An interior view of the restored Nisei War Memorial Community Center (Photos: Courtesy of the Sacramento JACL)
Sacramento JACL completes
the Nisei War Memorial Community Center restoration.
By Sacramento JACL
In November 2024, the Sacramento JACL chapter made a commitment: to take on a Capitol Project to restore the Nisei War Memorial Community Center at 1515 4th Street in Sacramento.
For the Japanese American community there, the building represents far more than bricks and mortar. It is a place rooted in the history, resilience and determination of Japanese Americans who returned home after World War II and faced continued prejudice and discrimination.
A Legacy Born From Adversity
When Japanese American WWII veterans returned home, many were not welcomed into local Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts because of lingering racism and prejudice. Determined to establish a place where they could gather and support one another, these veterans formed their own organization, VFW Post 8985.
Initially, the veterans held their meetings at the Sacramento Buddhist Church. Eventually, they set their sights on purchasing a hall of their own. When the veterans did not have sufficient funds to purchase a building, the Sacramento JACL stepped forward and purchased the property with them.
The building soon became an important gathering place for VFW Post 8985, Boy Scout Troop 250, the Ladies Auxiliary and numerous other community organizations. For generations, it served as a home for meetings, celebrations, activities and community connections.
A Building in Need of Help
In October 2024, Sacramento JACL learned that the building’s roof had been leaking for more than 20 years. The roof was only one of the many problems facing the aging facility. It became clear that significant work was needed to preserve this important piece of Sacramento’s Japanese American history.
Sacramento JACL accepted the challenge.
Fundraising began in March 2025, with the sale of plaques for a Memorial Plaque Wall serving as the first major fundraising effort. The community responded enthusiastically, and orders came in quickly. By June 2025, Sacramento JACL had raised enough money to begin repairs to the roof.
California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi stands in front of the Memorial Wall.
Once the roof was addressed, attention turned to the floors, ceilings, lighting and HVAC system. As the scope of the project became clearer and fundraising began to slow, Sacramento JACL began exploring grants and other sources of financial assistance.
Sacramento JACL VP Debbie Eto reached out to then Pacific Northwest District Gov. Sheldon Arakaki, now the newly elected president of JACL. He suggested applying for a grant from the Japanese American Community Foundation. While noting that the maximum award was $50,000 — and joking that no one ever received the full amount — he encouraged Sacramento JACL to apply anyway.
The chapter did.
In November 2025, Sacramento JACL received the news it had hoped for: The organization had been awarded the entire $50,000 grant.
A Community Comes Together
The grant provided critical support for the restoration. The funds helped Sacramento JACL repair and restore two bathrooms, replace four broken fire doors and have new window coverings made for the facility.
The restoration became a true community effort. Sacramento City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum, whose district includes the building, recognized the importance of preserving the historic facility and assisted with valuable contacts and support. Bill Burg of Preservation Sacramento also provided assistance and guidance.
Together, community members, organizations, supporters and volunteers demonstrated what can happen when people come together to protect an important part of their shared history.
A New Chapter
On Aug. 23, Sacramento JACL hosted an “In Gratitude” special event at the Nisei War Memorial Community Center to honor the many individuals whose time, dedication, kindness and commitment continue to make a meaningful difference in the Japanese American and greater Sacramento communities.
Sacramento JACL honored individuals making a meaningful difference in the Japanese American and greater Sacramento communities at the Nisei War Memorial Community Center on Aug. 23.
Recognized at the event by Sacramento JACL were Thaya Craig, Geno Endo, Allyn Green, Esther Hokama, Peter Kassel, Tiffany Kelly, Paul Kitagaki Jr., Charles Kobayashi, Kent Nakashima, Joyce Ng, Susan Nonaka, Russell Okubo, Lester Ouchida, Priscilla Ouchida, Dave Sakauye, Kaori Sakauye, Glenn Sapaden, Eddy Shimizu, Genevieve Shiroma, Keiji Takagi, Christine Umeda and Hach Yasumura.
For many attendees, it was the first opportunity to see the building after the extensive repairs and improvements.
The reaction was overwhelming.
Comments ranged from “breathtaking” and “beautiful” to “I can’t believe it’s the same building.”
Those words reflected not only the physical transformation of the building, but also the pride of a community that had come together to preserve a place with such deep historical significance.
The Nisei War Memorial Community Center stands as a testament to the perseverance of the Japanese American veterans who created VFW Post 8985, the vision of the Sacramento JACL and the generosity of a community committed to preserving its history for future generations.
Sacramento JACL extends its deepest gratitude to the Japanese American Community Foundation for its extraordinary generosity and support. The $50,000 grant made an important difference in bringing this historic building back to life.
The restoration is more than a renovation. It is a commitment to remember the past, honor those who came before us and ensure that the Nisei War Memorial Community Center continues to serve the Sacramento community for generations to come.