2021 Veterans Day Ceremony

JAVA Vice President Howard High served as emcee at the 2021 Veterans Day Ceremony. Photo: Nicole Yamada.

Gerald Yamada, JAVA President, Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11, 2021. National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in WWII, Washington, DC. Photo: John Tobe.

The day’s keynote speaker, Colonel Danielle Ngo, Chief of Staff of the Army Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies then took to the podium. COL Ngo highlighted the shared values among Asian cultures of “[f]amily, honor, knowledge, respect, and a strong work and study ethic,” and how those values not only create community among Asian military members but also help them become leaders.

Ngo went on to consider the sacrifice of Japanese American service members. In highlighting, Specialist Paul T. Nakamura, the first Japanese American to be killed during the Iraq War, she remarked, “What stood out to me was that his parents had reservations about him joining, much like my mother did for me, but he told them, ‘Mom, Dad, I’m so proud I was born in the United States.’ That says it all. Selfless service and sacrifice. That is what we honor today.” Next Ngo, considered the service of Vietnam War hero, Superior Court Judge Vincent Okamoto. For Ngo the admiration is personal, “I was born in Vietnam, and I owe my existence here to those like him who fought in one of our toughest wars. In Vietnam, he was wounded three times and received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars for Valor, and the Vietnam Cross for Gallantry. He is my hero.” In concluding her talk, Ngo addressed the next generation, urging them to “answer the call to duty and pick up where our ancestors left off.”

Colonel Danielle Ngo, Chief of Staff of the Army Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11, 2021. National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in WWII, Washington, DC. Photo: John Tobe.

JAVA Executive Council Member LTC Mark Nakagawa, USA (Ret), and COL Danielle Ngo, USA, present the wreath in front of the list of Japanese Americans KIA during WWII. Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11, 2021. National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in WWII, Washington, DC. Photo: Nicole Yamada.

Veterans Day Program Remarks (as prepared) November 11, 2021

Colonel Danielle Ngo, U.S. Army

Chief of Staff of the Army Senior Fellow

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Good afternoon and Happy Veteran’s Day!

I want to give special thanks to the Japanese American Veterans Association for inviting me. When I told my family that I was invited and privileged to attend, my sister said, “Do they know you’re not Japanese?” I laughed and said I hope so because I had the fortune to have worked with them in the recent past and wouldn’t think they would forget so soon. My mother said, “They will think we’re all the same anyway.” I told her that I think people are much more sophisticated today to be able to discern differences in cultures, but if not, it wouldn’t bother me because many Asian cultures have commonalities that we can all be proud of. In the military, we gravitate towards each other because there are so few of us and support each other through a different type of community.

I am standing at the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism during WWII. It commemorates a dark time in our country of war hysteria and unimaginable prejudice against Japanese Americans, but also commemorates those Japanese Americans who rose above it for love of country and duty, and fought for America during WWII.  It is one of several memorials across the country that honors over 1200 Japanese Americans who died in service during America’s wars. A reminder of those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Today we celebrate a day which originally began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I.  Since 1954, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

On this Veteran’s Day, I want to talk about Japanese American service, past, present, and future. Although I am not of Japanese descent, I have been honored to serve with some of our nation’s Japanese American sons and daughters. I have traveled to Japan in my military capacity and have seen the rich customs and traditions in that beautiful country. There are many cultural values that are the same, that we hold true and dear. Family, honor, knowledge, respect, and a strong work and study ethic. These are the values that I see when I meet Japanese Americans in the service today.

I know that this is a day that we honor our veterans and Memorial Day is a day that we honor our fallen heroes. But for me, you cannot talk about veterans without talking about our fallen veterans too. When I looked at Japanese American military history and saw the names and numbers that served and died during the Spanish American War, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Grenada, Iraq, and Afghanistan, it doesn’t feel like a small community at all. The weight of sacrifice is enormous. The weight of contribution is overwhelming. Their families will forever cherish the memories and feel pride for their defense of America, no matter how many generations have lived here.

In Asian culture, we respect our past and our ancestors. Our ancestors hold a special place of honor in my family, where usually we have a photo with incense and a special offering of tea, flowers, and fruit in remembrance and gratitude. That’s how we honor the past. Today I want to honor the past of a special service member. Specialist Paul T. Nakamura. He was an Army Reserve combat medic and the first Japanese American to be killed during the Iraq War. A war that I served in but was lucky enough to come home from. SPC Nakamura was not. He died on a highway 20 miles south of Baghdad transporting an injured Soldier when his military ambulance was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was an All-American boy, a Boy Scout, a Junior Olympian, a lifeguard, and more. He was described as compassionate, thoughtful, gregarious, and courageous. He was a brother and a son. What stood out to me was that his parents had reservations about him joining, much like my mother did for me, but he told them, “Mom, Dad, I’m so proud I was born in the United States.” That says it all. Selfless service and sacrifice. That is what we honor today.

