The Veterans Memorial Court Alliance (VMCA), together with co-sponsors Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Japanese American National Museum, Keiro and Little Tokyo Service Center, has announced that on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m., the annual Memorial Day Service to honor all Japanese Americans who gave their lives in our nation’s wars will be held adjacent to the Japanese American National War Memorial Court (Memorial Court) at the JACCC, located at 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo.
The JA community and nation are forever indebted to these Japanese Americans from all wars, whose names are engraved on the four black granite walls of the Memorial Court, for their supreme sacrifice for the United States of America.
VMCA announced that the key-note speaker will be Tamlyn Tomita. Tamlyn is a former Nisei Week Queen who began her acting career in “Karate Kid II.” She is a vocal advocate for the Japanese American community who generously donates her time and talent to help many community organizations. One of her current projects is “Defining Courage,” David Ono’s live/video tribute to our Nisei soldier heroes of WWII.
Mistress of ceremonies will be Kelly Sera, board member of Veterans Memorial Court Alliance.
Singing the national anthem and “God Bless America” will be Marlene Mitsuko Yamane, who sang and danced on a Japanese TV show and continues to sing with Asian Persuasion. She is also the daughter of a 100th Battalion veteran.
Harold Payne will sing his original composition “Quiet Heroes,” a tribute to the Nisei soldiers of WWII that he performed at the recent Sansei Rocker’s concert.
Also participating will be representatives from the many veteran and community organizations throughout the Southern California area. The Koyasan Buddhist Temple Boy Scout Troop 379 and the Redondo Union High School Marine Corp Jr. ROTC will again per-form the uniformed ceremonies of the service. Representatives from the Buddhist and Christian faiths will of-fer prayers to these brave men.
Gold Star Mothers, Fathers and Families who are in attendance will be acknowledged. Please check in at the registration table at the Memorial Court to confirm your attendance.
All those for whom we have an address were invited by letter or email. If you have not received our invitation, please contact Ken Hayashi, preferably by email, kenneth.s.hayashi@gmail.com, or by phone, (310) 833-0088.
They invite fellow veterans, active duty personnel and all members of the community to join us to remember and honor our heroes who gave their precious lives on our behalf. If you have any other questions about the services, please contact David Miyoshi at (310) 378-0615 or Ken Hayashi at (323) 833-0088.
Reminder: This is a live event. The organizers said they look forward to seeing you there.