Letter from Christine Sato Yamazaki
Chairperson
National Veterans Network
A coalition of Japanese American Veteran and Civic Organizations
www.nationalveteransnetwork.com
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
September 24, 2010
The US Congress has passed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th, 442nd and MIS.
Personnel in the Military Intelligence Service who qualify for the CGM are those who “intercepted radio transmissions, translated enemy documents, interrogated enemy prisoners of war, volunteered for reconnaissance and covert intelligence missions, and persuaded enemy combatants to surrender” while they served overseas or in the US during WW II.
All members and families of the 100, 442 and MIS and the Japanese American community are deeply grateful and humbled to receive the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow on an individual or group.
The National Veterans Network (NVN), an organization of 22 Japanese American veterans and civic organizations was organized to assist the US Congress as appropriate to organize a two‐day program in Washington, DC to celebrate this important event.
Congressional sources have informed us that priority for seating will be given to living 100, 442, and MIS veterans. NVN believes that widows or next of kin of Nisei killed in action or deceased veterans also should be recognized for priority seating.
We will strive to achieve that goal.
The date of the award ceremony will be announced by the Speaker of the House.
Because of the extensive preparatory work that must be done, e.g. the minting of the medal, we believe the award date will be in Summer or Fall of 2011.
Also, we have been advised that there is only one gold medal that will be presented to all three units.
Replicas of the medals will be available for sale at the time of the congressional ceremony.
The first step in this endeavor is to take a headcount of those in the following categories who are planning to come to Washington, DC for the two‐day award festivities.
Chairperson
National Veterans Network
A coalition of Japanese American Veteran and Civic Organizations
www.nationalveteransnetwork.com
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
September 24, 2010
The US Congress has passed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th, 442nd and MIS.
Personnel in the Military Intelligence Service who qualify for the CGM are those who “intercepted radio transmissions, translated enemy documents, interrogated enemy prisoners of war, volunteered for reconnaissance and covert intelligence missions, and persuaded enemy combatants to surrender” while they served overseas or in the US during WW II.
All members and families of the 100, 442 and MIS and the Japanese American community are deeply grateful and humbled to receive the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow on an individual or group.
The National Veterans Network (NVN), an organization of 22 Japanese American veterans and civic organizations was organized to assist the US Congress as appropriate to organize a two‐day program in Washington, DC to celebrate this important event.
Congressional sources have informed us that priority for seating will be given to living 100, 442, and MIS veterans. NVN believes that widows or next of kin of Nisei killed in action or deceased veterans also should be recognized for priority seating.
We will strive to achieve that goal.
The date of the award ceremony will be announced by the Speaker of the House.
Because of the extensive preparatory work that must be done, e.g. the minting of the medal, we believe the award date will be in Summer or Fall of 2011.
Also, we have been advised that there is only one gold medal that will be presented to all three units.
Replicas of the medals will be available for sale at the time of the congressional ceremony.
The first step in this endeavor is to take a headcount of those in the following categories who are planning to come to Washington, DC for the two‐day award festivities.
Would you please provide the following information as soon as possible to:
Metta Tanikawa
email: cgm.tanikawa@gmail.com
She is a member of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) but in this endeavor has volunteered to serve NVN. She will be the keeper of the master list.
Or, send to Terry Shima
415 Russell Ave, #1005
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Metta Tanikawa
email: cgm.tanikawa@gmail.com
She is a member of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) but in this endeavor has volunteered to serve NVN. She will be the keeper of the master list.
Or, send to Terry Shima
415 Russell Ave, #1005
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
-------------------------------------------------------------
I. If you are a 100, 442, Nisei who served in MIS veteran, complete this section:
Name _________________.
Plan to attend ______.
Plan to attend if transportation/lodging support provided _____
100th and 442nd veteran:
Battalion _______ Company_____ Date of Service ___________
MIS veteran.
Which MIS Language School attended___________ .
Which other US Army Language School attended___________.
Location served________
Date of Service ____________.
Postal Address________________________
________________________
Telephone: ___________________________
E‐Mail _______________________________
FAX ________________________________
Accompanied by (if yes)__________________
[Please provide names of all in your party. Needed for seating and to facilitate entry in US Capitol Building.]
II. If you are a widow or next of kin of 100, 442, MIS deceased member.
Plan to attend _________
Name of widow or next of kin of 100, 442, MIS: _________________.
Name of deceased 100, 442, MIS member ________________________
100th and 442nd veteran: Battalion _____ Company_____
Date of Service ___________
MIS veteran.
Which MIS Language School attended___________ .
Which other US Army Language School attended___________.
Location served________
Date of Service ____________.
Postal Address________________________
________________________
Telephone: ___________________________
E‐Mail _______________________________
FAX ________________________________
Accompanied by (if yes)__________________
[Please provide names of all in your party.]
2 comments:
Veteran Registry
NVN has set up a Veterans Registry on its web site in the "ceremony" section. (www.nationalveteransnetwork.com) The purpose of the registry is to determine the interest of veterans, next of kin and family members who wish to attend the Washington DC events. Thanks to outreach done by several NVN organizations, there has been a high volume of registrants. We continue to receive a steady flow of registrants each week.
As of November 10, 2010, the following numbers have registered.
113 Veterans
106 Next of Kin of veterans who were killed during the war or have passed on
917 Total people registered, majority of whom are family members. Also includes the "maybes"
The final decision on who attends (living veterans, next of kin, family etc) and how many can attend (based on venue) is determined by the Speaker of the House. The veterans registry was designed for planning purposes so that we can provide the Speaker with concrete numbers of those interested in attending the ceremony. It is our understanding that that all living veterans will be invited. NVN will share the registry numbers and interest level with the Speaker in hopes that others will be invited, however, the final decision will be made by the Speaker's office. While the ceremony attendance is unknown, please know that invitations to the memorial services and gala dinner will be extended to all parties so that we can collectively honor and commemorate this historic occasion.
Honor Flight
Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization who flies veterans to Washington DC to see "their" memorial, has agreed to partner with NVN for the Congressional Gold Medal event. Honor Flight is seeking to fly 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans to Washington DC for FREE by providing airfare and accommodations and an opportunity to see the National WWII Memorial. Living 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans who are registered with NVN will be considered by Honor Flight.
If you know of veterans who would be interested in attending the ceremony, we highly encourage you to register by going to NVN's web site - www.nationalveteransnetwork.com.
We need your help - please help us by spreading the word to everyone about the Congressional Gold Medal. We are seeking 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans who would be interested in attending next year's events. We know that many are not active with veterans or civil organizations and outreach beyond NVN will be necessary.
Please share the news, and encourage them to go to the NVN web site to register. Or please have them contact Metta Tanikawa (cgm.tanikawa@gmail.com), Terry Shima (ttshima@comcast.net) or Christine Sato-Yamazaki (Christine@csy-assoc.com)
For the dinner in Washinton DC, NVN may be limiting attendance to a Veteran or Next of Kin and an escort!
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