVA has a scholarship in memory of Ben Kuroki every year, funded by Ben Kuroki’s daughter, Julie Kuroki. With his scholarship’s winner about to be announced next month to the public, this is the perfect time to learn more about Ben Kuroki. This book is an insight into Ben Kuroki’s life and accomplishments, highlighting his bravery, heroism, and military record. |
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| Ben after his 30th and final mission in Europe, in which he was nearly killed when enemy fire shattered his top turret around his head. Photo provided by Gregg Doss. The book goes on sale on July 23 and the official release date is August 1. It will have a terrific 32-page photo insert, with many never-published images from Ben’s Smithsonian NMAH collection. |
| Message From the AuthorI first became aware of Ben Kuroki’s remarkable story as a child learning about my uncle’s disappearance with a B-24 bomber crew in World War II. As it happened, Ben served in the same Eighth Air Force B-24 group with my uncle, and they flew many of the same missions in the summer of 1943, including the deadly low-level raid on the Axis oil refineries at Ploiesti, Romania. My uncle didn’t complete his combat tour in Europe—he disappeared two months to the day after the Ploiesti raid. But Ben not only survived 30 missions in Europe and North Africa—he went on to fly another 28 missions as a B-29 tail gunner in the Pacific, and he returned home for the second time as one of America’s great heroes of World War II. There is so much more to Ben’s story, and most of it is there in the pages of Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II. I hope that my book about Ben will help keep alive the memory of this great American hero. |
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| Author Gregg Jones. Provided by Gregg Jones.Gregg Jones, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize as a newspaper journalist, is the author of Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II. He is also the author of three previous nonfiction books, including Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines’ Finest Hour in Vietnam, recipient of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Gen. Wallace M. Greene Jr. Award for distinguished nonfiction, and Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America’s Imperial Dream, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice |
2024 All Services Retiree Seminar
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| Ted Iijima speaking at the 2024 All Services Retiree Seminar. Photo taken by MCPO Cynthia Moneda, USCG. Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA. The NorCal CG Retiree Council (NCCGRC) in partnership with Base Alameda hosted the 30th All Services Retiree Seminar on April 27, 2024. This year we hosted over 150 attendees made up of DOD, USCG, National Guard, and USPHS retirees, dependents, caregivers, and annuitants.We continue to receive outstanding support from many organizations that provide a wealth of relevant information to our attendees. This year we had five formal presentations from Health Net Federal Services (TRICARE West), MOAA National Financial and Benefits Education/Counseling/Veteran Services, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Elder Protection Unit, Military Legal Services, and Travis AFB Passenger Services (Space-A). Additionally, each speaker spent time at their exhibitor table answering one-on-one questions. In addition to the formal presentations, three of our exhibitors highlighted their programs between the formal presentations. The Alameda Chapter of MOAA highlighted California Legislative initiatives affecting military retiree pay and benefits. Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation spoke about eligibility prioritization and the process of allowing our veterans to see the memorials built in their honor. Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV) provided us with an overview of the challenges faced by our Japanese American citizens during WWII who were forcibly relocated from their homes and businesses on the West Coast to include Hawaii, while many of the second-generation Japanese Americans either volunteered or were drafted into the military. Their exhibit is located aboard the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA.Within the exhibitor room, we provided a continental breakfast and refreshments before and between presentations to allow our attendees time to interact with our 25 exhibitors. In addition to those listed above, our exhibitors included Disabled American Veterans – National Service Office Oakland, Veterans Benefits Administration – Oakland Regional Office, National Cemetery Administration – Pacific Division, Veterans Health Administration – Northern California, Public Affairs, FBI San Francisco Field Office – Community Outreach, Alameda County Veterans Services Office, Social Security Administration, American Legion Post 647, US Navy League – Oakland, US Navy League – Pacific Central, Moffett Field Commissary, VFW Post 9601, ContigoU, SeaWest CG FCU, First Command, and CG Legal – Pacific. The success of this year’s seminar is due to the outstanding support received from Base Alameda, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) 91105, Port Security Unit (PSU) 312, Sea Cadets-Hanford Squadron, and the Base Alameda PCPOs. Taking time from their already busy schedules, these Commands assisted with the planning, facilities, and personnel to support the event providing static displays, ID Card services for 22, the galley serving meals to over 50 attendees as well as providing coffee and juice for the entire seminar and Base Security quickly and professionally screened over 200 attendees, speakers, and exhibitors providing smooth access to the seminar. Following the success of this year’s seminar, we are excited to host our 31st All Services Retiree Seminar in April 2025. We hope to see you there! |
