Established: 1902
5196th Ave S.
Seattle WA 98104
(206)623-0100
mail to: info@napost.com |
   
Serving As Your Voice of the Nikkei Community Since 1902
Vol. 63, Issue 23 / May 28, 2008
Commemorating, Honoring and Remembering All Those Who Served
Nisei Veterans Committee holds 63rd Annual Memorial Day Service
By Yaeko Inaba
The North American Post
Kimitomo Muromoto (standing) and others observed a moment of silence
Photo by Yaeko Inaba
 |
On a cloudy Monday morning, over 200 persons were sitting or standing around a 21 feet high obelisk at Lake View Cemetery on Seattle's Capitol Hill to commemorate all Nikkei (Japanese American) soldiers who served the United States.
The Memorial Day Service, hosted by the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC), has been continued since 1946. "Commemorating not only those KIA [killed in the action] but also those who served in the military," said Yuzo Tokita, the NVC commander in his welcoming speech.
Colleen Fukui-Sketchley, Mistress of Ceremony, introduced guests including Congressman Jim McDermott, Consul General Mitsunori Namba and State Representatives Sharon Tomiko Santos and Bob Hasegawa. Colors were presented by members of the Japanese Baptist Church's Scout Troop 53, Thunderbird District and the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple's Scout Troop 252. After the Pledge of Allegiance by the commander, Brandon Izutsu, one of the NVC scholarship recipients, sang the national anthem and the invocation was recited by NVC chaplain Rev. Kerry Kaino.
Following the meditation by Buddhist and Christian ministers, Mike Gregoire, First Gentleman of the State of Washington, gave the keynote address for this year's service. Gregoire, who was drafted and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the army during the Vietnam War, honored all soldiers and veterans who served since the founding of the country, and paid tribute to Nisei veterans who died after last year's service.
Gregoire mentioned that the Gallup Poll showed that only 28% of Americans knew the true meaning of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, and it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the nation's service, and said, "All those who fought for freedomcespecially, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service (MIS), they are American heroes. Their efforts helped to preserve freedom for people everywhere."
Kimi Nakamura and Janice Nagaki, representing the Gold Star Ned Nakamura family, laid a wreath before the Nisei War Memorial Monument. Consul General Namba and Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Seattle Chapter President Dawn Rego were among the guests who laid floral wreaths at the base of the granite monument, upon which are inscribed the names of 64 Washington state fallen Nikkei. Shelly and Jason Yada played Taps-in tribute to the fallen heroes.
Kimitomo Muromoto, 85-year-old veteran, always comes to the Memorial Day service since the beginning 62 years ago. "I feel very honored to be here and especially I honored my companions who gave their lives," said Muromoto who also served in Italy and France during World War II.
Following the Lake View ceremony, some members of the NVC went to Evergreen- Washelli to participate in a Memorial Day program. The NVC color guard marched with its 442nd and MIS flags, in tribute to fellow soldiers buried at the site.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
Erina Tami Aoyama crowned 2008 Japanese community queen
By Shihou Sasaki
The North American Post
(L to R) Erina Tami Aoyama, Amber Renee Minato Mines, and Michaela Satomi Kusumi
Photo by Shihou Sasaki
 | Raised by parents of Japanese descent, learning language through the local schools and even in Japan, Erina Tami Aoyama has inherited the eastern cultural aspect. She also has learned a western-music instrument, the flute, for the last 10 years and become a top state flutist in high school.
With a mixture of eastern and western cultural aspects, Aoyama found the value of her heritage and cultural background as well as community service where she grew up.
Aoyama was crowned this year's Greater Seattle Japanese Community and Cherry Blossom Queen. She won $6,700 in scholarships including $5,000 from Kawabe Foundation and $1,500 from Motoda Foundation and other prizes.
"It's really exciting and I am so honored to receive this," Aoyama said.
Born in Seattle to Japanese father Masaru and Sansei (third generation Japanese American) Lori, Aoyama went to Seattle Japanese Language School until her middle school age. She was a member of the Roosevelt High Orchestra and Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra as a flutist. She placed second in the state competition in 2006.
