100 INfANTRY BATTALIUN VETERANS CLUB - University of Hawaii · 2011. 10. 18. · -OOXf doorin OllrapartmentbuiJding and roaches track parttime~lolani,.SO-.thisjsavet¥ convenient~~~A

1001" INfANTRY BATTALIUN VETERANS CLUB

FROM THE EDITORS PUKA Ray and Aki Nosaka

With this issue of the PPP comes the close of another year -how time does fly! This has been a very busy and eventful year, including the MOH celebration, for the club. The hi­lites are too numerous to mention in this small space, but we know that this has been a year that most of us will never forget. President Don Matsuda will be breathing a sigh of relief as he looks forward to "retiring" after having served as president for this year. Before we release the names of the new officers, (pleaSe read Conrad Kurahara's report which follows this) may we remind you that the slot for the editor still remains vacant. Surely someone out there has some ideas or comments to make and is willing to share them with us each month.. We would like to repeat something that we quoted in the July 1988 issue "Many times we say there is always tomorrow, but for some of us there may not be that tomorrow, and so if you have something to sayar do, do' it today! Use that special gift of time to embrace life and a peace of mind. AId and I have voiunteered to pitch in until someone· comes forward and says ''we've had enough of you so we'll take over".

The PPP Volunteers list for September 28 was not lost -" just temporarily mislaid-" and it is better late than -never to thank those who came out to collate:-Bernard Akamine, Otomatsu -. Aoki, Kunia Fujimoto, Tom Fujise, Ted and Tsuruye Hamasu, Saburo Hasegawa, Tokuichi Hayashi, Ed Ikuma, Isamu Inouye, Shigeru Inouye, Lawrence and Regina Kamiya, Robert Kapuniai, Gladys Kawakami,Arthur Komiyama, Don and Kimi Matsuda, Philip Matsuyama, Y. Mugitani, 10ichi Muramatsu, Mitsuo Nagaki, Ken Nakagawa, Tom Nishioka, Tom Nosse, Susumu Ota, Takeichi Onishi, Leo Sato, Masaharu Saito, Kazuto Shimizu, Hiromi Suehiro, Goro Sumida" Yukio Tanji, Denis and Joy Teraoka, Masa Toma, Rikio and Evelyn Tsuda, Shigeru Tsubota and Marie Yoneshige.

Mahalo nui to the following who turned out on October26 to prepare the November PPP for mailing Bernard Akamine, Otomatsu Aoki, Alfred Arakaki, Kunio Fujimoto, Tom Fujise, Saburo Hasegawa, Isamu Inouye, Lawrence & Regina Kamiya, Gladys Kawakami, Don & Kimi Matsuda, Nora Morihara, Y. Mugitani, Joichi Muramatsu, Saburo Nishime, Bessie Nakasone, Ray and AId Nosaka, Tom Nosse, Leo Sato, Robert Sato, Kazuto Shimizu, Martin Tohara, Marie Yoneshige, Kaoru and Sadako Yonezawa

SLATE OF NEW OFFICERS By Conrad Kurahara, Nominating Committee Chairman Before I disclose the officers of Club 100 for the year 2001, I want to take this opportunity to especially thank two members of my committee, Hajime Yamane

and AI Matsumoto, for their extraordinary efforts to help get next years officers. If I had tried to do it myself, I would not have succeeded. This affirms my belief that the collective mind is often better than the single mind. My appreciation to Aki Nosaka for her help.

The nominating committee is especially grateful to the following for their willingness to be the 200 1 Club 100 officers:

President: Stanley Akita 1st Vice President: Bert Turner

2nd Vice President Denis Teraoka Secretary-Treasurer: Hiromi Suehiro

This slate was approved by the Board of Directors at the November 17, 2000 meeting

NEWS

My mahalo to the following members of the nominating committee for their attendance at the committee meetings:

Vice-chairman: Hajime Yamane Recorder: Aki Nosaka AI Matsumoto TedHamasu Warren Iwai Saburo Nishime

Toshimi Sodetani Sakae Takahashi Richard Yamashina The chairman commends the nominating committee for improving upon the application form for new members. Toshimi Sodetani and Sakae Takahashi, helped the committee to accept the that the word "application" should be substituted for the word ''tracking'', and the date on which it is approved should be noted at the bottom of the form. When these change~ were brought ~p at the November Board of Directors' meeting, the Board not only agreed WIth and appreciated the information, but also decided that the membership and dues committee should go over the entire form because other changes may be needed. meeting, they were approved.

Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nishimura who made a $100.00 donation to the club in June. We sincerely apologize that it was not acknowledged in the PPP at that time.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT by Don Matsuda

We have a new secretary, Amanda DePonte. A graduate of St. Joseph High School, and HPU, she attended UH Hilo and UH Manoa, and is highly recommended by her former employers. She lives just

. -OOXf doorin OllrapartmentbuiJding and roaches track parttime~lolani,.SO-.thisjsavet¥ convenient~~~A place to work for her. I'm sure you'll like her. With the help of Aki Nozaka, Drusilla and Cecilee, she is gradually getting to know where everything is in our cramped office and computer data-base, folders and files. She is very capable friendly, a very nice local person, a Stevens from the big Island.

In October we represented the IOOth at the J\.1edal of Honor banquet at the Beverly Hilton. I met Hung Wai Ching, Young Oak Kim, Sam Fujikawa, Hank Yoshikawa, and Ben Tagami and other tOOth guys. Many of them had to leave early for the mini-reunion in Las Vegas. George Sakato, younger brother of Hank Sakato of Baker who passed away r1ecently, and Rudolph Davila spoke for the Honorees. The filet mignon was tender and the speeches very moving, especially the one by Davila. When he got back home from Washington DC after all the speeches and handshaking with the President and other big shots. "The garbage has to be taken OUtt Mr. Davila," said his housekeeper at the door. The lady did better than the LA TV broadcasters and newspapers, though. Inspite of all the cameras and reporters covering the event, all they had was a few seconds on TV and nothing, nothing at all in the newspapers. Well what do you expect from from tinsel town that makes war heroes Johm Wayne-Rambo types? .

