By GAIL MIYASAKI
Rafu Craft Editor
To our Nikkei World War II vets, thank you!
Lives saved, lives lost . . . we owe you a debt of gratitude, beyond what words can ever express.
The warriors of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service (MIS), 1399th, Women’s Army Corps and others who served during this war did so admirably.
Making a commitment to preserve such historical events in Japanese American history, The Rafu Shimpo and Japanese American Living Legacy collaborated on this first project to produce an extraordinary 400-page paperback.
“What’s great about ‘Proud to Serve’ is that it’s a grassroots project where everyone donated their time and effort to ensure that the story of Japanese Americans’ military service during World War II is never forgotten. It shows what’s important to our community and to our country,” said editor Chris Komai.
Uprooted from West Coast homes after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, all persons of Japanese ancestry were detained in internment camps for the duration of the war under Executive Order 9066. Families were forcibly evacuated, sacrificing their homes, belongings, businesses and integrity.
Despite being deemed “enemy aliens” by our government, thousands of these young men and women volunteered to fight for our country. My discovery was finding the names of five uncles, all deceased, who were listed in the book.
Courage. Spirit. Humility. Loyalty.
The Congressional Gold Medal for distinguished achievement presented to the 100th, 442nd and MIS in 2011 was recognition proudly received. Being the most highly decorated of all U.S. military troops, sadly, many have passed on all too soon or were killed in action.
For info, call The Rafu Shimpo at (213) 629-2231 or JA Living Legacy at (714) 515-5501, info@jalivinglegacy.org.
A collage of photos, historical and current, make up the background cover design. On the back cover, the lens captured a smiling couple, James and Yuki Ogawa of Gardena. From the 100th Infantry Battalion C Company and a Go For Broke (GFB) Board of Directors member, James is the father of Krafty Delites event coordinator Stephanie Nakayama.
Krafty Delites Fall Boutique is the lone Asian arts and crafts show this Sunday. Head out to the Carson Community Center for the first event of the season. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the GFB.
Know that Roger Sato of Back Home in Lahaina restaurant will be tempting shoppers with buttery goodness. You’ll be saying “me want cookie!”
A shortbread cookie named after his 2-year-old daughter, the Kylie paradise keeps cookie lovers happy along with chocolate crunch, oatmeal and rainbow sugar. There’s a killer fudge chocolate brownie out there too!
How about specialty cheesecake? A walnutty cookie first layer balances the smoothness of haupia, Jell-O or chocolate cheesecake on top.
And the Hawaiian food? Seriously, if your hunger pangs are craving sustenance, head due west from the community center a few blocks down to the restaurant at 519 E. Carson St.
In business for 10 years, Back Home’s entrées include island fried chicken, kalbi short ribs, Hawaiian BBQ and teriyaki meats and a variety of fish. Plus poke, lau lau, Spam musubi and Portuguese sausage fried rice.
Sato is passionate about food. When he remembers back home in Hawaii, his favorite spot was hanging round the kitchen with his parents. From them, he learned how to make comfort food, like stew and short ribs. Expect great chow from his kitchen!
LIKE The Rafu on Facebook to keep up with Krafty Korner.
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Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Krafty Delites Fall Boutique #1
Carson Community Center
801 E. Carson St., Carson
kraftydelites@gmail.com,
Stephanie Nakayama
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 2-4, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Touch of Nature Holiday Show
Diamond Bar, call for location
909-594-5964, Lily Saito
Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holiday Boutique
WLA United Methodist Church
1913 Purdue Ave.
310-391-4048, Kathi Yamazaki
Sunday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Kiku Craft & Food Fair
ESGV Japanese Community Center
11203 W. Puente Ave., West Covina
951-818-8740, Hisako Koga
Saturday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Japantown Winter Boutique
Japanese American Museum of
San Jose
San Jose Buddhist Church Gym
640 N. 5th St., San Jose
winter_boutique@jamsj.org
Sunday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m
Holiday Craft Faire
Gedatsu Church
7850 Hill Dr., S. San Gabriel
626-572-0923, Judy Hamamoto
Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ayame Kai Holiday Craft Fair
Blaine Memorial Methodist Church
3001 24th Ave. So., Seattle, WA
425-827-4930, Shizue Yahata
Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Koi Krafters
Almansor Court, Lakeview Room
700 S. Almansor, Alhambra
626-282-2932, Irene Jong
Sunday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Beary Best Friends
Holiday Inn
7000 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
562-865-2637, Ellen Mabuni
Sunday, Dec. 1, 4-7 p.m.
SoCal Nikkei Bowling Assn. Holiday Craft Boutique Fair
Canoga Park Bowl
20122 Vanowen St., Winnetka
jteis@sbcglobal.net, Jane Teis