- I'

100TH INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS CLUB

MONTHLY NEWS

E * * * *

FROM THE EDITORS' PUKA by Ray and Aid Nosaka

History will be made on June 5, 1999, when the unveiling of the "Go For Broke" Monument is scheduled to take place in downtown Los Angeles. We urge all AJA veterans to make a special effort to attend this event.

This is the culmination of 10 long years of planning, fighting bureaucracy, overcoming many obstacles, and more changes, obstacles, etc. What a wonderful legacy to pass on to our children and their children. The name of every AJA who served in World War II will be inscribed on this unique marble monument. It is our fervent hope and prayer that this struCture will serve as a perpetual reminder to all people of what the AJA veterans did for this country that we love.

The following text by Ben Tamashiro will be inscribed on the face of the monument: AN AMERlCAN STORY Rising to the defense of their country, by the thousands they came--.-these young Japanese American soldiers to fight in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. Looked upon with suspicion, set apart and deprived of their constitutional rights, they nevertheless remained steadfast and served with indomitable spirit and uncommon valor, for theirs was a fight to prove loyalty.

Around the same time in June, 1999, there will be another unveiling of a monument for the 100th Infantry Battalion in Fort Benning, Georgia. Col. Bill Pye, a much-respected man amongst the 100th, is spearheading this monument. Col. Pye served with the 100th in continuous combat, for 14 months before he was wounded in France.

• We encourage all who are able to attend one or both of these occasions honoring the AJA veterans.

Mahalo to the following PPP volunteers who turned out for collating on February 26, 1999: Otomatsu Aoki, Alfred Arakaki, Robert Arakaki, Kunio Fujimoto, Ralph Fukunaga, Saburo Hasegawa, Ed Ikuma, Isamu Inouye, Shigeru Inouye, Warren Iwai, Masaru Kadomoto, Arthur Komiyama, Al Matsumoto, Don and Kimi Matsuda, Y. Mugitani, Joe Muramatsu, Tom Nakamura, Ken Nakagawa, Roy Nakayama, Tom Nishioka, Aki Nosaka, Tom Nosse, Takeichi Onishi, Leo Sato, Kazuto Shimizu, Hiromi Suehiro, Ken Suehiro, Yuriko Takahashi, Masa Toma, Riki and Evelyn Tsuda, and Marie Yoneshige. Cecilee Tanaka was the substitute proofreader while Mary Hamasaki was away. Special thanks to Al Matsumoto and Tom Nakamura for setting up the tables each month. We realize what a "back breaking" job this is and we reaIIy appreciate their doing this for us. Thank you very much!!!

MARCH BOARD MEETING HILITES by President Joe Muramatsu

The ,March 1999 Board of Directors meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. It was decided that the swearing in of officers be delayed further because of the absence of our Second vice President and of our Treasurer.

To expedite matters, it was decided that the February minutes, Executive Secretary's Report and the Secretary-Treasurer's Report be approved in one motion.

Dr. Kenneth Otagaki was in attendance in the place of HQ President Ken Saruwatari who was gallivanting on the mainland with the UH Baseball team.

Don Matsuda reported that there is still one apartment that is vacant. He has been busy doing some "minor" repairs, such as re-tiling the bathroom floor and patching the floor throughout the apartment.

The Annual Clubhouse Clean Up is set for May 29, 1999. Please come and help clean up the Clubhouse. Chapter Assignments will be do~e at the House Committee meeting on March 29. There was a suggestion to replace the trough urinal in the men's room with individual urinals. The House Committee will also look at installing grab-bars in one of the toilets.

Registration for the 1999 57th Anniversary banquet was only 108 persons as of March 12. The Committee will meet after the April 15 registration deadline and enlist the help of the sons and daughters. If you haven't signed up, please do so asap or else you will be on the outside looking in.

Tom Nishioka, Bernard Akamine, and Ed Ikuma have agreed to chair this event. There will be an initial planning meeting on March 20, 1999.

As to the DSC upgrades to Medal of Honor-nothing is finalized. No dates nor numbers of honorees is known. However, there will be a meeting on March 17, 1999, to plan for a gala celebration if and when the upgrades are announced.

The Club 100 committee for the Spark M. Matsunaga V A Center commemorative plaque or display will be meeting on March 19, 1999, to review possible items for a display. The Center should be completed some time this year.

The Club 100 tour to Los Angeles for the unveiling and dedication of the monument is going along at a snail's pace. No one seems to be too interested, or they are not letting us know their plans.

The club will request a June 14, 1999, date for the unveiling and dedication ceremony for the monument at Fort Berining.

The Year 2000 Club 100 Reunion in Las Vegas will be kick-started when we go to Los Angeles for the memorial unveiling.

Charlie Chapter's feasibiHty study of the use of the clubhouse as an adult day-care center was accepted. The next question is, "How many members or their spouses would be interested in something like this?" See Warren Iwai's Charlie Chapter News.

We received a letter from Manabi Hirasaki, Col. Young O. Kim, and Irene Hirano, regarding a national AJA Veterans Reunion in 2001 in Los Angeles. The plan is to have the Japanese American National Museum coordinate the affair, relieving us veterans of all that work.

There was a request from Rodney Shinkawa, fundraiser for the Washington, D.C., Japanese American Memorial, for permission to distribute materials and to say a few words at the 57th Anniversary Banquet. The Board voted to allow him to distribute the materials, but not to give him time on the stage to pitch for the memorial.

A request from our Sons and Daughters for money for the publication of a Medal of Honor Commemorative Book was tabled.

It was suggested that the Nominating Committee start looking for nominees for next year's officers soon. We will be needing a new President, 15t Vice President and 2nd Vice President. All members who are interested, let your chapter nominating committee representative know.

The Board approved the purchase of 500 pencils at a cost of approximately $200 to be given to students. The pencils will be given away by Tokuji Ono and Martin Tohara who go to schools to give talks about their war experiences. Until recently, they gave away POGS, but the supply has been exhausted. The Board felt that pencils with the Club's name and military unit imprinted will be appreciated by the students.

The June Board meeting has been postponed until June 18, 1999. It was also decided that there be a luncheon following the meeting, place to be decided at a later date.