We also represented the 100th at the DC Mlemorial dedication. Among all the VIP speakers, wounded 442nd veteran, Rudy Tokiwa. got the only standing ovation. I liked the speech by Cherry Tsutsumda even though I did give her a rough time dwing the controversy over the inscriptions on the memorial. She talked about aU the hardships and sacrifices of the Issei and Nisei women in the WWII camps. The center-piece sculpture of a golden crane entangled in barbed wire is impreesive. It is perched high above the rest of the large stone memorial that is built in a small area bordered by three very busy streets in a park near the Union Station. the national headquarters of the US Post Office, and the national Capital building. The imposiing sculpture is the work of Nina Akamu whose 'mother is from Kauai, and a Paul Matisse designed the elongated bell in another section of the memorial! Boy, are our kids from Hawaii doing great lately! Agbayani of the Mets; Case of AOL; Baraquio a Miss America, and above all, Akamu for eternity! The KIAs who died to set that golden crane free for eternal flight are inscribed on that memorial, .

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DONATIONS

MichaelDoi $50 to Pub Pub Parade

TedHamasu $100 to Scholarship fund , in memory ofHa1caru Taob

Isamu Inouye $50 to Club 100

Robert Katayama 550 to Sons and Daughtere

Florence Nishida $100 to Puka Puka Parade $100 to Sons and Daughters in memory of

Yosbubaru Nishida

Janet Otagaki

Vivian Saruwatarl

Yoneko Shimizu

Rural Chapter

Alan Takehara

Drusilla Tanaka

550 to Sons and Daughetersin memory of Tamotsu Shimizu $50 ito Sons and Daugheters n memory of Kenneth Saruwatari

$100 in memoriy of Kenneth Saruwatari

$600 to Sons and Daughters in memory of Tamotsu Shimizu

$20 to Scholarship Fund in memory of Beatrice Hip

$100 to Speakers Bureau of Club 100

$50 to Sons and Daughters

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS By JUDe Kurisu, Jean and Ten

Another Mini Reunion has come and gone with happy memories to carry home. Our Hospitality Room was a busy bee hive of activity with matsutalce from Tom and Gladys Tsuda; matsutake gohan cooked by Jean Tagami, assisted by Ted and Sadie Yoshiwara; Misturu Doi on the sashimi and Poki, no leftovers; many boxes of candy, cookie~ nuts, from Seicbi Hoasbi, and Hiroshi Shimazu; homemade peanut brittle. from Sam and Sara Terasaki; homemade senbei from Dave and Sbigeko Yoshimura; dried kaki from Ben and Mary Catherine Doi, and Hank and Elsie Hayashi; delicious seDbei cookies and tsukemono made by Chizu Obira and Chuckie Seki; inari sushi from Ruth ada; delicious chocolate cake from Hisa Miya. The was feast planned by Ben and Jean Tagami, and Sam and Ten Fujikawa. Thanks to Toke and Rae Yosbihashi for driving many crates of fruits to Las Vegas and for the donation of many rolls of mati sushi. Let us know of any ommissions; we'll make amends.

Sincere thanks for monetary donations to the Hospitality Room from Frank and Haru Nishimura, Theodore and Mary Matsushima. Ruth Oda, Jerry Okazaki, Mitzi and Mits Okazaki, Michael and Gene Doi, Rick and Evelyn Tsuda, Hershey and Terry Miyamura, David and Mary Yoshimura, Takeuchi and Dorothy Onishi, Yash Anzai. Henry Maeyama, Ted and Sadie Yoshiwara, Mrs. Yone Shimizu in memory ofTamotsu, Max Imai, Hiromi Suehiro. Akira Akimoto. and Walter Furukawa. An extremely generous last-minute donation came in from Lloyd and Michi Toda. Please let us know of any donations. Acknowleged or not, aU donations are greatly appreciated Thanks go to Mitsi Fuchigami's daughter, Cheryl, for the ball point pens in the goody bags. Margaret Ornoto, thank you for the delightful Santa napkin holders for the volunteers. We still remember the lovely favors you made for everyone for all the tables at our past reunion banquets. The beautiful and fragrant ginger leis for the volunteers were from Takako Umamoto.

Volunteers in the Hospitality Room were Ben and Mary Catherine Doi, Mitsi Fuchigami. Aileen Yoshino, Henry and Elsie Hayashi. Flo Kinoshita, Yew Masui, Ken and Hisa Miya, Terry Miyamura. Duke and Dorothy Ogawa, Ted and Chiz Ohira. Harumi Sasaki, ChucJde SeJd, Sadie Yosbiwara, June K~ Ken Muranasa, Toe Yoshino, Tome Tsuda., Tok Yoshihashi. Ben and Jean Tagami, Sam and

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Teri Fujikawa and Wayne Fujita, president pro--tem of the 100thl442nd Association. If there were other helpers unnamed here, know that your assistance was appreciated.

A bonus in the Hospitality Room, in addition to the karaoke singers, was the craft classes in the comer conducted by Chiz Ohira. We were happy to see 9S year old Tsuruyo Nakamura, mother of Margaret Ornoto, and 89 year old Shinayo Kato, mother of Jean Tagami. Besides wonderful impromptu renditions of songs by Doris Kimura and Mitsuru Doi, the ladies in the Hospitality Room were treated to the serenading of Walter Furukawa who sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

Our sit-down banquet in the Ohana Room was an enjoyable, informal one with Hank Yoshitake, our affable Me, and talented Kaui Mitsuda providing dinner music. Toe Yoshino, Ted Ohira and Mitsuru Doi were in charge of entertaining everyone with the ever welcome karaoke music. Renditions of songs by Walter Furukawa, Ooro Shimizu and Hiromi Suebiro were an added bonus. Honored guests were Shizuya Hayashi, Hung Wai Ching, Hershey and Teny Miyamura, and Mei and Emily Ozeki. publishers ofOhana Magazine in Las Vegas.

June Kurisu led the tours to Belz Outlet on the first day, to Mandalay, Luxor, and Excalibur Casinos on the second day, and to Blue Springs, an ond western town, on the third day. Attendance was very light.. We need a minimum of 20 passengers. Islanders, please give Kiyoshi and Ray your input and they can pass it on to Ben or Sam. Mainlanders can correspond with Ben or Sam. We'll go back to sign up sheets on the wall in the Hospitality Room.

