Vol. 7, No. 85, May 6, 2025
In This Issue…
- President’s Message
- Special e-Advocate May 16th Promotional Video
- Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in The Military Intelligence Service During World War II
- 77th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
- Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII
- FEDVIP Dental and Vision Coverage for Retiring Military
- Save the Date – Seeking a Military Escort for the 6th Annual Day of Affirmation Ceremony
- JAVA Scholarships Are Now Closed
- Happy 102nd Birthday to USAF Veteran Captain Kiyo Sato!
- Upcoming JAVA Events
Presidents Message
Washington, D.C.
Exciting developments are on the horizon for JAVA, and we are proud to share two important updates with you:
1. Special “Victory in Europe” Edition of the e-Advocate
Later this month, we will release a special edition of the e-Advocate to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. This edition will reflect on the end of WWII in Europe, spotlighting key events, stories, and legacies tied to this historic milestone.
A highlight of the issue will be JAVA’s participation in the dedication of a new monument in Germany honoring the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. Detached from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 522nd was involved in a very unexpected activity in Germany. Their actions—still unfamiliar to many—were profound and eternal. We hope you will find their story both powerful and enlightening.
2. Save the Date: Day of Affirmation – July 15, 2025
On July 15, JAVA will host its annual Day of Affirmation in Washington, D.C., honoring the legacy of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team.
We are deeply honored to announce that Colonel (Ret.) Paris Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient, will join us in paying tribute to these brave men. The day will begin with a commemorative ceremony at the National WWII Memorial and conclude with a luncheon at the historic Army Navy Club, where Colonel Davis will deliver the keynote address. Mark your calendars—this will be a memorable and inspiring event.
JAVA continues to develop new programs and initiatives to honor our veterans and educate future generations. Stay connected—we’re just getting started.
HOWARD S. HIGH
President
Japanese American Veterans Association
Special e-Advocate May 16th Promotional Video
Washington, D.C.
May 8, 2025, marks the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day.
To recognize this anniversary, JAVA is publishing a special edition of the e-Advocate, which will be released on May 16, 2025. Watch Captain (retired) Wade Ishimoto below as he promotes the upcoming Advocate not to be missed!
This special edition will highlight the service and the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
The special edition intends to go beyond repeating historical facts, important as they may be. Instead, we want to highlight personal stories from our members and friends that link the legacy of the two units to what Americans should remember today. What lessons did we learn, and are there lessons that should be reinforced for today’s citizens?
Short articles of any length are welcome and should be submitted by COB May 8 to [email protected] or [email protected].
Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in The Military Intelligence Service During World War II
Written by: Dr. James C. McNaughton, U.S. Center for Military History (CMH)
At the start of World War II the U.S. Army turned to Americans of Japanese ancestry, the Nisei, to provide vital intelligence against Japanese forces in the Pacific. This new book, Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II, tells the story of these soldiers, how the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) recruited and trained them, and how they served in every battle and campaign in the war against Japan. During the war their work remained a closely guarded secret. Even after the war, their contributions were often overlooked. This book fills this gap in our historical understanding.
77th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
Arlington, VA
Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII
San Francisco, CA.
FEDVIP Dental and Vision Coverage for Retiring Military
On Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m. (ET), join BENEFEDS for an informational webinar about the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Retiring uniformed service members are considered newly eligible for FEDVIP
FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all dental and vision insurance program. In general, retired uniformed service members, their families, and survivors are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, FEDVIP vision coverage. With 12 dental and 5 vision carriers, FEDVIP offers several great options for you and your family.
Join us as we review:FEDVIP eligibility and enrollment an overview of FEDVIP dental and vision coverageFEDVIP plans and optionsBENEFEDS.gov, the enrollment marketplace for eligible participantshow to use our online decision support toolsDon’t miss this opportunity!
Enrollment is not automatic. To prevent a gap in dental coverage between your active or reserve duty dental plan and your FEDVIP plan, you must enroll in FEDVIP before your military retirement date. If you don’t enroll within 60 days from your retirement date, you will need to wait until the next Federal Benefits Open Season to do so. Open season runs from the Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full work week in December.
