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You Can Win a Bronze Scale Model (Maquette) of the Monument!

Drawing to be held May 2011

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Single $10.00 Buy 6 $50.00 Buy 12 $100.00

Photos by Keith Sutter (composite with rock by Stewart Feldman)

Thank you for making our fundraiser a great success!

On June 24, 2010, the Sacramento, Florin and Placer County chapters of the Japanese American Citizens League sponsored the northern California premiere of a new documentary film, “Valor With Honor” at the State Theatre in downtown Auburn.

See Placer County WW II Roster

More event photos

(left to right) 442nd Veterans Frank Kageta, Norm  Kamada, Shig Yokote, and Geo Hamai sit with keynote speaker, JAVA President Bob Nakamoto

Placer County JACL Treasurer E. Ken Tokutomi speaking at the reception in Central Square, Auburn

Photos by Michael Kirby

More event photos

Filmmaker Burt Takeuchi, who introduced the film and answered questions from the audience, has worked on the documentary for over three years. He plans to release it later this year.

Featuring interviews of 35 members of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the film interspersed historic footage and included a re-enactment of the intense five day “Battle of the Lost Battalion” when the 442nd was able to save 230 soldiers of the 36th Texas Battalion caught behind enemy lines for over three weeks. Of the 1,200 soldiers of the 442nd sent in to this battle, over 800 were either wounded or killed. The 442nd, a unit made up of Americans of Japanese ancestry, is the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in U.S. military history.

At the reception in Central Square, Auburn, colorful group Placer Ume Taiko gave two traditional drum performances. Placer JACL member Bill Tsuji served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing Auburn City Council members Mike Holmes and Dr. Bill Kirby. Kirby welcomed the crowd of about 200 attendees, and Holmes spoke about Congressman McClintock’s support for the project, reading from a statement published in the Congressional Record.

The keynote speaker at the reception was Bob Nakamoto, President of the Japanese American Veterans Association, an advocacy group of volunteers  based in Washington, D.C. who fight for the rights of veterans. His comments emphasized the significance of the veterans who served in the 442nd, 100th Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service during World War II.

Stuart Kageta, son of 442nd veteran Frank Kageta, spoke about the recent passing of Al Nitta, a veteran of the 442nd, and introduced four local veterans of the 442nd who were present:  Frank Kageta, Shig Yokote, Norm  Kamada, and Geo Hamai.

E. Ken Tokutomi, Treasurer of Placer JACL chapter and leader of the monument effort, described the scope of the memorial and how a public-private partnership was formed to construct the impressive site. He recognized the steering committee and JACL board for their help in producing this event and appealed to all to help spread the word to potential donors.

Placer District Attorney-elect Scott Owens described the project and the determination of artist France Borka, a Placer County resident who served in Japan after World War II and worked through health challenges to design the monument. A bronze scale model, called a maquette, was introduced at the reception, as well as foundry owner Ronnie Frostad, who was present with her husband Kenneth.

The memorial site was dedicated in December 2009 by Placer County at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville. The JACL goal is to raise enough to complete the memorial and provide funding for educational materials to enhance the curriculum of schools in this region. The campaign has already attracted more than $75,000 in donations.

Special thanks to all our volunteers, event sponsors & restaurants:

Recent articles:

Auburn Journal - Gold and Bronze Tributes to Honor Area Japanese-American World War II Veterans

Pacific Citizen - Film Boosts ‘Lost Battalion’ Memorial Project

Nikkei West - Film Premiere Brings Fundraising Boost to JACL Project

Pacific Citizen - Placer County JACL to Hold Fundraiser:  Proceeds will go toward the building of a Nisei veterans memorial

Auburn Journal - Japanese American Soldier Statue Drive Battling Price Hike for Bronze

Auburn Journal - Editorical Cartoon

Auburn Journal - Tokutomi: "Let’s Memorialize Contributions of Japanese Americans"

Memorial to 442nd Dedicated December 16, 2009 in Placer County

Supervisors honor World War II heroes with a permanent memorial and dedicate "Go For Broke" Road at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville, California.

Congress Authorizes Construction Funds for "Go For Broke" National Education Center

CSU Grants Honorary Degrees to WWII Internees

Hundreds of students of Japanese ancestry who were removed from CSU campuses in 1941 - 1942 and forced to delay or abandon their college education while relocated in internment camps, will be granted California State University special honorary degrees.

"Hundreds of students were removed from colleges and universities, forced to delay or abandon their dreams based solely on their ancestry," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.

"The internment of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants during WWII represents the worst of a nation driven by fear and prejudice. By issuing honorary degrees, we hope to achieve a small right in the face of such grave wrongs."

JACL Honors Japanese American Veterans

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) paid tribute to the Japanese American veterans who served in the armed forces during World War II and the Korean War.

In the organization’s 3rd Annual Gala Awards Dinner held September 15 in Washington D.C., the JACL bestowed their appreciation to veterans of all conflicts and persons who are currently serving in the military, and particularly veterans of the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and others who served in regular units during World War II, and veterans of the Korean War.

JACL Honors Japanese American Veterans