We received a thank-you letter from the USS Missouri Memorial Association. They gave the club a free pass, but I have to go along with it, so let me know when you want to visit the Mighty Mo.

Club 100 has received $5,000 from the Estate of the late Wilhelmine (Helen) Vaughn, widow of the late Lt. James Vaughn. The amount has been placed in the savings account.

Professor and Mrs. Taku Aramassa joined the Board members for lunch. Prof. Aramassa teaches in the Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan. His next project is entitled, "Nikkei Amerika-jin," and will focus on the Americans of Japanese ancestry. Professor and Mrs. Aramassa seemed to have found a home at Club 100. They were very appreciative

, 2

of aU of you who gave your time to their project. We think they left with a greater understanding of the nisei during World War II and their lives after the war. We hope all of his photographs turn out well, for he will reach a wide range of audience.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT by Drusilla A. Tanaka

Thank you to everyone who brings in magazines to the Clubhouse. They are enjoyed by everyone.

Mahalo nui loa to the following donors for their thoughtful and timely gifts to Club 100; • $100 from Toshio Gibo in memory ofShizuko Gibo • $5,000 from the Estate of the late Wilhelmine (Helen) Vaughn • $50 from Mike and Betty Tokunaga (C) • $100 from Seigi Adaniya (C) • $100 from Doris Aimoto in memory of Yoshito Aimoto (HQ) A size 34 Eisenhower jacket was donated by Tetsuo "Pee Wee" Tateishi (A)

The PukaPuka Parade received: • $50 from an anonymous donor • $100 from Doris Aimoto in memory ofYoshito Aimoto (HQ) • $50 from Mike and Betty Tokunaga (C) • $10 from Americo Bugliani

Welcome to New Life Members Wallace Oouma (HQ) aod Kiichi Kohatsu (HQ).

Donors to the Fort Benning, Georgia, Monument Project:

• $500 • $100 • $50 • $100 • $50. • $50 • $100 • $100 • $50 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $50 • $50 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $50 • $100 • $100 • $100 • $200 • $20 • $200 • $SO • $50

from Sakae Takahashi (B) from Toshiko Fukuda from Robert Arakaki (B) from Hakaru Taoka (F IBlRural) from Jits Yoshida (D) from Masaichi Yoza (B) from Harry Kamikawa (AlRural) from Tsukasa Muramoto (B) from Don Matsuda (A) from Moms Kihara (C) from Y oshiko Hirokawa in memory of Edward Hirokawa (A) from .Irving M. Akahoshi (HQ/Mainland) from Takeo Azama (B) from Natsue Honda from Jun Enomoto (MED) from Mildred Fencl in memory of Warren Fencl (Honorary C) from Stanley lzurnigawa (A/Maui) from anonymous donor from Seigi Adaniya (C) from Saburo Nishime (D) from Evelyn Honda (S&D) in memory of her father, Tatsuo Honda (HQ) from Tetsuo Tateishi (A) from Shigeru Tsubota (DlMainland) from R.E. and Jeanne Mills of Mountain Home, Idaho from Margaret M. Bolton of San Antonio, Texas from LTC (Ret) Thomas J. and Mildred L. Feeny of Mechanicsburg, PA from Takeshi Teshima (B/Japan) from Mike and Betty Tokunaga (C) from Richard Halloran (Honorary)

The letter attached to Richard Halloran's check reads: " ... The idea of putting the monument where newly commissioned or newly trained officers will see it and at the home of the infantry is appropriate. Applause for whoever thought it up ... .1 graduated from the Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, known somewhat irreverently as Benning's School for Boys, during the Korean War. We used to joke that instead of a graduation present, we would be given T-shirts on which a bull's eye had been imprinted with the slogan: 'LT, you are expendable.' .. .in many ways, Fort Benning is where I grew up~"

To date, $7,495 has .. been raised toward the goal of $35,000. Thank you all for your generous donations. If you would like to send in a gift, please make the check payable to Club 100 and on the memo line, write "Fort Benning Monument."

Happy 8(jh Birthday to the foUowing who wiU become "octogenarians" in April: Oscar Fukino (FIHQ/Rural), Gordon Kadowaki (HQ), Muggsy Morikawa (MEDICSlKauai), Fred Nakamura (B), Fred Toyama (D), and Yoshitaka Ushijima (C).

+ATTITUDE: Another "pair" of "Positive Attitude" awards this month-Seie and Evelyn Oshiro. "Sei" has been the primary care-giver for Evelyn since she suffered a stroke last summer. With the help of their children, he has re-designed much of the home, making it "wheelchair" friendly, installing a lift and re-designing the interior. Meanwhile, Evelyn worked diligently at her rehabilitation and is now able to walk with a cane. She still does the laundry chores, using the lift rather than the stairs. Sei takes her for exercise at Magic Island and to the day care center once a week so that she can have social contact with others. This gives him a break and a chance to get to the golf course. They are slowly cleaning out the years of accumulated treasures, and bringing anything recyclable to Club 100. Besides office and craft supplies, there are the replicas of the stained-glass at the Monte Cassino Abbey, driftwood candlesticks for the anniversary memorial services, books and other memorabilia, which are in excellent condition, thanks to Evelyn's meticulous packing and storing. These material items are mere symbols of the years and years of dedication that this very talented couple has given to Club 100, to Able Chapter and to the Golf Clubs. Now that they are facing a new challenge in their lives, we know they will prevail with their positive attitudes, doozo. gambatte kudasai.

The PukaPuka Parade is the monthly newsletter of Club 100, Veterans of the 100In Infantry Battalion. Published at 520 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96826.

FEELING LUCKY? The 100thl442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation is selling raffle tickets for a drawing to take place at the Unveiling and Dedication Luncheon on June 5. The proceeds will benefit the Foundation's educational programs. The tickets are $2.00 ~er piece and the grand prize is $5,000, 2nd prize is $2,000; 3rd prize is $1,500; 4th prize is $1,000 and 5t prize is $500. The winner need not be present. Call the Club office if you are interested in purchasing tickets. Postal regulations prohibit any more information. DO NOT SEND IN ANY CASH OR CHECKS. Call the office first if you are interested in purchasing some tickets.