The lOOth Slots Tournament had Flo Kinoshita coming in first, Marge Toma, second, and June Katayama, third on the first day. Betty and Kow Ito were the winners on the second day. When one slot machine needed to be filled on the second day, Teri Fujikawa was repeatedly asked to take the spot and finally relented. She won third place instead of the booby prize she's used to winning.

In case crimes were committed back in your hometowns, we will vouch that the following lOOth members and friends were in Las Vegas from October 22-26. From the mainland: Ben and Mary Catherine Doi, Michaelald Gene Doi,Mitsi Fuchi~ Aileen Yoshino, -Sam and Teri Fujikawa, Hrry Fukasawa, Noby Okamoto, Wayne Fujita, Henry and Elsie Hayashi, Kow and Betty Ito, James and Mary Katayama, Ruth Oda, Young O. and Hanh Kim, George and Florence Kinoshita, George and June Kurisu, Henry Maeyama, Yew Matsui, Ted and MaJy Matsusbima, Ken and Hisa Miya, Don and Setsuko Miyada, Jean Miyasato, Peggy Deveny, Elmer and Delores Gilchrist, Samuel and Sherry Richardson, Karl Sintler, Walter and Arita Pruett, Ken and Yoshiko Muranaga, Frank: and Haru Nishimura, Duke and Dorothy Ogawa, Ted and Chiz Ohira, Jerry Okazaki, Mitzi and Mits Okazaki, Charles and Bessie Okazaki., Bill and Margaret Omoto~ Tsuruyo Nakamura, Ted Sato, Kazoo and Tatsuko Sato, Harry and Harumi Sasaki, Chuckie Seki, Masi Seki, Bob and Yots Shigenaka, Tak and Hina Shigenaka, Ben and Jean Tagami, Joyce B~ Shinayo Kato, Warren Tamura, Sam and Sara Terasaki, Lloyd and Mich Toda, Paul Yasaki, Toke and Reiko Yoshihashi, Pauline Yoshihashi, Hank Yoshitake, Ted and Sadie Yoshiwara, Hershey and Terry Miyamura, Tom and Gladys Tsuda, George Tsuda, Isabel Mennick. From Hawaii: Kiyoshi and Alice Kami, Akira and Patsy Akimoto, Yoshio Amai, Robert and Nancy Arakaki, Hung Wai Ching, Mitsuru and Matsuko Doi, Wilfred Furushige, Matsue Furushima, Walter and Jane Furukawa, Shizuya Hayashi, Mimi Nakano, Seichi Hoashi, Richard Hosaka, Max Imai, Yoroku and Edith Ito, James Kawashima, Suzie Kininau, Dorothy Kikuchi, Stanley and Doris Kimura, Kenneth Mitsunaga, Geroge and Hisako Miyashiro, Cary Miyashiro, Earl Miyashiro, Takeichi and Lorraine Miyashiro, Fusako Murai, Sonsei and Elaine Nakamura, Charles and Ethel Nishimura, Takeuchi and Dorothy Onishi, Hiroshi Shimazu, Leighton (Goro) Shimizu, Hiromi Suehiro, Dorothy Tamashiro, Charles and Jean Tanaka, Mas and Marge Toma, Carl and Jane Tonaki, Shigeru and Mieko Tsubota, Rikio and Evelyn Tsuda, Tad and Takako Umamoto, Miyoko Hashimoto, Thomas and Frances Wozumi. This list relects quite a few changes from the one printed before the reunion

We on the mainland who have come to know Drusilla Tanaka, executive secretary of the mother club, through her devoted work on behalf of the lOOth family at conventions in Honolulu, in Las Vegas, and at Fort Benning, Georgia dedication celebration want to give her a collective warm hug. She has recently resigned to go to a new position. She will truly be missed. Only a person of her youth and committment to the looth Veterans would and could work so tirelessly. She will never be forgotten and we wish her the best in her new position.

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· . We have Herny and Elsie . Hayashi ·to thank for the beautiful flowers that always decorate the lOOtb/442nd/MIS wwn Monument in downtown Los Angeles. Please take note when you visit next time.

Baker Chapter News by Bernard Akamine

Through the efforts of Mrs. Yoneko Shimizu. widow of Tamotsu Shimizu (A/Rural), we were able to obtain charcoal-like senko bricks from Waipahu Hongwanji. These "bricks" are to be used in the oshoko dish for the memorial service, instead of the usual senko sticks that bum up too quickly. Thank you, Yoneko.

Our tum at Punchbowl was on the 11th of November, which was Veterans'Day. We had a very eventful day. We met a retired doctor from Iowa who is a VFW member. He comes here for the winter and decided to volunteer at Punchbowl on Sundays. His name is Jerry Barnett and said he served in the 34th Division National Guard in Iowa after the war. My wife was my partner that day. While famiJiarizing herself with the grave-site locater, she punched in her maiden name and to her smprise, it appeared.

Veterans' Favorites, a cook book published by the Go For Broke Educational Foundation, has a picture of Rikio Tsuda, James Inafuku and Richard "China" Yamashina. They sure were handsome. The picture is the start of the "Bread and Preserves" section, but no more bread pudding recipe.

We have four grandsons and three grand-daughters, ranging in age from 28 to II. We have been waiting for great-grandchildren for a long time, bUt so far all we have are great-grand-dogs.

Remember the Baker Chapter Christmas Party on Pecember 10. Come early. Robert Aoki's menu of Barbecued Chicken, Baked Ham, Miso Buttertish, Shrimp with noodles and greens. Ladies, your pupu and desserts are always welcome. Bring a gift valued at not more than 510 for children. Write the child's name large enough so Santa can read it with his weak eyes. Sons and daughters, we will rely on you for help with the clean ·up. Merchandise donations for door prizes are most welcome. Also, help is needed in the morning to help Robert with the food prep.

The activities for children will begin at 4 p.m. Parking is at the Ala Wai School parking lot.

So that there is enough food for everyone, please call in your reservations by December 3 to Robert Aoki at 488-3395. 'Pay at the door.

Family portraits will be taken (one per Club 100 veteran family) beginning at 4 p.m. Please sign up for a time slot by calling Bernard Akamine at *82 .. 734-8738. For separate groupings, there will be a charge of$1.00 for each group.

