JACL Central Calif. District to Honor WWII Veterans at Day of Remembrance Ceremony

By Pacific Citizen Staff
January 20, 2012

In a tribute to the heroic Japanese American World War II veterans, the Central California District of the JACL will award replica Congressional Gold Medals to the vets at its Day of Remembrance event.

In November of last year, some of the JA veterans made the trip to Washington, D.C. to receive their Gold Medals in person. The local veterans will receive their replicas Feb. 19 at the CC District’s DOR luncheon.

“This year’s Day of Remembrance will pay special tribute to all our Nisei veterans who bravely risked their lives on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific to defend our country,” said Dale Ikeda, event co-chair. “Because many of our local veterans could not travel to the Capitol for the national ceremony, we wanted to take the opportunity here at home to pay tribute to their courage and patriotism.”

Communities across the country will be holding various DOR events, where people will remember the significance of the signing of Executive Order 9066. The bill was signed 70 years ago sending close to 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry to various American concentration camps during World War II. Despite this injustice, many JAs volunteered to fight for the United States on the battlefields of WWII. The 442nd Regiment, which later included the 100th Battalion, became the most highly decorated unit for its size in American military history. The heroics of the MIS helped to shorten the duration of the War.

During the War, Fresno County had two temporary assembly centers where JAs were held before being sent to various concentration camps. At the Pinedale Assembly Center there were 4,832 internees and 5,344 internees were held at the Fresno Assembly Center.

A grant from the Nisei Farmers League will cover the cost of the replica Gold Medals and other expenses for the veterans. The event is being co-sponsored by the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

The DOR planning committee is currently looking for Nisei veterans in the Central Valley. In addition to the 442nd, 100th and MIS veterans, all WWII vets, including those who served in the Counter Intelligence Crops and the Women’s Army Corps, will be receiving the replica medals.

CCDC Day of Remembrance

Date: Feb. 19, reception at noon, lunch and medal ceremony 1 p.m.
Location: Clovis Veterans Memorial Building on Fourth Street
Price: $40 (veteran and a guest, or a spouse of a veteran and a guest are free)
Info: Family members of veterans who have passed away can contact Dale Ikeda for more information at 559/313-9322 or daleikeda@att.net
RSVP: Reservation deadline is Feb. 12. Call Bobbi Hanada at 559/434-1662