Winner Gives Bronze Sculpture To 442nd Veteran
Auburn Attorney Mark A. Berg Honors Frank Kageta
A single ticket drawn by Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery at the Auburn Veterans Day Luncheon led to a dramatic and surprising gift. That ticket entitled the winner, Auburn Attorney Mark Berg, to a signed and numbered bronze miniature of the large bronze monument, “Rescue of the Lost Battalion,” that is being constructed to honor Americans of Japanese ancestry who served our country in World War II.
A few days later the chairman of the Placer County JACL Monument Project, E. Ken Tokutomi, delivered the sculpture to Mr. Berg at his office near the historic Auburn Courthouse. Berg was impressed by the artistry of the work, and he proudly placed the piece in a prominent position on his desk.
As the two men spoke about what the sculpture represented, Berg proposed a question. “Is there a veteran of the 442nd who lives nearby? I would really like to give this beautiful artwork to him and his family.”
Ken suggested Frank Kageta, one of the Placer County residents who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and who was recently honored with a Congressional Gold Medal in Washington DC. In the 1970s Frank helped lead the effort for formal redress of the injustice committed by our government when they rounded up Japanese American families in the western states and send them to internment camps. Frank and a small group of other local veterans of WW II were honored in December, 2009, at the dedication of the Placer County WW II Memorial site in Roseville. His son Stuart Kageta was also a speaker at the dedication.
On December 5, Berg and Tokutomi visited Frank at his home in Rocklin, where Mark presented the sculpture to him. Frank was emotional and humble, commenting that surely someone else deserved this more than he did. Tokutomi told him this would be a memento that Frank’s four children would hold dear, acknowledging Frank’s bravery in combat and his loyal service to America.
Designed by local artist France Borka, the monument represents a member of the helping a wounded soldier of the 36th Texas Division after a grueling battle that lasted many days. The 442nd, a unit made up of Japanese American soldiers, is the most decorated unit for its size in American military history. The full size bronze will be installed at the Memorial to WW II Era Americans of Japanese Ancestry that is being completed at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville. Northern California chapters of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) have been raising funds through donations and events to complete the sculpture and interpretive displays.
These bronze models (maquettes) are limited to no more than 36. This number recalls the 36th Texas Division, known as "The Lost Batallion" - who were rescued by the 442nd in a historic World War II battle in France, October 1944. The 442nd is the most decorated unit for its size in U.S. military history.
For a $2,500 donation (Benefactor Level) you will receive a beautiful display case featuring a print of a photo of President Harry Truman and Placer County Veteran Wilson Makabe (previously published in National Geographic, April 1986), two descriptive plaques, a unique numbered bronze commemorative medallion, and a certificate from Placer county Chapter JACL:
Project Status
The foam enlargement of the maquette is complete, and Ronnie Frostad, the foundry owner, has been detailing the sculpture in clay prior to preparing the molds for casting this 7' tall sculpture in bronze.
Three surviving veterans of the 442nd (photo on left: Frank Kageta, Shig Yokote, and Norman Kamada) recently visited the foundry to see the project in progress. Project Chairman E. Ken Tokutomi and Ronnie Frostad are in the lower photo with the three veterans.
Thank you for your support!
Fundraiser in Auburn Features Premiere of "Valor with Honor" Film
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.
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 $141,000 in donations.
Special thanks to all our volunteers, event sponsors & restaurants:
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.
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."
In this video, Chancellor Charles B. Reed invites the public to help identify individuals who qualify for the honorary degree by calling (562) 951-4723 or writing to nisei@calstate.edu.
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.
