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NEED A HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA? “A TRADITION OF HONOR” NOW ON DVD

Unique Gift Idea Tells Emotional Story of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service

Torrance, Calif. (November 26, 2003) - As the holiday shopping rush begins and the search for that one-of-a-kind gift causes hair to fall out, do not fear; the Go For Broke Educational Foundation can help. Originally sold on VHS only, now the widescreen DVD edition of “A Tradition of Honor” has arrived in time for the holidays, complete with interactive features. The film, produced by the Go For Broke Educational Foundation, is available for purchase online on its Web site, www.GoForBroke.org.

The 82-minute documentary, “A Tradition of Honor,” is a thrilling, heart-wrenching account about the valiant Japanese American soldiers who served in World War II. Not sold in stores, this unique gift has been publicly previewed only once in Los Angeles, Honolulu, Sacramento and was screened at the Maui Film Festival. The film reveals the heroics and compelling accounts of the men who risked their lives at a time when America questioned their own loyalty and incarcerated their families.

For many Americans, the story of the Japanese American heroes of World War II remains largely unknown. “A Tradition of Honor” chronicles their history, and brings to light a story that people from all walks of life can appreciate. “A Tradition of Honor” recounts the courageous actions of the 442nd RCT, including the 100th Battalion, which together became the most decorated unit in American military history for its high volume of casualties and length of service. It also highlights the enormous efforts put forth by the Military Intelligence Service, who are credited with shortening the war in the Pacific by several years.

“A Tradition of Honor” reveals the story of a generation of Americans whose personal sacrifice and triumph over racial prejudice will forever redefine what it means to be an American. A priceless story about the Japanese American heroes of World War II, it is the perfect addition to a friend or loved one’s DVD collection.

In addition, the film utilizes 40-plus veteran interviews for the Educational Foundation’s oral history archive, rare archival images from both sides of the battlefield, and exclusive footage from the Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House. In June 2000, President Clinton awarded the Medal of Honor to 22 Asian Americans, 20 of which were Japanese American WWII veterans. It took more than 50 years for these brave men to be justly recognized with the Army’s highest honor for their extreme bravery.

Shoppers can simply purchase the DVD or VHS copies online at the Educational Foundation’s Web site: www.GoForBroke.org with no long lines or hassles, making holiday shopping a breeze. The documentary is also available at the Educational Foundation’s office in Torrance for easy pick-up during office hours. The documentary is $18 for Educational Foundation members and $20 for non-members. For online orders shipped within the Continental U.S., please add $5 per item for shipping. Also please indicate if this is a gift order, which must be received by December 12 to arrive by Christmas. For Hawaii-bound orders, please call 310-222-5711 or email generalstore@goforbroke.org.

In addition to the documentary, ever-popular “More Veterans Favorites” cookbook that features 400 pages of unique, mouth-watering recipes and photos from veterans’ personal albums, is also available. The cookbook is $18 for members and $20 for non-members. When ordering online, please add $7 per item for shipping. Shipping and ordering guidelines are the same as above.

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 on the West Coast and the civil liberties issues raised by those events. Currently the Educational Foundation’s programs include An American Story Teacher Training Program, Hanashi Oral History Program, educational Web site, and select media projects, including the “A Tradition of Honor” documentary. For more information, go to www.GoForBroke.org.

In 1989 Japanese American World War II veterans established the 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation (the parent organization of the Go For Broke Educational 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 that served overseas during World War II. The Monument, which lists the names of 16,126 Nisei soldiers, is located in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles at Temple and Alameda streets.

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