57m Anniversary Banquet - Please use the registration form in the February issue of the PPP to send in your reservations for the event on June 26 at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. Seating is limited.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE SCHEDULED EVENTS:

• Saturday, May 29 • Saturday, June 5

• Monday, June 14 (tentati ve)

• Saturday, June 26 • Sunday, September 26

Annual Clubhouse Clean Up, beginning at 8 a.m. Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony of the "Go For Broke" Monument in Los Angeles Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony ofthe 100th Inf. Bn. monument at Fort Benning, Georgia Anniversary Banquet at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel Annual Memorial Service

INFORMATION CENTRAL

Thanks to aU of you who responded to the item about Lt. Ross Fujitani in the Jast issue. Cedric Fujitani called to say how much he appreciated hearing from you.

A new request has come in from Mr. Ken Hirayama who is working with NHK of Japan to produce a documentary on the Okinawan Relief Campaign which was initiated by Thomas Taro Riga who served in E and A Companies. Please call the clubhouse office at 946-0272 if you have any information about Mr. Higa, the Okinawan Relief Campaign or if you have any photographs of Okinawa taken around 1948.

Speaking of Okinawa-the Japanese American National Museum is planning to take the "From Bento to Mixed Plate" exhibit to Okinawa in late 2000 or early 2001. Do you know of any former Hawaii

\ 4

residents who are living in Okinawa who might serve as volunteer docents for the exhibit? Please call or write to the clubhouse office with their names, addresses and telephone numbers.

Richard Halloran is writing a book about Spark Matsunaga (D) and he is wondering how Sparky heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was stationed on Molokai then and it is presumed that he heard by radio, but he may have been asleep or at breakfast when someone told him. Second, did he ever tel1 anyone what his immediate reaction was? Third, what did he do then? If Sparky told you or wrote to you about that day, his reaction, and what he did, please call the clubhouse at 946-0272.

We do get a lot of interesting calls at the Clubhouse office. The call received one afternoon was by far the most unusual:

Xsec: Good afternoon, Club 100. Caller: Uh, could you recommend a kennel for my dog? Xsec: Excuse me, who are you calling for? Caller: Don't you have a veterinarian there? Xsec: No, but we got a lot of vets here. Caller: Could someone recommend a kennel for my dog? Xsec: How did you get this number anyway? Caller: I'm looking in the yellow pages under "Veterinarians and Military Organizations" Xsec: This is a Veterans Organization. You need to look under Veterinarians. Silence. Click.

BOOK REVIEW: Thank you to Ben Tamashiro for sending in the following review of Japanese Eyes •• .A1IU!I';can Heart. For those who are interested, contact the Sons and Daughters to purchase a copy.

'Japanese Eyes ... American Heart Personal reflections of Hawaii's WW II Nisei Soldiers compiled by the Hawaii Nikkei

History Editorial Board

53 Contributors: George Akita, Stanley Akita, Bishop Ryokan Ara, Gov. George Ariyoshi, Lyn Crost, Kikuyo Fujimoto, Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani, Takejiro Higa, Chaplain Hiro Higuchi, Jesse Hirata, Edward Ichiyama, Kenneth Inada, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Joseph Itagaki, Warren Iwai, Seiso Kamishita, Robert Katayama, Minoru Kishaba, Katsumi Kometani, Hideto Kono, Hoichi Kubo, Henry Kuniyuki, U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga, Michael Miyatake, Tom Mizuno, Walter Moriguchi, Tsutomu Nagata, Raymond Nosaka, Ronald Oba, Tokuji Ono, Robert Sakai, Richard Sakakida, Samuel Sasai, Robert Sato, Don Seki, Joe Shimamura, A.A. Smyser, Kan Tag ami , Sakae Takahashi, Fujio Takaki, Ben Tamashiro, Tadashi Tojo, Mike Tokunaga, John Tsukano, Conrad Tsukayama, Ted Tsukiyama, Albert Turner, Ernest Uno, Chaplain Masao Yamada, Ben Yamamoto, Sohei Yamate, Kaoru Y onezawa, Chaplain Israel Yost.

Wherefore this book? All of us are familiar with the stories of the exploits of the nisei warriors of World War Two: Their battles fought and won, tactics employed, Jessons learned, hardships endured, and such. But not many are there who can delve beneath these tales of heroism and sacrifices to look into the hearts and souls of these men; youngsters once who on national days, for instance, used to wave the "hinomaru" at parades and events - the very flag imprinted beneath the wings of the planes that attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

But that is citing just one instance of how they grew up to be Americans. And whether one has gone to war or not, most of us can recall our own parallel experiences, rich in history and loaded with emotions. These are the personal imprints that the contributors would like to leave with you.

Take, for instance, the account of Kan Tagami (MIS), born in California. He ultimately came to serve as Gen. MacArthur's personal interpreter in Japan and in that position once came to represent the general in a personal meeting with the emperor. Says Tagami, "The emperor walked in alone. We bowed to each other. He shook my hand, and then we sat down."

And at the close of the discussion, he said to himself that "I didn't feel it was my place to sit and chit-chat so I bid him good night and left." Then he reported to MacArthur on the results of the meeting. Now there's one cool, sophisticated cucumber, in any man's lingo.

s'

Swinging over from emperor to parents, we come to the story of Seiso Kamishita (looth), Kauai born. He had been inducted a year before Pearl Harbor and was with I Company, 299th

Inf., on Ka.ual when that happening came about. He challenges us to believe - the incredible story of his parents - and closes his narration with this statement: "I know the truth."

But what is truth? Philosophers and other men of letters tell us that truth, along with beauty and goodness, are the values by which we judge everything in the universe. As in our Declaration ofIndependence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

On his first pass home (to Waimea) after the islands were put on wartime footing, his parents were waiting for him, holding hands, head bowed. Mother was first to speak, saying that they both had something to ask him. "You are an American soldier. Your country is America - a wonderful country. Our country, Japan, attacked your country. That makes us your enemy. If you feel that it is your duty as an American soldier to shoot us, we will be proud of you."

And Dad added: "As an American soldier, you must not bring shame to your country, yourself, or your family. Do your best, even if you must give your life." How does a young man cope with these affirmations? Read his story. He's still active with Rural Chapter.