That was the past but never forgotten. I want to move now to the present where recently we lost a Vietnam War hero, Superior Court Judge Vincent Okamoto. I know JAVA honored him already because he was a JAVA member who recently died. I wanted to mention him because he served in Vietnam. I was born in Vietnam, and I owe my existence here to those like him who fought in one of our toughest wars. In Vietnam he was wounded three times and received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars for Valor, and the Vietnam Cross for Gallantry. He is my hero. Every time I meet a Vietnam War Vet, I ask first their wife (to get permission), and then them, if I can give them a hug to thank them and tell them that their sacrifice was not for nothing. They brought families like me to America so we can continue to pay it forward.

During a speech to the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team, he told the next generation to, quote, “remember and honor those who fought, bled, and died for you. Remember that the blessings and unlimited opportunities we Japanese Americans enjoy today are ours in large measure because we stand on the shoulders of giants; men small in stature, but titans in courage.” Words from a great man and hero.

With those words to the next generation, I will move to the final part of my speech for the future. To those who will hopefully answer the call to duty and pick up where our ancestors left off. Today, there is some anxiety about serving in the military. I hear, and at times feel myself, that this is a different Army. I hear questions like, Is it getting too political? Where is this country going? What about diversity, equity, and inclusion? All good questions but fundamentally, why do we serve? It should be about something greater than ourselves. It becomes what you make of it. It’s the friendships, camaraderie, and experience that you build. It’s the pride of serving and honor that you hold dear.

I hear the debate about the Afghanistan withdrawal and people ask me if it was worth it, because I served there too. A lot of veterans are struggling with that question. What I say to them is, “Feel proud that you answered your nation’s call to duty. Only less than 1% of our nation joins the military, either active or reserves, and veterans make up less than 10% of the adult population. To the Veterans of Afghanistan, you made a difference to your nation by making it a more secure homeland during that time. Be proud of that because I am proud of you.”

To all veteran, thank you for your service, and thank you for those who support our veterans. God bless you and God bless America.

Veterans Day Program Remarks (as prepared) November 11, 2021 Gerald Yamada, JAVA President

On behalf of the Japanese American Veterans Association, welcome to our annual Veterans Day Program. 

Today marks the Nation’s 68th Veterans Day Observance. We honor all who have served in the U.S. Uniformed Services. 

I am proud to announce that this year’s JAVA Veterans Day Program has again been selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Day National Committee as a Veterans Day observance that “represents a fitting tribute to America’s heroes.” Our program is one of 36 that was selected.

JAVA has sponsored this annual event every year since November 2000, which is the year this Memorial opened to the public. 

Today and every day, we must remember the huge debt of gratitude that we owe to all who have served. For our community, we must never stop honoring the Nisei soldiers who served during World War II. They served mainly in the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe and in the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific. 

They answered the call to serve in spite of the prejudice, war hysteria, and distrust that confronted them. They kept their faith in America. With their personal courage, they proved their loyalty on the battlefields. 

We want to especially honor the 800 Nisei soldiers whose names are inscribed on the granite panels of this Memorial behind me. They died defending America’s freedoms during World War II. 

With their valor, the Nisei soldiers created a legacy, from which we have benefited and will continue to benefit. We have a duty to remember and preserve that legacy. Their service made a difference and will continue to do so for our community and for all Americans. The Nisei soldiers truly are America’s heroes.

On this Veterans Day 2021, we thank all veterans, and all who are serving, for their service in defending our freedoms and in keeping us safe.

Thank you.

Hometown Hero: EC member CAPT (DR) Cynthia Macri, MC, USN (Ret)

CAPT (DR) Cynthia Izuno Macri, MC, USN, (Ret) interviewed on November 11, 2021 by U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, (MD-08). Photo: Screenshot.

Happy Birthday, Secretary Mineta!

Washington, DC. JAVA national members convey their warmest 90th birthday greetings to Secretary Norman Mineta, JAVA Honorary Chair since its inception in 1992. Mineta’s contributions to the success of America’s multiracial development has no equal. 

He is loved by all for his aspirations, integrity, vision, and accomplishments.  

Born on November 12, 1931, Mineta’s life started like many ethnic Japanese Americans on the Pacific coast: bilingual upbringing with Dad owning a business; four years involuntary confinement at Heart Mountain, WY for the duration of WW II; returned to their home and Dad’s business in San Jose, CA; graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, a business major; mandatory military service in which Mineta served in the Military Intelligence Service with assignments to Japan and Korea; after his discharge in 1956, Mineta began his career job in his family’s insurance business, The Mineta Insurance Agency of San Jose.

