Yosh Nakamura (center) surrounded by The Tappettes. Supervisor Janice Hahn at right.
By Mary Uyematsu Kao
Yosh Nakamura is a community figure well-known for his activism, generosity of spirit, and his commitment to justice. June 30 was one of many celebrations for Yosh Nakamura’s 100th birthday. The “big one,” organized by Janice Hahn, was attended by around 300 people at Whittier’s Liberty Community Plaza, standing room only.
With the proper military color guard opening the event with the Pledge of Allegiance, the proud World War II veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was in for a treat as many communities joined together to celebrate Yosh’s 100th birthday.
An array of speakers represented the different communities that Yosh has worked in: from his military days, his many years in the education system, to his active involvement in his church community, and to his passion for art and the arts community.
Ivan Sulic, the field deputy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (4th District), was the master of ceremonies. Opening remarks from Supervisor Hahn were followed by Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez, Whittier City Councilwoman Mary Ann Pacheco, past Whittier Mayor Allan Zolnekoff, and Yorba Linda City Councilwoman Peggy Huang.
Yosh’s son, Dan Nakamura, gave a history of “Dad” that only a son can share.
Lt. Col. Victor Shen, David Iwata of the Japanese American Veterans Association, Mitchell Maki, president/CEO of Go For Broke National Education Center, Janet Ito, president of Friends and Families of Nisei Veterans, and Robert Johnson of the French Consulate in Los Angeles — all of whom continue to honor the World War II sacrifices of the 442nd RCT and 100th Battalion — gave testimonials of Yosh’s never-ending service to the U.S. military community.
Suzanna Gruesser, president, and Lark Hickey, past president of the Whittier Art Association, shared the mic for Yosh’s contributions to the local arts community; and Rev. Dr. Loletta Barrett of Whittier’s First Friends Church (Quaker) and Gloria Karam of Hillcrest Congregational Church in La Habra Heights rounded out Yosh’s life with local activist churches.
Entertainment highlights of the program were Harold Payne singing “Quiet Heroes”— written by Payne to honor the Japanese American veterans of the 100th/442nd and a grand finale by The Tappettes, who did an energizing synchronized tap-dance to the sounds of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” made famous by the Andrews Sisters in many a World War II movie.
Jennelle Cornaggia of The Tappettes explained that the average age of the group is 65 years old, and their favorite activity is dancing at senior living facilities. You can find their rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGMHpPYwzIQ
Yosh (in wheelchair) getting photographed. Daughter Linda and son Dan seen sitting at left facing Yosh.
In a phone conversation with Yosh three days after the event, Yosh shared with me how impressed he was that people throughout so many years of his life were there — former students, neighbors, and people that he and his wife connected with through 70 years of living in the Whittier community.
The Nakamuras were the first Japanese Americans to move into their neighborhood in 1956, and he recounted that a real estate agent said early on: “If he’s good enough to be teaching our kids, he’s good enough to be our neighbor.” The attentive audience at the celebration was testament to all his years of neighborly relations in the community.
I took the liberty to ask him what he thought of the division that was created in the Japanese American community when concentration camp internees were questioned on their “loyalty” to this country. Our community has long been haunted by the rift between those who volunteered to serve in the 100th/442nd versus those who protested the camps by resisting the draft. Yosh’s view is one that I hope speaks to healing that rift.
He said they were all young, many still teenagers, when confronted with the loyalty question. Everyone gave their individual responses. He did not hold any grudges against those who resisted the draft, and he felt the resisters were treated very badly — to the point of them losing everything. His own response as an 18-year-old was to “prove” the loyalty of the Japanese Americans because this was their country.
He shared his philosophy of life, when I asked him what advice he has to others as a 100-year-old. To paraphrase him: treat people decently, and give them the space to act decently. Those who don’t act decently, use them as a model of what NOT to be like.
Words of the wise. Thank you, Yosh Nakamura, for all the integrity you give to this crazy world.
Mary Uyematsu Kao is the author/photographer of “Rockin’ the Boat: Flashbacks of the 1970s Asian Movement” and formerly the publications coordinator of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center (1987-2018). She received her MA from UCLA Asian American Studies in 2007. She welcomes comments, questions, and/or criticisms at uyematsu72@gmail.com.Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.