Humanism is defined as the belief in man as the measure of all things. And in a piece titled "Humanity in Action," Kenneth K. Inada (442nd

) illustrates this with his recollections of the fighting around Bruyeres and in the rescue of the 36th Division's "Lost Battalion."

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Inada's platoon was deployed along the edge of a forest along with others when suddenly the men heard the "bouncy whistling of a song" coming from a young German soldier on a bicycle. He was alone pedaling to get to where his comrades were evidently bivouacked in some farmhouses nearby. "Let's get him!" was . everyone's first reaction but the platoon sergeant said to wait until he gave the word, which wasn't long in coming. "Fire!" Rifles spit out their bullets but the bicyclist did not fall. Instead, he hopped off the bike., flung his rifle away and "took off like a scared jackrabbit toward the farmhouses and safety." What happened? Inada writes, "We all burst out in laughter. None of us had ever thought of gunning him down in cold blood."

Later, during the push to rescue the Lost Battalion, Inada's squad came under heavy machine gun fire from bunkers well hidden along the hillside. They routed the enemy from one such bunker and were within a few feet from it when they heard from within the cry of a wounded soldier. That stopped their advance for a moment during which interval a comrade dashed down the hillside into the dugout, lifted the wounded buddy onto his back and the two struggled their way up and over the hill to safety.

As in the first incident, no one had the heart to fire upon the easy target. "We were engrossed in silence a silence with complete understanding of the human situation." But get the book and read for yourself his description of how that universal desire of humans- the eternal search for truth, beauty and goodness - comes into play even in a battlefield environment, and how it has corne to affect him in the postwar period.

And not to be outdone, Bud Smyser acts as a spokesman for the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, more lovingly referred to as the "pineapple soldiers." Unlike the 100/442 and the MIS, the 1399th stayed right here in Hawaii, slaving over the unglamorous but'vitally necessary job of preparing and maintaining the training fadlities for the armed forces moving out into the Pacific theater of operations. Theirs were the blood and tears of hard labor, not of combat medals.

Hideto Kono who chaired the Hawaii Nikkei History Editorial Board introduces the book, how it came to be: A collection of combat tales that have the capacity of taking us back, all the way back, to such epics as the conquests of Alexander The Great, for instance ... who in the fourth century B.C. strode across the mountains and valleys and plains from Macedonia in Greece to Persia and Egypt, into Mesopotamia and India and return; the conqueror of the civilized world.

And in our time and circumstances, the combination of Japanese eyes and American heart has made for another great fighting machine, triggering that feeling of excitement allover again.

Thanks, again, to Maui Correspondent Tom Nagatafor sending us another "chapter" of his WW2 Memories:

WWl MEMORIES - CASSINO, RAPIDO RIVER By Tom Nagata (ClMaui)

January 24, 1944: It was almost midnight. Company C on the left and Company A on the right were at the line of departure, a road leading into Cassino, on our left. An artillery barrage of 500 guns had been firing on the Gustav Line of enemy machinegun emplacements about a quarter mile from us, for the last half hour. The objective for the 100th Inf. Bn. was the Rapido River. My assignment was to see that the scouts of the first and second platoons ofC Company advance together, so I was kept busy as we advanced through knee-deep flooded fields and ditches, with the rest of the company following behind. About 400 yards into "no-man's land," we came to a wide dry waist-high ditch where we waited for the company to catch up to us. Shortly after we left the ditch an above-ground mine went off wounding all the scouts of the two platoons. Three were able to walk back to the aid station and one had to wait for litter bearers, because of a leg injury. Suddenly, an enemy machinegun opened fire through the dry ditch and Corporal Edward Yoshida was seriously wounded. I tried to help him in the dark of night, but he died soon afterward. Meantime, Platoon Sgt. John Miyagawa took off his pack and with white marker tape in hand, crawled his way through the mine field to the Rapido River cement wall. C Company went through the mine field following the white tape marker without any casualty. Next morning, as 1 ate my K ration, I gave one to Miyagawa, as he had left his pack in the dry ditch with his K rations inside. Company A, under the command of Captain Mits Fukuda, had also reached the Rapido River before daylight and had suffered casualties also. About mid-morning, our artillery threw some smoke shells around the muddy field that we had crossed the night before.

'Suddenly, B Company with Captain Sakae Takahashi leading, charged across the field toward A Company and the Rapido River bank. Enemy machineguns opened fire on them as the smoke thinned out and when they went through the mine field, more casualties were suffered. Isoji Iwaishi of Makawao was one of the men that made it to the Rapido River bank that morning, and later that evening he was one of the litter bearers that carried a seriously wounded major back to the aid station. Another Maui soldier, radioman Sueo Noda of Kahului was killed that morning. Soon after B Company had joined A Company, we received orders to fix bayonet and prepare for a frontal assault. I looked over the dry river bed, and the barbed wire and mine fields underneath, and the machinegun emplacements on the hill above that and wondered if any of us would reach our objective that morning. No orders came to attack. Some time during the day, Captain Mizuta spotted an enemy soldier standing up in his machine gun emplacement and he ordered Platoon Sgt. John Myagawa to take a rifle shot at him. Later, under cover of darkness, C Company was ordered to pull back to our former line of departure. Scout Richard Iriguchi, who was still waiting in the dry ditch because of his wounded leg, was dragged back to safety by his friends. By daybreak, we had dug in behind a row of hedges beside the road when suddenly we heard a short burst of machinegun fire. Taro Tonai, C Company messenger, was seriously wounded while he was on his way to deliver a message. He died before he could get medical help and his body was left in a dry irrigation ditch. Unfortunately, it rained heavily after we left and his body was washed down to the Rapido River before it could be recovered. He is the only KIA from Maui whose body was not recovered in WW2. Platoon Sgt. John Miyagawa and Sgt. Gary Hisaoka of C Company and Captain Mits Fukuda of A Company won the Silver Star Medals for Valor in Combat.

HEADQUARTERS CHAPTER REPORT by Kenneth Saruwatari

It was very pleasant to see some new faces and the usual regulars at the last meeting. We learned that we should continue to have wives and widows present at our meetings.