The Fun 'N Games committee would like donations of Christmas wrapping paper. It can be old, it can be partially cut oft: doesn't matter. Please drop off whatever you have at the Clubhouse. Thank you!

CHARLIE CHAPTER NEWS by Warren Iwai

MEETING: Sixteen (16) members were present at the meeting on November 20. President, Kazuto Shimizu gave his report on the activities of the last board of directors meeting. We met our new Club 100 secretary. Mrs. Amanda De Ponte. She will be answering your telephone calls. Our meeting ended with our ono bento from Times Supermarket.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Flyers on the party was passed out to those present at the meeting. Others will be mailed shortly. As a reminder the party is at our Clubhouse on Sunday, December 17 from 4:30 pm. pARKING: Park your cars at the Ala Wai School. Please send your replies as s60n as possible. Not later than December 6th. Come to the party and give your Christmas greetings personally.

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MEMBERSIDP: In July the club niailed -:mth ~ the Puka Puka Parade -a form headed "Registry of Prospective Members and Associated Members". This form was intended for the memberS or his surviving spouse to provide information of their family so that when his descendants file for membership in the club the applications can be easily reviewed and approved. However, the club has received only about 50 of these completed forms so I am urging all members or his surviving spouse to rdl this form and sent it to the club as soon as possible. Printing of the membership application was delayed but it should be ready by the new year.

Colonel Jason Kamiya, son of Lawrence and Regina Kamiya, will receive his star as brigadier general on December 11, 2000 at the Pentagon. Col. Kamiya is presently on the staff of General Eric Shinseki. Congratulations, Jasonl We are all p'roud of you. Also Congratulations to Papa and Mama Kamiya.

Bob Sato of Mill creek, W A, who visited us in September had to undergo triple by-pass heart surgery on October 18, 2000. He came through okay and was home on October 23rd. Bob, I am happy to hear you are okay but slow down and take it easy.

NEXT MEETING: Monday, December 11, 2000 (2nd Monday) 10:ooam at the Clubhouse. Lunch will be served.

Now here is our Las Vegas reporter, Hiromi Suehiro, reporting on the mini-reunion in October.

"The annual mini-reunion is sponsored by the L.A Club 100 and they take their responsibility as hosts seriously. They bust their okoles a week before to prepare the hospitality room. It is no small chore to lug dozens and dozens boxes of fruits from L.A. and haul it up to the hospitality room, year after year, and they do it so cheerfully. Sam Fujikawa, President of the 100th, 442nd, and MIS Club told me everyone looks forward to exchanging hellos with us and consider us special. I dare not speculate whether we would have done the same for them if the reunion were held in our back yard.

The hospitality and generosity of our mainland friends are well known to all who have attended the annual mini-reunion in Las Vegas. But this year they out did themselves. Thirty-one strong, including tour conductor, Kiyoshi Kami and his wife, Alice, checked in at the California Hotel after mid-night Monday moming. We were all dead tired and ready for a hot shower and bed, but we were told to go up to room 1704 where Ben Tagami and his crew were waiting for us in the hospitality room and welcomed us with smiles that would have melted the heart of the devil. Food and fruits were spread out on the table, beer was iced in the bathrub. and for the discriminating, they even had wines and liquors.

Who are these special people that waited up for us even at the ungodly hour? Remember their names. The leader of the crew is Ben Tagami. The others are his wife Jean, Sam and Teri Fujikawa, Dan and Mary Catherine Do~ Ted and Chizu Ohira, Ken and Hisa Miya, Henry and Elsie Hayas~ George and June Kurisu, Tom and Gladys Tsuda, Ted and Sadie Y oshiwara, Mits Fushigami, Dottie Ogawa, Florence Kinoshita, Harry Fukasawa, Seki, Chuckie, Yeiki Matsu~ and the ever genial Toe Yoshino.

I don't know what I did wrong. My salad had no dressing. My steak was 100010 well done. Other than that the banquet was great. Hank Yoshitake again did a masterful job ofMC-ing the program. Hank is one of the few who can tell an off-colored joke and not make it sound offensive to the ladies. Telling a joke is an art only the few can master.

The entertainment portion was the kuleana of Toe Yoshino who did a great job. "Ted Ohira sang his favorite "Osaka Shigure". oUr own Mits Doi from Kauai sang the must sing Lili Marlene and ended up singing "Yuyake Koyake". Every time I hear him sing this song it brings back childhood memories.

Goro Sumida joined Toe, Ted, and Mits and sang Kitajima Saburo's biggest hit. It is a difficult song to sing but the foursome did real well. Toe sang a few solos and this guy can sing.

Ken Mitsunaga of Dog Chapter told Toe that I was a good singer so when Yoshio Anzai and I went up to the hospitality room for some beer, Toetold me that he was going to call me to sing, so I better not refuse. I know I can't sing if my life depended on it but after what Ben and his wonderful crew did for us I thOUght I better be a good sport and went up on the stage. After we came back to Hawaii, Goro told everybody that when I was on the stage he took out his "chikonkitl and cranked it up so I would regain my voice. Maybe that was the reason I was able to finish my song. I was a bust but at least I didn't ~uit. Afterwards, a few ladies came up to me to tell me how much they appreciated my effort to

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entertain them and for bting a good sport. I totd theuf.I will sing for them again next Oct.obeT; ~ut I don't think my wife is going to let me. What I really want to do if I ~o go up to the stage IS to SlOg a duet with Goro. I will sing bass and he will sing the soprano.

Charley was well represented, headed by Chicken and Loraine Miyashiro, Oscar a~d Hisako M!ya.shiro and their two sons Cary and Earl, Tad and Takako Umamoto, Yoroku and Edith Ito. Takelchl and Dorothy Onishi, Stan and Doris Kimura, S'eiichi Hoashi from Kauai, Yoshio Anzai and ~iromi Suehiro and Sam Fujikawa, William Omoto, and Warren Tamura from the mainland. The wmners! Who else but the Onishi's. Yoroku and Edith came out ahead. Chicken as usual spent all his time at the black jack table.