Eleven years later, 1967, Mineta accepted the Mayor’s offer to fill a vacant seat on the San Jose City Council. Mineta enjoyed the political life interacting with voters, business leaders who were expanding Silicon Valley industries, modernizing the transportation system, including high speed expressways. Mineta found a fit in politics and politics in Mineta. Four years later, in 1971, the voters of San Jose elected him as their Mayor, the first Nisei to hold a major elected position on the mainland. Three years later, Mineta was elected to the US Congress defeating the eleven-term incumbent from the opposition party. He sponsored or co-sponsored a number of landmark bills, including infrastructure improvements. He organized the formation of the now 80-member Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) which has given congressional members of Asian Pacific ethnicities a more forceful voice in the “people’s house.” Supported by legislative colleagues Bob Matsui and Barney Frank, and U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga, Mineta’s legislative achievements culminated in the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which resulted in a national apology for the internment and the payment of reparations to living internees.

Mineta resigned from the US Congress in 1995 after 20 years of continued service. Lockheed Martin Corporation engaged him as a vice president. 

In 1997, Mineta was appointed Chairman of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission. It issued a report on how to reduce air traffic congestion and to minimize the risk of aircraft accidents. He was appointed to the boards of other corporations.  

Mineta is the first Asian American to serve in a US president’s cabinet. In June 2000, President Bill Clinton appointed Mineta as his Secretary of Commerce. Subsequently, in 2001, Republican President George W. Bush appointed Democrat Mineta to serve as Secretary of Transportation. When foreign terrorists attacked the US on September 11, 2001, Mineta was summoned to the White House bunker from where he ordered 4,546 planes be grounded. When the groundswell began to build to retaliate against Arab Americans, Mineta reminded political leaders about the Nisei World War II experience.

On July 10, 2006, Hill and Knowlton announced Mineta would join them. To enhance the effectiveness and ensure the permanence of Japanese American organizations, Mineta also served pro bono on the governing boards of selected Japanese American organizations. From 1996 to 2015, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and since 2015 as its Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served as Vice Chair of the Board of Councilors of the US-Japan Council to build strong friendships between the government and people of Japan and the Japanese diaspora population in America. He also served as honorary chair of JAVA since its inception in 1992.

At the US-Japan Council 2018 Annual Conference, Mineta was asked what he would like to advise young men and women who wish to advance their leadership skills. Mineta said young folks have their names and integrity. These assets, plus successful networking, are the key ingredients for success, Mineta said.

Mineta received a number of major awards from governments, professional groups, public and private organizations for advancing their causes. Some of these awards include:

• In 1995, Mineta received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Medal from George Washington University for contributions in the civil rights movement.
• In 2003, Mineta was awarded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy’s Jefferson-Lincoln Award for his bipartisan leadership.
• In December 2006, Mineta received from President Barack Obama the Medal of Freedom, the highest medal awarded by the White House.
• In 2007, the Government of Japan conferred upon Mineta the Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising Sun.  
• In November 2001, The City of San Jose named its airport The Norman Y. Mineta International Airport in San Jose.

On January 27, 2018, Mineta received JAVA’s Courage, Honor, Patriotism Award at his residence from then JAVA President Al Goshi and Executive Committee member Rod Azama.

We wish to close this tribute to Secretary Mineta with President Clinton’s remarks cited by Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi at the close of their film entitled Norman Mineta and his Legacy: An American Story. Clinton said “Norm Mineta spent his life both proving by his own achievements that America was working for more and more people but also by trying to give that chance to everybody else. That’s a worthy life. It should be honored, but more importantly, it should be emulated.” 

MOH Spotlight: Private First Class Joe M. Nishimoto

United States Army Private First Class Joe M. Nishimoto was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. Nishimoto volunteered for the 442nd from the Internment Camp in Jerome, Arkansas. Photo Credit: U.S. DoD Public Affairs, “Army Secretary Lionizes 22 World War II Heroes.”

JAVA 2022 Election Timeline

In accordance with JAVA’s By-laws, the Nominations Committee will be holding an election for each of the four elected Offices: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. EC officer candidates and voting instructions will be emailed on January 2, 2022. 

Election Timeline:

• Slate of Candidates will be presented to the membership on January 2, 2022.
• Email voting will take place from January 2 to 28, 2022.
• Proxy email voting will take place from January 2 to 26, 2022.
• Election results will be announced at the General Membership Meeting on February 5, 2020.

TAPS

CDR Michael Omatsu, USCG (Ret.),

JAVA Treasurer

CDR Michael Omatsu, USCG (Ret.) December 13, 1951 – November 4, 2021

Note: The January 2022 e-Advocate will be published on January 15. Happy Holidays!