For the second consecutive month, your president couldn't attend the mother club board meeting. Ken Otagaki kindly represented the chapter. His board report at our meeting was comprehensive and we all got the scoop on the various items.

The chapter treasurer reported that we are not broke, but our surplus will not last very long. I'm sure Torn Nosse would appreciate any contributions.

Our next scheduled event wil1 be a luncheon meeting on Friday, April 23, 1999, at 11 :30 a.m. The meeting on April 13 is cancelled. If you would like to attend, please call Ken or Vivian Saruwatari at 373-4050 before Apri120. We will let you know the place.

Thank you, Pat, Doris A., Doris T., Vivian, Dorothy, Ethel and Hisae. Robert Fukumoto was welcomed by all.

7

ABLE CHAPTER NEWS by Tommy Nishioka

The year 1999 isn't a very good year for Able Chapter as we incurred tremendous deficit by losing two valuable members this past month: Jiro Matsui (Mr. Petland) and Robert Karasaki. While Jiro was weB-known in Hawaii and Japan as a successful entrepreneur, having founded Petland at Ala Moana Center, we kept very busy and we saw him about once a year at our Christmas parties. He was always smiling and had time to talk story. The many bouquets and floral wreaths at his memorial service indicate just how well-loved he was. Thank you to Kuni Fujimoto and Goro Sumida for assisting with the battalion flags at the memorial service and to Tetsuo "Pee Wee" Tateishi for holding the colors at Punchbowl.

Able Chapter wishes to convey our deepest condolences and sympathy to Mrs. Matsui and to Mrs. Karasaki and their families for their great losses.

Able Chapter is losing so many members that our membership roster is just dwindling to a minimum. As I mentioned previously, we will probably have to ask the wives and widows to join our chapter meetings. How about it, wives and widows, would you like to join our meeting? We serve breakfast and I would guarantee that the men will do the cooking!

BAKER CHAPTER NEWS by Bernard S. Akamine

It was May I 945-we were in Gedhi, Italy. Our job was to process the defeated German tro0p's that came in by company strength. They were required to display all of their belongings on the gorund. Our job was to confiscate firearms, knives, bayonets, compasses, even straight razors and any money in excess of a certain amount (that amount I have forgotten). It was in this setting that a German handed me his Iron Cross, saying that it is of no value to him now that they lost the war. I think about this now that our own members of the 100th who received the DSC are in the process of a possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award a soldier can receive. When this happens, we can really celebrate and congratulate them as heroes. Whereas that German that gave me his medal must have returned home a nobody.

Spoke to Masami Hamakado on the phone. He says he blacks out every now and then. He spent 2 days in the hospital for observation, but doctors could not find anything wrong. Take care, Masa.

April 25th at 4 p.m. will be our first Family Night. Robert Aoki's menu will be Roast Beef, Roast Chicken with stuffing, a fish dish, tossed salad, French bread and fresh fruit. With the cost of things going up, the price per person will be $6.00. As usual, parking will be at Ala Wai School. Donations of pupu, tsukemono, desserts, prizes will be very much appr~ciated. So far, no one has volunteered to take care of the games for the children, so anyone out there who is willing to help with this, please call Rikio Tsuda at 262-8285.

I want to take this means to thank Bert and Vonnie Turner for the beautiful orchid plant they gave to each of the Team Captains for the LA Monument Fundraising Project. I was on duty at Punchbowl on the day of the last meeting, so I missed out on the lunch that they and Hajime provided. But, they made sure that I got the orchid plant which still has its blossoms.

CHARLIE CHAPTER NEWS by Warren Iwai

Meeting: Twelve members were present at the meeting on March 15th• It was good to see Toshio

Anzai and Takeichi Onishi back again. "C" Chnapter has decided to spearhead the program for getting our members who are ot well but still ambulatory, who are now confined at home 7 days a week, to come to the Clubhouse once or twice a week and meet other members in similar situations and also to meet the general membership. This program may also include spouses. The first information we need is the number of members (spouses) interested in this kind of a program. We will be asking for assistance from all the chapters for this information, but in the mean time, I am airing it out to all members through this medium and asking them to call our Executive Secretary, Mrs. Drusilla Tanaka, to let her know' that they are interested. We believe now is the time to tell your fellow paesano how much of a support he was to you in the front line; laugh with him over the fun you had with him on furlough; thank him for sharing his ration in the front when you didn't have any-share with him these experiences and feelings - NOW!

" 8

The Club 100 5ih Anniversary Banquet is set for Saturday, June 26 at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. The deadline to sign up for this party is April 15, so please hurry up and make your reservations. The registration fonn for the party was in the February issue of the PukaPuka Parade.

The Annual Clubhouse Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, May 29.

On March 8, at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel inWaikiki, Saburo Ishitani celebrated his 84th birthday with his friends and relatives. Our congratulations, Saburo, and hope that you have many more happy anniversaries to celebrate. Sabu-san has shown us that life can begin at 80.

Hakaru (Sam) Tao, formerly of Koloa, Kaui, died on February 18, 1999. Hakaru was transportation sergeant for Co. "C." He is survived by daughter, Grape, and grandson, Jason Tao Morgenstein. A private service was held. Our sincere condolences to the family.

Mrs. Shizuko Gibo, wife of Toshio Gibo, passed away on February 15, 1999, in Hilo, Hawaii. Our sincere condolences to Toshio and their four children. Toshio was in Co. HC" 3rd platoon. He worked in Okinawa for many years and returned home to Hilo to retire.

Mrs. Louise Maehara, wife of Saburo Maehara, KIA, was a recent visitor to the Clubhouse. She is a retired social worker and lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the sister of Sam Sasai, 442nd

veteran. It was our pleasure meeting you, Louise, and we hope you had a wonderful vacation back in Hawaii. Saburo was a wonderful guy whom we will always remember.

ATTENTION: Our next meeting will be held on Aprillt\ the second Monday in April. The meeting will be held at the Leeward Drive Inn, 94-209 Pupukahi Street, WaipahU, telephone 671-7323. We will meet at the Club 100 Clubhouse at 10:00 AM and pool our ride to Waipahu. Meeting will start at 10:30 AM with lunch to follow. We are hoping all our members from Ewa, Pearl City, Kailua, Kaneohe will join us. Leeward Drive Inn is a family enterprise and Jerry Yamaki, Co. "C" 1 st platoon, is a partner in the business.

DOG CHAPTER NEWS by Helen Nikaido

Our February meeting was attended by Saburo Nishime, Conrad Tsukayama, "Jits" Yoshida, Martin Tohara, "Matsu" and Jane Matsunami, "Doc" Hosaka, Ken Mitsunaga, and Helen Nikaido.

REMINDER: Chapter dues are now payable.

Our get well wishes go to Wally Chinen. This year he has been in and out of the hospital on two occasions. Hope you are feeling better.

"Fuzzy" Yoshimasu was in Las Vegas with her sister and brother in January. Satsuyo Hasegawa (A) and I joined Ed and Kay Harada on a trip to Las Vegas in February. I don't know how Kay can be so luc~y. Two years ago, she won the Royal Flush on the poker machine on Valentine's Day. This year, the day before Valentine's day, she again hit the Royal Flush. It took me 25 years before I hit the Royal Flush. Hard Luck! No wonder she wants to go there so often.

Mitsuko Kurisu will be going to Las Vegas on April 22 for her class reunion. I wish you lots ofluck.

Martin Tohara is working hard as the Chairman of the Spark Matsunaga V A Medical Center Comme~orative Plaque Committee.

RURAL CHAPTER CHATTER by Ted M. Hamasu

Well, the Executive Secretary lost the Rural Chapter News article for April. So, this "Memo to All Personnel" is being issued in its place. '

MEMO TO: SUBJECT:

All Personnel Absenteeism

It has become necessary for us to revise some of our policies, due to frequent absenteeism of our staff. The following changes are in effect as of today:

SICKNESS;

DEATH:

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

DEATH:

MISC:

No excuses. We will no longer accept your doctor's statement as proof of illness, as we believe if you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

(Other than your own). This is not an excuse. There is nothing you can do for them, and we are sure that someone of lesser position than yourself can attend to the arrangements. However, if the funeral can be held in the late afternoon, we will be glad to let you off an hour early provided your share of the work is ahead enough to keep the job going in your absence.

(For an operation). We are no longer allowing this practice. We wish to discourage any thoughts that you may need an operation, as we believe that as long as you are an employee here, you will need all of what you have and you should not consider having anything removed. We hired you as you are, and to have anything removed would certainly make you less than we bargained for.

(Your own). This will be accepted a~ an excuse, but we would like a two-week notice, as we feel it is your duty to teach someone else your job.

Entirely too much time is being spent in the restrooms. In the future we will follow the practice of going in alphabetical order. For instance, those whose names begin with "A" will go from 8:00 to 8:15, "B" will go from 8:15 to 8:30, and so on. If you are unable to go at your appointed time, it will be necessary to wait until the next day when your turn comes again.

The date a/thiS memo is April 1- hope you enjoyed a good laugh/or April Fool's day!

HAWAII CHAPTER NEWS by Jimmy Maeda

Hawaii Chapter president, Motoyoshi Tanaka, announced that the April meeting will be held on Thursday, April 29, at the AJA Veterans Memorial Hall, 12:00 noon. It will be the annual spring ladies luncheon get together. We are hoping that Kauai Chapter president Muggsy Morikawa will be able to join us. In early January at a funeral in Honolulu, Muggsy expressed interest in coming to Hilo. In the event Joe Muramatsu, president of our Mother Chapter and Stanley lzumigawa, Maui Chapter president join us, it will become a special gathering. We remember the last Mother chapter president visiting us was Stanley Akita, former Honomu boy. Hawaii men, please remember to extend an invitation to your wives. Other details about the gathering will come from the team captains.

The 64th annual Hawaii AlA State Baseball Tournament will be in Hilo on April 3 and 4, at the Wong Stadium. Many of the Club 100 men, wives, and youngsters, who are supporters of Hilo's Hawaii AJA Memorial Baseball League will be working to make the tournament a successful one. Members of Club 100 who are officers of the Hilo league are: Stanley Ushijima, Vice President; Toshimitsu Kondo, Auditor and Yasu Iwasaki, Advisor. Our best wishes for a successful tournament in Hilo.

Shizuko Gibo ofHilo died on February 15 at the Hilo Medical Center. She was 72 years at the time of her death. Our prayer of sympathy to husband, Toshio Gibo (Hawaii Chapter); son, Ken of Huntington Beach, CA; daughters, Keiko Shewmaker of Pepeekeo; Hitomi Doi and Setsuko Tamura of Mililani. Funeral service for Shizuko was held on February 22 in Hilo.

KAUAI CHAPTER NEWS by Tsugi Takemoto

After trying to track down Muggsy Morikawa, President, I learned that the only news he had was that the next meeting is going to be on April 18, 1999. So be there! .

Congratulations to Shimoe Mukai who was named the Lihue Senior Centers' 1998 outstanding member. She not only participated in the center's activities and outreach programs, but has been secretary for eight years.

] 0,

Our sympathies to the family of Hakaru Tao who passed away at Kahuku Hospital on February 18 at the age of 85. Sympathies are also extend to Masao Yotsudawhose mother passed away February 14, 1999, at the age of 103. Private services were held.

My thoughts on "From Bento to Mixed Plate:" Unlike people my age who were raised here, I knew nothing of what had gone on. I met and married Wally in Minneapolis MN as he was discharged on the mainland. He made remarks on how he was brought up, but it never sunk into our way of life. I was brought up strictly as a Kotonk. Born and raised in California, I went to an internment camp in Colorado. From there I went to Chicago for a year then on to Minneapolis, as Chicago was too dirty to suit me and I wanted to find a place to get my father ana mother out of camp. Among the things I had to learn-that all Japanese aren't Japanese. By that I mean I had never l'].eard of Okinawans. 'Til this day, I get all the nationalities confused. I remember when I was working, I heard one of them say she doesn't know the differences. I had to be corrected that a Portuguese was not Caucasian. That is the way you are brought up on the Mainland. None of us knew the difference.

I heard about the 100th after I met Wally. In the camp, the 442nd was the outfit my brother signed up for. In fact, I knew nothing about the South .. I went to Camp Shelby and was going to get on a bus with my brother and two friends and they kept saying you don't sit in the back. Well, I sat in the back, as there were no other seats available. Oh, the looks I got. I guess ignorance is bliss. Now I

. understand more about how. Wally was raised.

