President Min Tonai announced that the Japanese American Korean War Veterans will be holding its 17th annual installation and New Year’s celebration at the Sea Empress Seafood Restaurant in Gardena on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013.
Tonai will again guide the organization for the next year with 1st Vice President Mac Nakamura, 2nd Vice President Wally Takata and the Board of Directors.
Victor Muraoka will chair the event, Sam Shimoguchi will act as emcee, and Carl Miyagishima will conduct the “missing man” ceremony.
Special invitations to the installation are being sent to all local Japanese American veterans organizations, to the 2012 Nisei Week Queen and her court, the JAKWV travel group, the consul general of South Korea, the Korean Veterans Association, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center staff, and the Japanese American community in general.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the truce signed on July 27, 1953. Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura and Tonai have been selected to ride on the Department of Defense’s float commemorating the Korean War at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
The Korean American community has recognized the JAKWV for many years and continues to thank all veterans for saving their country, which today is modern, successful and prosperous. Many members and friends of the JAKWV have traveled to South Korea a number of times, and are always amazed at the progress they see every time they visit.
The travel group, which have gone to Europe, Asia, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Arizona and Las Vegas, is again invited to hold a mini-reunion at this event.
The Sea Empress Seafood Restaurant i 1636 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena. Reception is at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $25. Dress: casual.
Make checks payable to JAKWV and send names of participants to: Sam Shimoguchi, 12557 Allin St., Los Angeles, CA 90066. For more information, contact Shimoguchi at (310) 822-6688 or samkuni@verizon.net; Min Tonai at (818) 591-1269; or Wally Takata at (323) 722 2302.