“Here is your country. Cherish
these natural wonders, cherish the
natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children.
Do not let selfish men or greedy interests
skin your country of its beauty,
its riches or its romance.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Japanese-American veterans
of World War II, including 60 honorees from our Hawaii received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011, awarded collectively
to the 100th Infantry Battalion,the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service.
They served this country with much-noted heroism despite the fact that some had parents and siblings confined to internment camps at a time when Japanese Americans faced distrust unmatched by anything directed towards German Americans.
Jack Nakamura, 88, who was wounded twice
told a Honolulu reporter:
"That's one reason why I joined, volunteered, too.They were calling me 'Jap' and stuff like that. My mother said, 'No, don't join up.'
But I joined up anyway."
And:
And:
"After all that we went through and all that,
and to be recognized for what we did
and all that, I'm grateful to the government
for awarding us this medal."
said Takashi Shirakata,
a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran.
Many of our aging heroes aren't able to attend the Washington events, so a celebration parade was held
for them here in Waikiki
in December 2011:
Thank You
to the men and women
who care enough
to stand on the wall.
Love You,
cloudia