I am a museum buff. I love to go to museums. "From Bento to Mixed Plate"was really a learning experience. I hope to see it again. I leave for Washington, D.C., on Frid~ and visit my daughter and grand-daughter in San Leandro on the way back and get back on the 6 . I belong to the National American Historical Society in San Francisco and my daughter is a member of the one in Los Angeles. Each to gain a knowledge of who we are.

I could tell you a lot more, but the above will suffice for now. Last but not least, a Chinese woman I know insists that she is Taiwanese. Well, everybody is the same to me.

I did enjoy the "Bento" exhibit. It was very well presented. Just wish I had more time.

MAUl CHAPTER NEWS by Tom Nagata

Although Maui Chapter's meeting date was changed from March 2 to March 9, a short announcement in the Puka Puka Parade was enough to bring out 21 members, 12 wives, and 7 widows for the 11 a.m. luncheon meeting. Chapter President Stanley Izumigawa presided over the meeting opening with the reading of minutes by secretary Edward Nishihara followed by the treasurer's report. Since this is our first chapter meeting, we missed the deadline for the J 00/442lMIS Memorial fund drive, but members voted to pledge $3,000.00 Better late than never.

The year's activities will be the same as last year. Mother's Day dinner chairman Satoji Butch Arisurni reported that our Mother's Day dinner will be 1unch at the Maui Tropical Plantation, Waikapu, May 11, Tuesday. Be sure to be there by 11:30 a.m. Your team captain will be calling for your headcount before that event, and the charge will be $10.00 per couple or $5.00 for singles. Widows are invited free of charge.

No activities are planned for April, so it is possible that there will not be any Maui Chapter news next month. (Editor's note: They say that no news is good news, Tom, but in your case, your WW2 memories will fill in the space nicely. Your WW2 Memories - Cairo -Cassino will be in the April issue.)

We extend our deepest sympathy to Goichi Shimanuki on the loss of his wife, Dorothy. She died at Maui Memorial Medical Center on March 11, 1999. Services were held at the Paia Montokuji Mission on Tuesday, March 16, with cremation afterwards. Chapter President Stanley Izumigawa gave the message of condolence.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS by June Kurisu

A long overdue tribute to Col. Young Kim was held on December 5 at Stevens Steak House. Organizer Kiyo Yamate reported 250 attended the luncheon. Senator Daniel Inouye, Congressional Medal of Honor winner Hershey Miyamura and Buddy and Lily Mamiya's son, Chip Mamiya, were

11 j

speakers who gave glowing accounts of Col. Kim's exploits. Irene Hirano, executive director of the Japanese American National Museum, Terry Miyamura, and Mrs. Hanh Kim were also honored guests. Ted Ohira, Toe Yoshino, and Don Seki provided vocal entertainment from the Association as did guest Ted Toguchi. Maybe the female vocalist won't sing again if the group pays for her dinner -this is the opposite of singing for your supper.

The 100/442 Association Installation Dinner was held on January 16. The slate of officers remains the same with the exception that Russell Nakaishi replaced our deceased Henry Sakato as secretary and Henry Yoshitake is the new Association coo,rdinator. That still leaves two 100th vets as officers with Ben Tagami remaining as vice president. Hank should be counted three times since he fills three pairs of combat boots-treasurer, trustee and coordinator. He believes in administering or is it passing or sharing the buck? As treasurer, he appointed George Kurisu as his accounts receivable assistant and Jun Fukuzawa as his accounts payable assistant. He says he intends to do the same kind of administering in his new position. Kiyo Yamate is president and Frank Seto is the first VP. Carol Kawamoto, past Pacific Southwest District Governor of the JACL, and presently coordinator of the educational committee of the Monument Foundation working to get the story of the Nisei veterans in the schools, was the speaker for the luncheon.

Bev Picazo did her usual great job in planning the 100th's Valentine's dinner at the Sea Empress in Gardena. She had pink Beanie Baby Bunnies for the people lucky to be born in the year of the rabbit. The food was delicious - fish, crispy chicken, duck, shrimp, a dish with huge mushrooms to name a few of the many, many course dinner. The cake honored the Valentine ladies as well as octogenarian Henry Hayashi, the most senior in the Club, and Ben Tagami, ten years Henry's junior. Chisato Yamaguchi again supplied each family with a jar of her delicious kumquat jam. She even supplied sacks into which all of us put the jam as well as the heart-shaped basked filled with candy by Bev, the crystal-beaded Heavenly Angel made by the talented Ghiz Ohira, the darling stylishly dressed girl ornament made by May Fujita, and the candy sticks from Teri Fujikawa. The green-thumbed Hayashis gave the women huge camellias grown in their "back 40." Thanks to all of you who made the dinner so special for the rest of us.

Bev, you've successfully passed your probation now, and the position of Valentine dinner planner is yours! Your dad is smiling his approvaL Those who were there to enjoy the dinner were Irene and Craig Abe, May and Wayne Fujita, Chuckie Seki, Douglas Tanaka, Susan and Howard Tanaka, Aileen Akagi, Fumi Sakato, Irene and Dr. Bill Sato, Hisa and Ken Miya, Bonnie and Kiyoshi Horino, Chisato and Kei Yamaguchi, Harumi and Harry Sasaki, Elma and Mas Takahashi, Chiz and Ted Ohira, Michi and Lloyd Toda, Dorothy and Duke Ogawa, Jean and Ben Tagami, Elsie and Hank Hayashi, Doris and Mike Miyake, Michael Miyake, his friend Gunter Wagner, Nobie Okamoto with Harry Fukasawa, Connie and Al Takahashi, Teri and Sam Fujikawa, Mitsu Fuchigami, Eva and Norman Noda, their 11-month daughter, Kiana, the Fujikawa's granddaughter and Mitsu's grand niece, Kazu and Hank Yoshitake, June and George Kurisu, Gladys and Ted Toguchi, Mitzi and Kiyo Yamate, Toe Yoshino and his friend Shieko Aiso, Bev and Carlos Picazo and their two friends. That makes six tables even though one little person ate only tofu and complained if the bites weren't supplied quickly enough.

