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“A TRADITION OF HONOR” DOCUMENTARY
SET TO SCREEN MAY 28 AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Viewing of Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s
Documentary of Japanese American World War II Veteran’s
Experience to Coincide with National WWII Memorial Dedication
TORRANCE, Calif. (March 17, 2004) - These days
patriotism is hot on the mind of every American. Memorial Day
offers the public a chance to remember war heroes. In conjunction
with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial, the
Smithsonian Institution and Go For Broke Educational Foundation
will host a screening of “A Tradition of Honor.” This
82-minute documentary highlights the contributions of some of
the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history, the Japanese American
World War II veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental
Combat Team (RCT), and Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
“This is a powerful story that truly defines a significant
experience that many people do not know,” said Christine
Sato-Yamazaki, executive director and president of the Educational
Foundation. “It is an important part of American history
that should be shared with the public and especially our future
generations of citizens.”
“A Tradition of Honor” is an in-depth look at the
men of 100th/442nd/MIS and their service to the allied cause during
World War II. Showcasing the stories of the soldiers in their
own words, “A Tradition of Honor” humanizes a little-known
aspect of the most oft discussed conflict of the 20th century.
In poignant interviews, the men of the 100th/442nd/MIS discuss
their heroic actions in the face of relentless persecution at
home. The film demonstrates more than the usual “us against
them” attitude Americans commonly associate with the period
immediately following Pearl Harbor. For Japanese Americans, many
of whom were unconstitutionally detained in U.S. concentration
camps, the notion was more like “us against us against them.”
The 100th/442nd RCT is the most decorated unit in military history
for its size and length of service. The MIS is credited with saving
countless lives and shortening the war by several years. This
courageous group collectively was awarded 18,143 individual decorations,
including 9,486 Purple Hearts, and 21 Medals of Honor, all the
while fighting just to be considered what they were, American.
The screening is free to the public and will take place at the
Smithsonian’s Ripley Center Lecture Hall at 2 p.m. on Friday,
May 28. Seating is limited to 200 and is available on a first-come,
first-served basis. A panel discussion will follow and include
the film’s producers the Go For Broke Educational Foundation,
Craig Yahata, and David Yoneshige, as well as veteran representatives
from all three units.
Included among the event’s sponsors are the Japanese American
Veterans Association, Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans
Council and the Veterans History Project. For more information,
go to www.GoForBroke.org.
The Go For Broke Educational Foundation institutes educational
programs focused on the heroism and history of the Japanese American
soldiers of World War II, as well as the forced evacuation and
incarceration of Japanese Americans and civil liberties issues
raised by those events. Currently the Educational Foundation’s
programs include An American Story Teacher Training Program, Hanashi
Oral History Program, www.GoForBroke.org
educational Web site, and Resource Center.
In 1989 Japanese American World War II veterans established the
100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation to build the Go For Broke
Monument, which today is an eternal tribute to the heroics of
the segregated Japanese American units: 100th Infantry Battalion,
442nd Regimental Combat Team, MIS (Military Intelligence Service)
and the many other men and women who served overseas during World
War II. The Monument is located in the Little Tokyo district of
downtown Los Angeles at Temple and Alameda Streets.