Save the Date: Seeking a Military Escort for the 6th Annual Day of Affirmation Ceremony
Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 9 am, JAVA will hold its sixth annual Day of Affirmation Ceremony at the World War Two Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Day of Affirmation commemorates the anniversary of President Harry S. Truman’s review of the returning 442nd Regimental Combat Team on the White House Ellipse on July 15, 1946. This event is called the “Day of Affirmation” by JAVA because President Truman’s salute to the Japanese American soldiers that “You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice – and you have won…” affirms that all the Japanese American soldiers, men and women, who served during World War II are America’s heroes and removes any doubt that they are loyal citizens of the United States of America. Traditionally, one military escort (in uniform) and two wreath bearers have been integral to the ceremony. We are looking for a serving or retired military member to serve as the escort for this year’s ceremony.
UPDATE: Our guest speaker has been confirmed. Medal of Honor (MoH) recipient, Colonel Paris D. Davis, U.S. Army, Retired, was awarded the MoH in 2023 for his heroism as a commander in the Vietnam War. Please mark your calendars now for an event not to be missed! Following the ceremony is the luncheon held at the Army and Navy Club from 11:00 to 13:00.
If you are interested in the volunteer opportunity, please reach out by 1 JUL 2025 to Howard High at [email protected].
JAVA Scholarships Are Now Closed!
Washington, D.C.
The application period for JAVA’s 2025 Memorial Scholarships is now closed!
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the applicants who submitted their materials for the Japanese American Veterans Association Memorial Scholarship this year. The application period has officially closed, and our scholarship committee is now carefully reviewing all submissions.
We are excited to announce that scholarship winners will be notified in early June 2025. The virtual award ceremony will take place on June 28th, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT). We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our winners and their hard work.
Thank you again to all who applied, and best of luck to everyone!
If you have any questions about the 2025 scholarships, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Happy 102nd Birthday, Ms. Kiyo Sato!
Washington, D.C.
On May 8, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Ms. Kiyo Sato, will turn 102 years young. Born in 1923 in Sacramento, CA, Kiyo is the oldest of 8 siblings whose Japanese immigrant parents ran a successful orchard and farming business. After graduating from Sacramento High School, Kiyo attended Sacramento Junior College with dreams of becoming a journalist. Her education and dreams were cut short after Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, and the U.S. declared war on Japan.
After President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, the Sato family was interned at the Pinedale Assembly Center, Heart Mountain Internment Center in Wyoming, and Poston Internment Center in Arizona. She completed her degree in biology in Michigan, then earned a Master’s degree in Nursing from Case Western University in Ohio.
Ms. Kiyo then followed her brother’s patriotic service and joined the U.S. Air Force, served in the Korean War, with postings in the Philippines and Japan, after which she discharged as a Captain.
As a public health nurse, she developed the Blackbird Vision System to help with vision and hearing screenings at schools. Ms. Kiyo was also a mother to four children she adopted and raised on her own. She remained active in her local VFW post and shared her experiences of internment to mostly school-aged children as a reminder to never forget.
In 2007, Kiyo published her first book, Kiyo’s Story, and her service as a nurse in the Korean War was featured in a teen book titled Women in the Military: From Drill Sergeants to Fighter Pilots. Her book, Kiyo’s Story, won a 2008 William Saroyan International Prize for writing. As an author and speaker, Ms. Kiyo was awarded the 2017 Woman of the Year award from the California State Assembly for her extraordinary achievements, determination, and courage.
JAVA wishes Ms. Sato a wonderful birthday!
Upcoming JAVA Events
Sunday, May 25th. 77th Annual Memorial Day Event. Arlington National Cemetery and Facebook Live.
Saturday, June 28, 3:00 PM ET. 17th Annual JAVA Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Facebook Live.
Tuesday, July 15, 9:00 AM ET. 6th Annual Day of Affirmation Ceremony, WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C. Luncheon to follow at The Army and Navy Club, 901 Seventeenth St, NW, Washington, D.C., 20006.