Let me say a few words about my friend Goro. This guy was born with a radio in his mouth. This guy just can't stop talking. One morning when I went up to· the hospitality room, Ben Tagami was waiting for me, and when he spotted me he pointed at Goro and said that guy has been talking non-stop since he came up an hour ago so stop him, but it is an impossible endeavor. GORO HAS A HEART OF GOLD. He is very generous with his time-not money. If you want help mowing your lawn, call him. If you want the mangoes picked from your tree, call him, but it is going to cost you at least two bags. His favorite Japanese maxim is "Kannin Wa Takara," translated it means to forgive is divine. He likes to show otT by quoting other maxims to impress us. but I tell him he went to a second class Japanese school. The Chuo Gakuin.

I went to the Harvard of Japanese School, The Hongwanji. I didn't want to go but my parents forced me, so on the first day of school when they passed out the text books I threw them away in the trash can. I went to school two years without text books so I ended up dead last in the whole school. But I'm smarter than Goro @I*I@. I call him II Mokujyu. " His pet name for me is "Mimi-zo."

Adios until January next year.

DOG CHAPTER NEWS by Helen Nikaido

Dog Chapter Christmas party will be held on December 3rd at the clubhouse from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saburo Nishime. Ken Mitsunaga and Helen Nikaido must have contacted you by now.

Rhoda Kawamata and Sue Kondo were on a trip for three weeks which included visiting Tokyo and Niigata and also a jaunt to Korea.

Saw Chizu Teshima, Mako and Lillian Takiguchi of Kauai. Fred and Helen Yamashige of Maui at "Matsu's" funeral. The ladies haven't changed, but the guys-well, anyway, it was good to see you all.

On October 5th, we left Honolulu via Japan Airlines At 59 at 9:40 a.m. for Chitose airport. Hokkaido. Mter completing government procedures, we were met by faithful ITB guide Rudy Yamashita, then we proceeded by motor coach to Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido.

In Sapporo we went on a night tour with Chuo Bus Company and socialized with "native tourists." The tour included dinner and a visit by ropeway to Mt Moiwa. It was scary riding the ropeway ski-lift in the dark. The night lights were just beautiful. We also enjoyed the fireworks.

In Furano, which is in Central Hokkaido, we visited a dairy farm to take on a "butter-making" challenge. We were divided into two groups, one making butter and the other making ice cream. "Pro." "China," Kazuto,Lynn and I made the ice cream. "Opu," Mildred, Alex, Taeko, Nancy and, Julia were in the group making butter. Butter making looked like hard work as they were shaking the bottle to separate the cream and liquid. For the ice cream, we just added the measured ingredients and the machine did the work. We got to make cones. too. It was fun. and we got to.eat our ice cream, too. I put blueberry preserves on mine; "China" put blueberry and strawberry preserves on his and said it tasted better, even though the ice cream was from the same batch. It was so good, and I didn't want to waste it. so I ate it all-good thing I didn't get diarrhea.

We visited Rokugo-no-Mori which is the locale for the well known TV series "Kita-no-Kuni-Kara." After seeing the house of logs that Goro built where he raised his two young children. Jun and Hotaro, I wondered how they managed to survive. It was so primitive-no running water. no stove, no electricity-­especially during the cold winter.

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In Ikeda we went to a steak restaurant where they servecJ a whole cow. The beef tongue and tail were prepared in a sauce which was so delicious and tender, but the filet mignon and sirloin steak were dry.

In Hakodate, ·'Opu" took us to a sushi bar for dinner. Kazuto doesn't like raw things so he ordered grilled or broiled salmon and butterfish. Lynn likes sushi but like a good wife, she ordered the same as he. When their order came, Kazuto looked at the big portion and said it was too big. But do you know, he ate the whole thing plus the skin from Lynn's fish! The "mama" of the restaurant even went next door to borrow white rice because she had only sushi rice. The rest of us enjoyed our various kinds of sushi.

We left Hakodate by JR express train for Aomori via the Seikan Tunnel. The length of the tunnel is about 33 112 miles, of which 14 1/2 miles are under the bottom of the Tsugaru Straits. The tunnel is about 7~ feet below sea level and 330 feet below the bofLtom of the sea. We got off the train to walk through and learn about this magnificently engineered tunnel. It was awesome and amazing. They even have a play area for the children while the parents tour the tunnel.

We boarded another train to continue to Aomori. The ride along the coastline to Miyako was enjoyable and beautiful with the various rock formations carved by the waves over the centuries. We enjoyed the ride on the sightseeing boat along the coastline. The seagulls would follow the boat waiting for bread. They are so cute, smart and fast.

We visited the Ryusendo caves which are the largest stalacite caves in Japan. The length of the cave is presently known to be over 2500 meters; however it is estimated to actually be over 5000 meters and is still being explored.

We had two days in Tokyo to go to Tsukiji, Ginza and other places. One day Lynn, Kazuto, "China" and I went to Mitsukoshi's 8th floor where they were having a sale. This fellow was giving a "demo" on shoe polish. He insisted on shining our shoes, so all four of us had a shine. He first put the foam, then the spray with a shine. Boy, the shoes looked like new. You can buy two cans for the price of one. I got hooked. I haven't used it yet, Anyone fora shine?

We had 11 people on the tour: "Opu" (Kazuo) and Mildred Hiranaka, Alex and Taeko Fujise, Kazuto and Lynn Shimizu, "Pro" (Takayuki) Tanaka, "China" (Richard) Yamashina, Nancy Nakamura, Julia Nagao and Helen Nikaido.

To "Opu," thank you very much for taking good care of us; we had a most enjoyable and wonderful trip.

'LEST WE FORGET'

THE PEONS OF THE ONE PUKA PUKA (Conclusion) by Saburo Nishime

It was snowing very heavily when we all pulled out from the Vosges and headed south. These military vehicles did not have automatic windshield wipers which we take for granted now. Did you ever try working a hand operated windshield wiper with one hand while trying to drive with the other hand? It's not that bad if you have an assistant at your side.

Since we were moving so~ we soon got out of the snowy area Eventually the l00th Battalion came to the town of Menton, France, located on the French-Italian border. Dog Company came to occupy a small hotel-like building located near the center of Menton. Though the Germans were nearby on the Italian side of the border, they never shelled the town area, but occasionally shelled the road leading into town and other coastal areas near by.