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| Ted Iijima. Photo provided by Jason Kuroiwa. [Ed Note: This article was written by MCPO David Swanson, USCG (Ret), who graciously allowed us to publish his article in this edition of the e-Advocate. The article will be published in the “Long Blue Line” which is the USCG Retiree Newsletter (https://www.longblueline.org/). |
76th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
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| Arlington National Cemetery (2024). Photo provided by the JACL. Washington, D.C. This year was the 76th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Hosting it alongside JAVA was the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL), national and DC chapters, and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF), we came together to remember the Japanese American Veterans who were buried at the Arlington National Ceremony. 175 bundles of flowers, red, white, and blue, were placed at the graves of service members buried there, honoring their service. This year’s theme was Remembering, Honoring, Unifying. The guest speaker was Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class John Gise. He is from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and curator of the Wall of Spies, an exhibit of 200 espionage stories from America’s founding to contemporary times. He spent time talking about each point in this year’s theme. Remembering. He spoke of the history of the Arlington National Cemetery and how it came to be. Honoring. He talked of the first Japanese American soldiers who were brought to and buried in the cemetery. Unifying. He spoke of the memorial he wanted to see erected in honor of the Nisei so that tours would speak of them and share their history with the public. John Gise’s speech was captivating, but it was only one part of many great speakers. 5th grader, Soren Wilkes from Matsunaga Elementary School, gave his own speech, preceeding Mr. Gise’s. He was met with a standing ovation and a comment from Mr. Gise that he would be a hard act to follow, taking the time to shake Mr. Wilkes’s hand before going to the podium. Marie Kuge, the niece of PFC Thomas Kuge 442nd, followed up Mr. Gise’s speech with her family history, giving a brief biography of he uncle Thomas Kuge, and her father’s, Chose Kuge, thoughts regarding the complexity of two questions his family was forced to answer during the loyalty questionnaire while interned.”Are you willing to serve in the U.S. military” and “Will you forswear all allegiance to Japan.” It was a difficult decision to make at the time. By answering yes to those questions, they would be left without a country. Forswearing citizenship from Japan and being barred citizenship from the United States. The family united in saying yes to both questions. Michelle Amano helped end the ceremony by reciting the Japanese American Creed. With every veteran present at the ceremony being acknowledged, the ceremony ended with the playing of tap, every attendee facing forward towards the graves in front of them, quietly sending their respects and thanking the deceased for their service. |
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| Service members in attendance stand for the playing of Taps for those buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. Provided by JACL-DC. Howard High’s Remarks (As Prepared) Today, we come together to remember and honor the brave souls who have served our nation with unwavering dedication. This day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by countless heroes to protect our freedoms and way of life. We pay special tribute today to the World War II Nisei Soldiers. Despite facing harsh discrimination and incarceration, they chose to serve their country with unparalleled courage and patriotism. Their story is about incredible bravery and an enduring spirit that shines brightly in our history. These soldiers faced prejudice at home but stood tall and fought bravely on Europe and the Pacific battlefields. Their courage and resilience exemplify the highest standards of honor and duty. They fought for a country that questioned their loyalty, proving their commitment to justice and freedom through their actions and sacrifices. As we reflect on their legacy, we are reminded of the profound importance of unity. The Nisei Soldiers, in the midst of division and discrimination, showed us that we can stand together and fight for a common cause. Their resilience and dedication to a cause greater than themselves inspire us to uphold the values of justice, honor, and unity. Let us always remember the extraordinary bravery and unbreakable spirit of the Nisei Soldiers. Their contributions and sacrifices will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. By honoring their memory, we affirm our commitment to ensuring that their legacy of courage and unity endures for future generations. Today, as we stand together, we pledge to remember these heroes and honor their sacrifice by fostering unity and upholding the principles they fought bravely to protect. Their story is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite as one nation to pursue freedom and justice. May we never forget the valor and sacrifice of the Nisei Soldiers. May we never forget the courage and sacrifice of the Nisei Soldiers. With a renewed commitment, let us honor their memory and strive for a future built on principles that we all hold dear. Thank you. |
