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GO FOR BROKE MONUMENT 7TH ANNIVERSARY "HONORING OUR HEROES" BRINGS FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO WWII VETERANS

Event Featured Vice Admiral Robert Kihune (Ret) Who Spoke About His Respect For Japanese American Veterans - Highly Decorated Unit of Soldiers During WWII  

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 6, 2006) - On Saturday, June 3, the Go For Broke National Education Center hosted "Honoring Our Heroes" 7th Anniversary Go For Broke Monument Tribute. At the day's event an estimated 500 American World War II veterans of Japanese ancestry and their family members and friends gathered at the Go For Broke Monument to commemorate its inception seven years ago. This year's tribute featured Retired Vice Admiral Robert Kihune of Hawaii whose uncle served during World War II. Kihune spoke

Go For Broke National Education Center Chairman Bill H. Seki; Retired Vice Admiral Robert Kihune, keynote speaker; Go For Broke's Executive Director and President, Christine Sato-Yamazaki; and Go For Broke's Co-Chairman Manabi Hirasaki

about the significance of the Japanese American WWII veterans' service and how they were an inspiration for his generation to also serve in the military. Though Kihune's uncle, Kazuo Kihune, and other Japanese Americans were segregated and only able to serve in the Army, they served with the utmost pride and the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated unit for its size and length of service.

"The Go For Broke National Education Center is especially grateful to all the veterans, family members, friends and community members who supported the 'Honoring Our Heroes' tribute," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director and president, Go For Broke National Education Center. "As we celebrate the 7th year of the Go For Broke Monument, it is important to remember the significant legacy behind the Monument's birth – the veterans WWII story of sacrifice, honor, and duty – which must live on with future generations of Americans."

The Go For Broke Monument is a 40-foot-wide, nine-foot-high gleaming granite sphere engraved with the names of more than 16,130 Japanese American soldiers from the segregated units of WWII: 100th Infantry Division, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, and 232nd Combat Engineer Company, their officers and Nisei women who served in the U.S. military.

Retired Vice Admiral Robert Kihune, of Hawaii, addresses the 500 veterans, family and friends at the Go For Broke Monument's 7th Anniversary "Honoring Our Heroes" tribute in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo on June 3.

The 7th anniversary featured Mistress of Ceremonies, Tamlyn Tomita, an actor who played the role of Mary Takata in "Only the Brave" a new independent film on the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This year Go For Broke awarded its 2006 Go For Broke Award to Col. Young Oak Kim (posthumously), a highly decorated WWII and Korean War veteran who was the chairman emeritus of Go For Broke. Col Kim was one of the founders of the organization and was instrumental in building the Go For Broke Monument and also had the vision to establish Go For Broke to focus on educating the future on the veteran's legacy. Col Kim passed in late December 2005. This year, the organization presented the Go For Broke Visionary Award to Los Angeles Councilmember Jan Perry for her support and vision to see the Go For Broke National Education Center built adjacent to the Monument. Recently, with her assistance, Go For Broke received a 50-year land lease with the City of LA for a parcel of land behind the Monument.

Additionally, 1/185 th AR Support Detachment, SMR provided color guards and posted and retired the American Flag and colors. Keiko Kawashima, of the Grateful Crane Ensemble sang the National Anthem, and also performed "America the Beautiful" with Grateful Crane member, Scott Nagatani. Boy Scout Troop 442, who traveled from Bakersfield and was named in honor of the 442nd RCT, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rimban Norkaki Ito of Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Reverend Steve Langley of Gardena Valley Baptist Church provided the invocation.

Go For Broke National Education Center Board of Director Chip Mamiya presents the Go For Broke Award posthumously to Col. Young Oak Kim. Accepting the award is his niece, Dyanne McMath.

As customary each year, the Floral Tribute portion of the program featured representatives from the six units listed on the Go For Broke Monument, including: 100th Battalion – Henry Hayashi and granddaughter Paige Tanaka; 442nd RCT – Tets Asato and granddaughter Lia Tofukuji; MIS – Victor Abe and daughter Vicki Abe; 522nd FAB – Sam Kawanishi and son Stuart Kawanishi; 232nd – Irene Sueda (daughter of Min Sueda) and Kelley Nagano (granddaughter); and 1399th represented by Vice Admiral Kihune, nephew of Kazuo Kihune.  

"Honoring our Heroes" took place from 10 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3 and held at the Go For Broke Monument, located at Temple and Alameda streets in downtown Los Angeles' Little Tokyo district. The Go For Broke National Education Center teaches and preserves the history and legacy of American veterans of Japanese ancestry whose heroism and sacrifices during World War II triumphed over racism and intolerance. This American story focuses on the veteran's core values of honor, duty, patriotism, loyalty, and includes the forced evacuation and incarceration of Japanese Americans and civil liberties issues raised. Currently Go For Broke's programs include An American Story Teacher Training Program, Hanashi Oral History Program, www.GoForBroke.org educational website, and Resource Center at its Little Tokyo office.

In 1989 Japanese American World War II veterans established the 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation, now the Go For Broke National Education Center, to build the Go For Broke Monument. Today it is an eternal tribute to the heroics of the segregated Japanese American units: 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service (MIS), 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.

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