After graduating from Roosevelt High School, she attended Waseda University in Tokyo for one year studying Japanese language and culture. Sharing her experience of the mixed-Japanese background with the community was a motivation for this contest, she said.
Of her stay in Japan, "I come to realize how much I connect with and value my Japanese ancestry," she said.
Judged by Tanya Jimale of JTS Manage Services, Lawrence Matsuda, a former Seattle University professor and currently a school consultant, Douglas S. Palmer, Jr. of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson and Barbara Mizoguchi of the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington, the contestants competed through education, community services, interview skills, kimono, talent and evening gown division. With the Seattle Japanese Community Queen Committee's criteria, judging was based on the personality, intelligence, speaking ability and poise of each contestant.
Following Aoyama, Michaela Satomi Kusumi was named First Princess winning a $4,700 scholarship, and Amber Renee Minato Mines was awarded Miss Tomodachi with total of $3,800 scholarship. Aoyama won the Talent Award and Sakura Spirit Award. Kusumi won the Community Service Award.
2008 Japanese Community Queen Erina Aoyama plays the flute in the talent competition last Saturday
Photo by Shihou Sasaki
 | Through the year, they will represent the Seattle Japanese and Japanese American community in Honolulu, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The three court members will also volunteer for local events as well as community organizations including 10 hours of monthly work in Seattle Keiro or Nikkei Manor this fall.
Aoyama will participate in the 2008 Seafair Scholarship for Women on July 26 and the annual Kobe Festival in Kobe, a Seattle sister city.
"I'm excited to be more involved with the community in Seattle, and the Japanese community in Seattle," Aoyama said, "and to learn about other Japanese American communities and our sister cities. I'm excited to take on this challenge."
Attending the Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival last month and the "Long Journey Home" ceremony at the University of Washington a week ago, the three queens have already started serving at the local events.
Mines, a 20-year-old Western Washington University student, has a great uncle, George Gojio, who received an honorary degree award as a 1941-42 University of Washington student whose college life was interrupted because of World War II.
As the youngest contestant, Kusumi, 18, had a challenging week. She injured her knee during the Tae Kwon Do practice for her talent competition last Wednesday. Instead of the performing martial arts, she decided to dance Japanese Buyo that she began in childhood.
This year, the Japanese queen pageant marked the 49th anniversary. Queens Committee president Terry Nakano said he may plan to invite former queens to cerebrate the milestone next year.
He said that the program gives court members an opportunity to understand more about the Nikkei (Japanese American) community and responsibility as mentors for future courts. Realizing both Japanese and American values are very important for the queens' court every year, he added.
"Although we are Americans, if you have a Japanese name in your first name or last name, I think that you have two cultures right there," Nakano said. "In your face, in your name, someplace about yourself, there are two cultures, and I think you should know something about both cultures."
Photo Gallery
(click photos to enlarge
Photos by Shihou Sasaki
Seattle University Japanese Student Association Holds Spring Bon Odori
By Travis Suzaka
The North American Post
Photo by Travis Suzaka
 | On May 23rd, Seattle University's Japanese Student Association held a Bon Odori, which can be ranslated into "A Gathering of Joy." The Bon festival is a traditional Japanese Buddhist event where family members dance in joyous memory of their ancestors at evening gatherings all throughout Japan during the summer months. This annual tradition was brought west and established in Hawaii and the mainland U.S. with Issei immigrants. Several generations later, the Bon Odori is still held annually throughout the country, and is still a cultural treasure of newer Japanese American generations. Kim Woo, an officer of the Japanese Student Association and Hawaii Club at Seattle University, explained how many members from the Japanese Student Association are from Hawaii and wanted to hold a Bon Odori with fellow JSA and Hawaii Club friends before they leave to go home for the summer.
Surrounding the center fountain in the Quad at Seattle University, a string of Japanese lanterns lined the ring of dancers that included a combination of students, community members, and people passing by. The dances were taught and led by a couple of groups from the Seattle Japanese American community. Dozens stood in the lines of food and game booths that lined the sides of the festival area. Fresh Andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), commonly sold at Bon Odori festivals in Hawaii, was a hit for the watchers standing in the sprinkling rain of the spring afternoon.
Back to Community News
|
|
