"Valor With Honor" - Successful Fundraiser in Auburn

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.

Photos by Michael Kirby, Stewart Feldman, and Keith Sutter.

Master of Ceremonies Bill Tsuji with artist France Borka		Auburn City Council member Dr. Bill Kirby welcomes the crowd of about 200 attendees to Auburn
Placer Ume Taiko
Auburn City Council member Mike Holmes reads a statement from the Congressional Record stating Congressman McClintock’s support for the project		Keynote speaker Bob Nakamoto, President of the Japanese American Veterans Association
Filmmaker Burt Takeuchi	E. Ken Tokutomi, Treasurer of Placer County JACL chapter and Chair of the project
Stuart Kageta, son of 442nd veteran Frank Kageta, introduces four local veterans of the 442nd. (left to right, below) Frank Kageta, Norm  Kamada, Shig Yokote, and Geo Hamai
Placer County District Attorney-elect Scott Owens describes the determination of the artist France Borka, who overcame serious health challenges to work on the sculpture. France had first introduced the 442nd and their motto "Go For Broke" to Scott during martial arts training when Scott was a teenager.		Foundry owner Ronnie Frostad with her husband Kenneth
A bronze scale model (maquette) was introduced at the reception Photos by Keith Sutter

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