| Japanese American Creed I am proud that I am an American citizen of Japanese ancestry, for my very background makes me appreciate more fully the wonderful advantages of this Nation. I believe in her institutions, ideals, and traditions; I glory in her heritage; I boast of her history; I trust in her future. She has granted me liberties and opportunities such as no individual enjoys in this world today. She has given me an education befitting kings. She has entrusted me with the responsibilities of the franchise. She has permitted me to build a home, to earn a livelihood, to worship, think, speak, and act as I please—as a free man equal to every other man. Although some individuals may discriminate against me, I shall never become bitter or lose faith, for I know that such persons are not representative of the majority of the American people. True, I shall do all in my power to discourage such practices, but I shall do it in the American way–above board, in the open, through courts of law, by education, by proving myself to be worthy of equal treatment and consideration. I am firm in my belief that American sportsmanship and attitude of fair play will judge citizenship and patriotism on the basis of action and achievement, and not on the basis of physical characteristics. Because I believe in America and I trust she believes in me, and because I have received innumerable benefits from her, I pledge myself to do honor to her at all times and in all places; to support her constitution; to obey her laws; to respect her flag; to defend her against all enemies, foreign or domestic; to actively assume my duties and obligations as a citizen, cheerfully and without any reservations whatsoever, in the hope that I may become a better American in a greater America. |
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| Linda Adams laying flowers at SGT Sato’s grave. Photo provided by the JACL-DC. [Video of the ceremony is available here: https://fb.watch/spU8WBD5Cc/ ] |
JAVA Community Engagements
JAVA at the NYC Japan Day Parade 2024
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| JAVA is being represented in the Annual Japan Day Parade in New York City. Photo provided by Mark Nakagawa. Led by Vietnam War Veteran Tak Furumoto, a small, but mighty JAVA contingent proudly marched in the 3rd Annual Japan Day Parade in New York City. Starting on West 81st Street, the contingent was led by a U.S. Military Academy (West Point) color guard consisting of Cadet Zach Watts (Freshman – “Plebe”), Cadet Jackson Budwell (Junior – “Cow”), and Cadet Matthew Jack (Cow) followed by 1LT Tak Furumoto (Vietnam War Veteran, LCDR Michael Sakimura (USN), JAVA EC member LTC (Ret) Mark Nakagawa, Major Ei Ikenouchi (Japan Self-Defense Force – Foreign Exchange Officer, USMA) and Cadet Misa McKenna (Plebe) following the color guard. The group proudly marched down Central Park West to West 67th Street, the only Veterans Service Organization in the parade, and had an honored position in the parade, being the eleventh group out of over one hundred groups and organizations. |
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| L-R LtCdr Michael Sakimura; MAJ Ei Ikenouchi (Japan Self-Defense Force, Army); Cadet Misa McKenna; Cadet Jackson Budwell; Cadet Matthew Jack; Cadet Zach Watts; 1LT Tak Furumoto; LTC (R) Mark Nakagawa. Photo provided by Mark Nakagawa. |
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| L-R LtCdr Michael Sakimura (USN), 1LT Tak Furumoto (USA – Vietnam War Vet), LTC (R) Mark Nakagawa (USA). Photo provided by Mark Nakagawa. |
JAVA at Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN) Leadership Workshop
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| Photo Provided by Mark Nakagawa On 02 May 2024, JAVA supported AAGEN’s annual Leadership Workshop by providing a color guard consisting of JAVA Secretary MAJ Kay Izumihara (USAR) and JAVA EC Member LTC (Ret) Mark Nakagawa (USA). JAVA’s participation with AAGEN was a first since pre-COVID and a great way to continue building relationships with the Asian American community. |
The Marine officer who saved 8,000 lives at the ‘Frozen Chosin’
An inspiring article about 1LT Kurt Chew-Een Lee, the first Asian-American officer in the Marine Corps, spearheading an operation that saved 8,000 men from death or imprisonment during the Korean War. 1LT Lee, while wounded from an earlier battle, led 8,000 troops through the snow mountains with only a compass, repelling Chinese soldiers during the retreat with his 500 Marines.
Read the full article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/marine-officer-saved-8-000-190601838.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma&guccounter=2
[Ed Note: This article was written by Claire Barrett and published by Yahoo News. JAVA’s honorary chair, General Paul Nakasone, brought this article to our attention. We thank him for the interesting article to share with everyone.]
JAVA General Counsel Member Needed!
| Dawn Eilenberger has diligently served as JAVA’s General Counsel for the past 6 years. With a heavy heart, she has decided to step down from the position next month in July. Although she will still be an active member of JAVA, we will miss her dearly for all the work she has done for JAVA until now. We are currently looking for new General Counsel members. The JAVA General Counsel is a key member of the JAVA leadership team. The applicant must be a JD and be an active member of any state bar. Here are the lists of tasks/responsibilities that would be expected of the General Counsel:Actively participates in quarterly JAVA Executive Committee meetings to ensure compliance with the JAVA by-laws, including Roberts Rules of Order and the requirements for approval of the use of JAVA fundsPeriodically reviews the by-laws and proposes changes necessary to comply with new legal and regulatory requirements to maintain JAVA’s nonprofit and veterans organization tax status The General Counsel works with JAVA officers, the Executive Committee, and the executive officer on matters that may involve legal issues, including contracts and communications to membersWorks with the executive officer to manage the election process for JAVA officers consistent with the by-laws. |
If you have any questions about the position please contact javapotomac@gmail.com.
Upcoming JAVA Events
Monday, July 15th. Day of Affirmation, National World War II Memorial
Monday, November 11th. Veterans Day Program, National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II, Washington DC