Our troops manned outposts along the Maritime Alps and came in from rotation to bathe, relax and for pleasure. Since Menton was almost vacant of civilians, the nearest town where some pleasure could be had was the town of Brussoleu located some miles away. To get there, the vehicles had to pass through the Principality of Monaco, which was a neutral state. We were authorized to go through Monaco to get to Brussoleu, but not to stop in Monaco for any reason. The left side of the street was Brussoleu, and the other side was Monaco, which was off limit to us. There were no guards or fences, so any minor violation of the agreement went without notice. Transportation by military truck was available every night, and this "operation" was known as the "Battle ofBrussoleu."

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One day I was told to pick up the mail orderly and go to Nice to pick up the mail for the 100th Battalion The mail clerk brought along a French woman worker who wanted a ride into Nice. Bus service was very limited and did not come all the way into Menton. It just happened that on this ~y the Germans were shelling pretty heavily near our rest center. We had to pass through the area bemg shelled, and I figured we could do that by going in between the shellings. As I approached the area being shelled, the engine of our jeep conked out exactly in the area where there was the heaviest shelling. I couldn't get the engine started The mail orderly got off the jeep and went over to the rest center to call for a mechanic. Our passenger, the French woman, followed me into a small building nearby where we stayed on the opposite side from where the shells were coming. When the shelling stopped, Matsushita, our chief mechanic came. What he found was that the basin where the gasoline is pwnped before feeding into the carburetor, was full of water .. Matsushita told me firmly that it was the driver's responsibility to check and drain any accumulated water. My excuse was that I did not finish the driver's training course, and had not been properly instructed. Our platoon vehicle NCO told me about taking a slightly oiled cloth and wiping the jeep's body and engine. and it would always make a neat impression for inspections; but he never taught me that one of the driver's duties was to first drain the accumulated water from the basin before starting the jeep.

The mail orderly, after the war, was working for the Post Office, and I came across him one day while he was walking and delivering mail. I don't know if he recognized me as the jeep driver on that particular day. If he did, his thoughts might have been,"That was the s ••••• -•• -. who didn't know how to do a simple operator's job and exposed me unnecessarily to that artillery shelling."

On another occasion, I was told to pick up one of our haole lieutenants at the Cannes Officers Rest Center. When I got there, this particular officer told me he had a date, so could I wait for him until later that night. Having nothing else to do, I said, "Okay. t, Knowing that I had no money, the lieutenant gave me a 1000 france note. I decided to go see what the town of Cannes had to offer.

Well, eventually all good things had to come to an end, and the 442nd was called back to Italy. About this time, many of our NCOs qualified for rotation home, so Lt Yamamoto asked me to take charge of a section and promoted me to sergeant Now I had a little more money to spend.

On this last operation, our section was attached to Charlie Company and was in direct support of the attack on Georgia Hill. By this time I hardly recognized anybody in C Company. I remember seeing old timers like Lt. Hisanaga and Doc Kometani. who greeted me as "hi, old timer," while we were moving up. Initially, strong opposition came from the Germans in their well established bunkers on the top of Georgia Hill. Our command requested aircraft assistance to strafe the enemy bunkers. Several fighter planes came over and made strafing runs on the bunkers. In 1978, as a civilian employee in Japan, I came across an officer who said he was one of the pilots who made the strafing runs on Georgia Hill.

It was near the end of the war when we were near tile city of Genoa, Italy, and still attached to Charlie Company. We were just sitting around relaxing when the pin came off from the grenade of one of the riflemen. He had no chance to get rid of the grenade. It went off while still on his belt The shrapnel wounded a number of guys who were around him. As far as I can determine, he was the last one in the IOOth to be killed in action. Earlier, I also witnessed the hole in Joe Takata's helmet, which made him the fIrst 100th member to be killed in action.

At the end of the war in Europe, I finally returned home with the last rotation group. In 1948 I went overseas as a Department of the Airforce civilian worker and did not return to live in Hawaii until 1987. I missed out on the numerous activities and events that took place during those years. I now wander up to Punchbowl Cemetery and walk amongst the memorial members like Randall Ohta, Thomas Mekata, Chuiji Saito and Pat Tokushima. They all were young men in their twenties, and in our memories, they remain forever young. Now the likes of us fmd ourselves in the late 70s, 80s and some in our 90s. Whatever we might be thinking or considering this late in life, consolation can be derived from these passages taken from Crossing the Bar by Alfred Tennyson:

Sunset and evening star and one clear call for me! And may there be no moaniing of the bar when I put out to sea, .... Twilight and evening bell and after that the dark! .... I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have cross'd the bar.

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HEADQUARTERS CHAPTER NEWS by Edward Jkuma

This is a reminder to all Headquarters and Medic Chapter members of our Christmas party at 5:30 pm on December 16, at the Clubhouse. If you have not made your RSVP yet, please call Dorothy Yamashiro at 734-5122, Frances Okazaki at 732-2666, or Ed Ikuma at 732-6884 by December 2nd. Mark your calendar for this event. Parking is at the Ala Wai School. Special prizes and a talent show (I) are being arranged by Jean Sakoda and Company. Call Jan (Gary Uchidats daughter) at 737-ms for details.

Hawaii Chapter News By James Maeda

Motoyoshi Tanaka Hawaii Chapter president announced today we will be holding a surprise luncheon on Thursday, Jan 25, 2001. It will be at Nihon Restaurant on Lihiwai Street, over looking Hilo Bay from 11:30 a.m. It will be the New Years meeting welcoming Yr.2001and installation of new officers for the year. Widows of former l00th Inf. Dn veterans are welcome to the luncheon The cost of the lunch will be special for the day, Club member and spouse $10.00 and widow alone $5.00. Come early and visit the beautiful Lilliokolani Park It is said that, "the new Lilliokolani Park is the legacy of outgoing Major Stephen Yamashiro"

Your team captain will call you for your reservation Mrs, Iha of B company the Hilo ladies are still waiting for the okare receipe.