Phyllis of Chase Travel says there is still time to join us in the tribute to the Nisei veterans in Branson, Missouri. The 100th participants to date are George and Florence Kinoshita, K. Kobashi, George and June Kurisu, Don maeda, Ken and Yoshiko Muranaga, Ben and Jean Tagami, Sam and Sarah Terasaki, Margaret Yaguchi, Reiko Yoshihashi, Rick and Jan Geary, Ko and Betty Ito, Toshio and Sue Yamanaka, Haru and Frank Nishimura, George Teranishi, Rikio and Evelyn Tsuda, Stanley and Doris Kimura, Mas and Elma Takahashi, Warren Tamura, Lawrence and Teruko Yatsu, Greg Abe, Linda Dominich, Herbert Kimura, May Fujita and Wayne Fujita, Ben and Shim Kawaguchi, Chuckie Seki and Michi Yamaguchi. Please excuse any wives' names omitted or misspellings-my hand may not have worked fast enough to keep up with Phyllis's dictating since I've been retired for nearly a whole decade now.

We were saddened to receive the news from Glasgow, Montana, that Judge Lawrence Miyasato passed away from heart failure following by-pass surgery. Our heartfelt condolences to Jean and the Miyasato family. Larry was an original member of the lOOth in Company A.

UPCOMING EVENTS: The Club 100 Family Dinner will be at 1 p.m. on April 17. (This columnist is going to call all 100th meals "dinners" whether they are near noon or in the evening because of the size of the meal, like lots of food.) "Anyway," as Ben Tagami says, the menu will be matsutake gohan. Gladys and Tom Tsuda, we'll be thinking of you with thanks with each bite we take. Wish you could be with us.

12 •

One and all: Please send in news. My phone number is (323) 265-0383; the address is 990 Brightwood Street, Monterey Park, CA 91754-6205; my e-mail addressisjunechat@hotmail.com. If you don't send in news, you may have to suffer through reading George's and my life stories which total nearly 143 years.

All of our Southern California 100lh Family wish you and yours good health for the remainder of this last year of the 20th century. After that new wishes will be extended.

Editor's note: Namie Takaki has requested the recipe/or the matsutake gohan. Onegaishimasu.

DIS AND DAT by Ray Nosaka

As June is only two months away, I would like to repeat the importance of making up your mind now as to whether you wish to join the group in celebrating the unveiling of the "Go For Broke Monument" in Los Angeles on June 5, and the post-celebration in Las Vegas starting on June 6, 1999. We have 40 airline seats and 40 banquet seats reserved for our group from Hawaii. We will be staying at the Miyako Inn which is conveniently located just a block from the monument site and in the heart of Lil Tokyo. If there are enough people interested in continuing on to Fort Benning after the Las Vegas celebration, we are working on an itinerary for them, but we must set a deadHne of April 5 in order to hold the seats. At the present time. there are a few seats still available, so please call me (737-4864) to put in your reservation and avoid missing out on this momentous occasion.

How many of you have ever noticed the beautiful "haku lei" each dove wears on its neck. I f you see any birds, take a good look at their colors and their "outfits"-you'll be amazed at what you can see and can't help but appreciate Mother Nature more. But be advised not to feed the birds in the public parks, or you might get a $500 fine from our City Fathers.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS NEWS

Domo arigato gozaimasu to the following for their donations to the Sons and Daugl,ters: • $100 from Dean Nakayama . • $100 for the Scholarship Fund from Dean Nakayama • $50 from Steve Takushi • $50 from Mike and Betty Tokunaga • $100 from Robert T. Sato for the Oral History Project

Sons and Daughters, help is needed for the Annual Clubhouse Clean Up on Saturday, May 29, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Come, bring a bucket, some rags, newspaper, a short ladder or step-stool. If you don't have any ofthese things,just bring your body, some elbow grease and a sense of humor. Be ready for some hand-to-hand combat with the dirt, dust and grime!

IN MEMORIAM

Jiro Matsui (A) March 6, 1999

Robert H. Karasaki (A) March 11, 1999

May they rest in peace.

The Club 100 Ohana extends deepest sympathies to their families.

13

CLUB 100 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR APRIL 1999

ABLE ..................................... Saturday, Apri124 ........................... 8 a.m ................................... Lounge BAKER .................................. Saturday, April 17 ........................... 1 p.m ................................... Lounge CHARLIE ............................. Monday, April 12 ............................ 10 a.m ......................... Board Room DOG ...................................... Saturday, April 17 ........................... 8 a.m .......................... Board Room HQ ....... Friday, April 23 ... Luncheon .... call Chapter President Kenneth Saruwatari for details HAWAII ............................... Thursday, April 22 ..................................... AJA Veterans Memorial Hall MA Dr .................................... no meeting RURAL ................................. no meeting KAUAI.. ................................ Sunday, April 18 • BOARD ................................. Friday, Apri19 ................................. 10 a.m ......................... Board Room S&D BOARD ........................ Friday, April 16 ............................... 7 p.m ......................... Board Room GREEN THUMB ................. Monday, April 5 .............................. 10 a.m .................................. Lounge KARAOKE FUN NITE ....... Friday, April 9 ................................. 6 p.m ........................... Turner Hall HOUSE and APr. COMMITTEES .... .cJ\1;onday, March 29 ......... 9:30 a.m ...................... Board Room NOMINATING COMMITTEE ......... Monday, March 29 ......... 11:00 a.m .................... Board Room

The Clubhouse Office will be closed on Friday, April 2, in observance of the Good Friday HoHday. The Clubhouse building will be ope~ as usual.

Deadline for articles for the May 1999 issue is Tuesday, April 20, 1999. E-mail articles to datanaka@juno.com or fax to (808) 946-0273.

The PukaPuka Parade coUating will be on Thursday, April 29 at 8:30 a.m. Dog, Medics, and Headquarters Chapters are responsible for providing the manpower and refreshments.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

Club 100 Veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion 520 Kamoku Street Honolulu HI 96826-5120

APRIL 1999 ISSUE

14

U.S. Postage PAID

Honolulu HI Pennit No. 158

.'