Vol. 157, No. 10, November 15, 2013. 12 pages. View this issue
Honors for Nisei veterans ran through the 12 pages of this November 2013 issue. Nalea J. Ko reported that eleven Japanese American World War II veterans, including Don Seki, received France’s Legion of Honor at a Nov. 9 ceremony in Little Tokyo, hosted by the Go For Broke National Education Center. Gil Asakawa wrote about Veterans Day and the commemorative stamp for Medal of Honor recipient George ‘Joe’ Sakato. John Tateishi’s column, Manzanar Sojourn, told of a research trip to learn about his father’s imprisonment.
Other pages announced the 2014 JACL scholarship program and the start of JACL’s Annual Giving Fund Drive. Fresno County Judge Dale Ikeda commented on the theft of the Pinedale Assembly Center memorial plaque. A reader’s letter urged JACL to focus on civil rights. Hawaii’s new law on gay marriage and a profile of entrepreneur James Sun round out the issue.
What’s in this issue
National
- National JACL Kicks Off 2014 Scholarship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National JACL announced its 2014 Scholarship and Awards Program, offering approximately 30 college scholarships for freshmen, undergraduates, graduates, and law/creative arts students, plus a U.S.-Japan scholarship with Meiji Gakuin University. Applications must go through local chapters with specific deadlines in March and April 2014.
- Gov. Abercrombie Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage in Hawaii, by Associated Press, page 9. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill legalizing gay marriage, making Hawaii the 15th state (along with D.C.) to allow same-sex unions starting Dec. 2. The law is expected to boost tourism, with an estimated $217 million economic benefit over three years as couples travel to marry in the islands.
Commentary
- Letter to the Editor: JACL Should Focus More on Civil Rights Advocacy, by Harry Budisidharja, page 2. A reader compliments John Tateishi’s article and praises local chapters’ advocacy programs while criticizing others for focusing too much on social activities. He argues JACL is a civil rights organization that should be more active on issues like immigration, voting rights, and health care.
- Japanese Americans Have a Lot to Be Thankful for on Veterans Day, by Gil Asakawa, page 3. Asakawa recounts an incident of racism while distributing Veterans Day poppies and reflects on Nisei WWII veteran George ‘Joe’ Sakato, who was honored with a commemorative U.S. Postal Service stamp for his Medal of Honor heroism. He also honors his own father’s service in the Korean War.
- Manzanar Sojourn, by John Tateishi, page 3. Tateishi recounts his research trip to Manzanar to learn about his father’s imprisonment history, uncovering details about the Manzanar riot, his father’s time at isolation centers in Moab and Leupp, and the reasons for his lifelong silence. He credits Park Ranger Rose Masters’ research for finally revealing this hidden family history.
In-Depth
- Nisei Veterans Awarded France’s Legion of Honor, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. Eleven Japanese American WWII veterans, including Don Seki who lost his arm in combat, were awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor at a Nov. 9 ceremony in Little Tokyo. The event, hosted by the Go For Broke National Education Center, honored soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their WWII service in France.
- Entrepreneur James Sun Tackles Mobile Space, by Connie K. Ho, page 6. Korean American entrepreneur James Sun, a former ‘The Apprentice’ finalist, discusses his mobile social network Anomo, which uses avatars to let users interact before revealing personal details. Sun explains the app’s growth among 16- to 20-year-olds, its algorithm-based matching system, and his experiences working across Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles tech scenes.
Community
- Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Plaque Stolen, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A brass plaque honoring more than 4,800 Japanese Americans confined at the Pinedale Assembly Center was stolen, apparently by metal thieves, just before Veterans Day. Fresno County Judge Dale Ikeda, who chaired the memorial project, believes it was part of a series of metal thefts rather than a hate crime, and officials hope for its return.
- Tritia Toyota, Velina Houston to Speak at WLA JACL Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Broadcast journalist Tritia Toyota and playwright Velina Hasu Houston will be featured speakers at the West Los Angeles JACL’s holiday dinner on Dec. 9 at Napa Valley Grille in Westwood. Toyota is a former TV news anchor and AAJA co-founder, while Houston is known for her play ‘Tea’ about Japanese war brides.
JACL
- JACL’s Annual Giving Fund Drive Begins, by P.C. Staff, page 5. JACL National President David Lin announced the start of the organization’s Annual Giving Fund Drive to help sustain JACL’s civil rights programs amid economic challenges. JACL also announced a new partnership with United Way of the Bay Area to become a Certified Agency for workplace donations.
Obituaries
- Yoshiro ‘Babe’ Fujioka, page 11. Yoshiro ‘Babe’ Fujioka, 85, of Los Angeles, passed away Oct. 23, survived by his wife Shizuko Fujioka and children Robert, Margaret, Janice, and Thomas. He is also survived by his sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
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