AlA VETERANS CHRISTMAS PARTY: This year's Christmas get together will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 11:00 am. to 2:00 p.m at the AlA Veterans Memorial Hall. The Sons" Daughter of AJA Veterans will be in charge of food and refreshment. Individual cost of the affair: Adult regular $8.00, late fee $10.00 Children under 12, $4.00; late fee $5.00 Date line for payment Dec. 09. Make check payable to: Sons " Daughter of AlA Veterans and send to Barry Taniguchi, P. O. Box 4353, Hilo, Hi 96720. Bring a $10 grab for each mid you bring and write youngster's name so that Sl Nick can read the name, There will a silent auction and plenty of fun.

xxxxxxxxxxxx IT RAINS, IT RAINS, CONTINUING RAIN: About this time last year, our main concern was Y2K situation and what it would bring to us- good or bad. We had a very peacful welcoming of the New Year 2000, the new century. During the early part of 2000 mother nature was good to us. During the hurricane months June thru September, we were warned to be prepared for the hurricane mentally and physically. The State did not experience any excitement. However, during the of Wednesday, Nov. I, The rain came down by the buckets all night on the Big Island accompanied by thunder and lightning. Some areas ofHUo, Piihonua, Waiakea uka received 27 inches within 24 hrs. period. Kapapala Ranch in Kau received 36 inches (3 feet) ofrain in 24 hrs. People from Pahala to Naalehu,were locked in. they couldn'i get out to Hilo or to KoDa. M8D.y.- homes were flooded and heavily damaged by the .. abundance of water. Roads in many areas were damaged. Some streets are still closed including the highway from Hilo to Pahala, Kau. Trees and debris littered te roads, highways and parks. The Damages to private and public properties are estimated to top 30 million dollars.

We thank God that NO life was lost by the rain storm despite all of the property damages. This rain storm experience has taught us to respect the powers of WATER, FIRE AND WIND. Looking at the losses positively, we pray that some good will come from the damages and" losses from the rain stonn of Year 2000

(Special note): Morris and Lillian Kihara lost all of their anthurium plants and flowers living close to the Anelani stream Morris was in CO,C,IOOth Inf. Pancho Murashige &. wife, President Interpreters Club, retired HAL Airport station mgr.lost their home As we are about to close the YR.2000, "WE WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR , ,

MAUl CHAPTER by Tom Nalata

Maui Chapter's third luncheon meeting of the year was held at Wailuku's Tasty Crust Restaurant, on Tuesday, November 14, at 11 am. Chapter President Stanley Izumigawa conducted the meeting after lunch.

Goichi Shimanuki, Chainnan of the Annual KIA Memorial Service made his report. Of the 90 people in attendance, 25 were members.

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Next, Willie Goo made his report on last month's Family Night dinner. This was a catered affair so groups 3 and 4 did not have to cook.

Vice President Satoji Arisumi announced that next year's slate of Chapter officers will be the same, with the addition of Willie Goo as Director. The following members will be sworn in as Maui Chapter Officers at our December 15th Christmas Party: President, Stanley Izumigawa; Vice President, Satoji Arisumi; Secretary, Edward Nishihara; Treasurer, Tom Nagata; Auditor, Goichi Shimanuki; Director, Willie Goo.

As usual, our Sons and Daughters will be in charge of the Christmas Party.

Hatsuo Satoshige was hospitalized recently, but was able to attend our luncheon meeting on Tuesday. Torao Kawano and Johnny Miyagawa passed away during the past year.

See you all at our Christmas Party at 6 pm on Friday, December 15,2000, at the Kahului Maui County Parks Community Center.

KAUAICHAPTER by Tsugi Takemoto

As a group we have not moved an inch. A Nominating Committee composed of Kazu Senda, Mako Takiguchi and Tsugi Takemoto was appointed. The Committee met and put together a wonderful slate of officers. However, all the replies to these nominations were "no."

This reminded me of my days in the relocation camp. We had what were known as the "no-no" boys. I'm sure none of you would be in that group, but in trying to get more men to volunteer for the military service, a questionnaire was sent out. Among the questions asked was one that brought out a lot of "no's.n Many of these respondents were sent to Tule Lake. Others changed their minds and joined the 442nd. I remember my Dad being really angry at my brother for volunteering for the Army and ending up in the Field Artillery.

We are having a meeting Sunday. the 19th, so hopefully lots of members will show up.

Life moves on. Kauai had its Veterans Day Parade on November 4. and I missed it due to meetings in Honolulu. From Maxie Mukai, Susan (Iwai) Honjyo and Hazel Minami, I got the following infonnation. Showing for the l00th were Kungo Iwai, Muggsy Morikawa, Tom Arakaki, Larry Sakoda, Maxie Mukai, Jack Hada, ~onty Nishiie. Bunkichi Matsuyoshi and Mitsuru Doi. Susan wanted the sons and daughters of l00th Vets to participate, and she found Gayle Nishimoto, Barbara Boyne, Janice Ishimoto. Dennis Fujimoto. and Roy Shimamoto. Bunkichi had his truck decorated with the places where the l00th had been. Thanks to the Sons and Daughters, they earned the flag and the colors.

Mrs. Minami (daughter-in-law of our only Gold Star Mother, Mrs. Yoshi Minami) was feted with a cake, and she blew out the lone 12 inch candle to the applause of the audience. So that the newspaper don't get mixed up between the l00th and 442nd, the elder Mrs. Minami wants it known that her son is a KIA of the l00th. As the younger Mrs. Minami said, it is no use telling the Garden Island that because they don't understand. Let's set them straight! Dennis Fujimoto. see what you can do to straighten them out. You work there.

Wally and I went to see the elder Mrs. Minami today, and as Wally said, she looked really good for her age.

Our Christmas luncheon is being organized by Chizue Teshima, Mitsuko Miyazaki, Grace Morimoto, Kinue Mizuno and Sachie Yoshimoto. They will give us more particulars on Sunday, and I will remind the Secretary to send out the info. I won't quit yet.

Rural Chapter Chatter Ted M. Hamasu

We in Rural Chapter were saddened by the death of Beatrice Higa on 21 October 2000. We express our deepest sympathy to her loving husband Kenneth and all his relatives for the great loss. Her memorial service was held on 1 November 2000 at the Hosoi Mortuary and her inumment service was held on 2 November 2000 at the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Rest in peace. Bea.

Rural Chapter held its meeting at Zippy's restaurant in Wahiawa on 17 Nov. 2000 from 1 1:00AM with 9 members present. One of the items of discussion was the nomination of officers for the year 200 I.

