Gardena-based Nisei Memorial VFW Post 1961 held its annual Memorial Day service, chaired by Joe Kawata, on Monday at the Japanese Garden of Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier. The U.S. Marine Corps JROTC of Redondo Union High School posted and retired the colors, carried out a rifle salute to the honored dead, and played “Taps.” Post Commander Steve Moriyama led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Yukinori Gyokei Yokoyama of Long Beach Buddhist Church gave the invocation and benediction, and chanted sutras with Rev. Kazuaki Nakata of Nishi Hongwanji of Los Angeles, who also delivered a memorial to the war dead. Post Chaplain Low Dong gave opening and closing remarks, the post officers conducted the VFW ritual, and the congregation gave floral presentations. Pictured above, from left: Carolyn Dong, Steve Moriyama, Stan Shintani, Lynn Okamoto, Joe Kawata, Maria Shintani, Norm Nishikubo, Mike Miyamoto, Howard Takata, Steve Nakama, Low Dong.
J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo
