Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (center) presented the Sacramento JACL with a certificate of merit during the Nisei Veterans Hall Memorial dedication. Pictured (from left) are Eric Guerra, Mayu Hagiwara and Sacramento JACL President Roger Fujii (Photo: Courtesy of Sacramento JACL)_
By Sacramento JACL
The Nisei War Memorial Community Center in Sacramento reopened and held a Memorial Wall Dedication on Sept. 13 that was attended by more than 100 community members.
Kicking off the event was a performance by Davis Bukuhatsu Taiko Dan, comprised of students from the University of California, Davis, followed by the presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 250, led by Randy Imai. ACC Showstoppers provided the singing of the national anthem.
The event featured several speakers, including welcoming remarks from Sacramento JACL VP Debbie Eto, Sacramento JACL President Roger Fujii and past JACL National President Floyd Shimomura, who reflected upon his experiences with JACL and the Nisei Hall.
Charles Kobayashi, a past JACL Sacramento president, then spoke of the work that went into raising the funds to complete Phase One and then proceeded to honor the chapter’s officers Fujii, Eto, Kathy Delmendo and Randy Fong and board members Esther Hokama, Janice Luczszak, Michael Luczszak and Joyce Ng for their efforts.
Also on hand at the ceremony to speak was Mayu Hagiwara, consul and director of the Japan Information and Cultural Center in San Francisco, and Sacramento Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Guerra, who talked about his relationship and respect for the farmers who, during World War II, lost their land and had to rebuild as a result of the forced incarceration. He praised the spirit and indominable determination of the Japanese American community.
Finally, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) spoke about his memories of being first elected to office and moving to Sacramento. The first place he stayed at was the Governor’s Square apartments, which is located across the street from the Nisei War Memorial Community Center, and he used to walk by the Nisei War Memorial every day on his way to the Capitol building. He praised the Sacramento JACL for taking on this project and honored its members with a special certificate of merit.
The Sacramento JACL brought the historic hall back as a place to hold community gatherings and special events.