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· . . .

Since the committee chairman was not able to attend it was postponed to a later date. Another was the Installation and New Years banquet at Dot's ofWabiawa on 21 JanUary 2001 from 1000 to 2:00PM. It was decided t;hat the Chapter would subsidize each person attending with a subsidy ofS5.00/person. So the cost will be $1O.00/person who are II years or older, and $5.00/person who are 3 to 10 years old. S&D and their children are cordially invited The wives of our fonner members are invited as our honored guests. So please come to our annual gathering.

After a short business meeting and the usual inaugural speech by the President elect, we will have some fun in door prizes and bingo games where everyone present will be a winner. The members who are paying their chapter and Club 100 dues on a yearly basis, don't forget your $6.00 chapter and $10.00 Club 100 dues. All donations will be welcomed; and ladies will you make those yummy desserts for the banquet again? If you have a calendar, mark January 21, 2001 as the Installation and New Years Banquet day at the Dots Drive Inn in Wahiawa. See you all there.

The 59th Anniversary Party for Club 100 will be held on 9 June 2001 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Hawaii Regent Hotel in Waikiki. The application forms will be coming out shortly in the ppp so keep your eyes pealed and make sure you attend the once a year anniversary party. We are in a planning stage and as the months goes by, more info will be forthcoming. See you all there.

Kay Kamishita spouse of Seiso Kamishita underwent a heart by-pass opemtion recently and is recuperating .nicely under the watchful eyes of her nurse Seiso. We all wish you a speedy recovery, Kay.

The perennial traveling couple, Ethel and Charles Nishimura visited the $$$$$1111 land Las Vegas again in October. According to Charlie, Ethel beat him to the draw. He moaned that he left most of what he took with him there and swore that he will get it back the next time. To top it, he said that the plane had 3 hours layover in SF and they reached Vegas at midnight. That cuts down the playing time to recoup the loss. Hard life Charlie, mo beta take it easy, eh, Paisan. •

We missed Walter Sekiya at today's chapter meeting so I asked Tanji and he said that Walter is having difficulty walking. We wish you a speedy recoveI)', Walter and take care. We also missed John Kihara and we were told that he spent some time at the VA Care Home at Tripier but is presently resting at home under his wife Akiko's nursing care. We all wish John a speedy recovery. Gambare, John.

One Pulm Puka and Warren Fencl Scholarships

Each year, as part of their mission, the Sons & Daughters of the 100th Infantry Battalion promote the legacy of Club 100 by administering the One Puka Puka and Warren Fencl Scholarship program. Club 100, provides the funds for the One Puka Puka scholarship and the Sons & Daughters provide the funds for the Warren Fencl scholarship. .

On November 11, 2000, the scholarship applications were sent to various high schools within the state of Hawaii. Enclosed with the applications, was a letter to the school's principal requesting that the administration publicize the scholarships to ensure that all graduating high school seniors are made aware that these scholarships are available. In addition, information on eligibility was also included in the scholarship application packet. Students interested in obtaining copies of these forms should see their school's post-high school counselor or principal.

Please note that the completed scholarship applications must be returned to the Sons & Daughters by March 15,2001.

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. CLUB,lOOMEMBEBSHIP.SIGN-UP FOR 8.ONS AND DAUGHTERS

In a few WeebtheMembetship Committee will be sending\out ~plication forms to have eligible members join us. The dues are $100 for'life membership or S10 per year." I would recommend your .' '. becoming a life member. I hope aU Sons and Daughters willjoin. Your fathers went to combat and fought . to prove.to America tba(We could be trusted despite the discrimination we bad to endure. Three hundred forty-five buddies (KIA) did not return alive. ..'

Now we hope the Sons and D&Ughters; as Club 100 members, will carry ontbis legacy. We sacrificed,. and now we leave it to you to see that fUture generations do Itot forgetthelOOth Veterans.

We all should work together as.a.~ to care for. and share with each.o'ther. Hawaiians say, "E PuPu. Ialhi." (We are one.) ..

In the sunset of ouTlives, we fathers are ~ni out," losing our physical and mental abilities. Don't let the tOOth Veterans be forgotten~

Let's go, Sons! Let's go BaughtersUDe proud" of your mighty legacy. Sign up aDd JoiD Nowl Go, go,IO!!!

•

CLtJB100 GREENTIlUMBS CLUB President" ; Robert H Aoki e.

Vice President .Joicbi Muramatsu Treasurer: Fred Kanemura Secretary" Frances Okauki

Meetings and events: 2001 Mon~y Ian 8 . 10:00 a.m. Lounge

4 Feb 5 u u'

" MarS ."" " ". A pr2 " " " May 7 " "

I " Jun4 " •. . Sunday July 1 at all day (Kitchen, Lounge and Hall) Annual Dinner . . Monday Aug 6 10:00 a.m " "

" Sep3" " . " Oct 1''' " " Nov 5 " u

" Dec 3 " "

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-t.

~ " '!.

CLUB 100 CALHNDAR OF EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2000

ABLE ................................... Saturday, Decem1ler 9 ............... Christnlas Party" ...................•... BAKER ......•......................... Sunday, December 10 ............... Christmas Party ............. 4:30pm ClfARLm ........................... Monday, Decem'ber 11 ............... Meeting ....................... 10:00am •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• f)11ll(lil)'1 DecemtN!rlJr •.............. c:ltristJrlCls })arty .•.....•...•. 4l:~I'IIl DOO ..................................... Sunday, 'Dec:ember 3 ... ~ .............. Christnlas Party ..•..•................. HQ ............•..•.............••...... Saturday, Decem'ber 16 ............... Christn1.as Pa.rI:)r ....................... . IM WAll ......................................................................................................................................... . ~lLTI ........................................... ~ ••.••.•••..••••.••••.•••..••••.••••••••••••••••.••.•.••.•••.•••.••••••.••• RURAL .......•....................... ..................................... ............................................................... .. . KA.UAI ................................. . ...•..•.........•........•.........•..........•••..•.......•....•............•........•.. BOARD ............................... Tuesday, Decem'ber 12 .................. 9:00a.m ................ Board Room S&:D BOARD ............................................................................................... a ............................. " ..................................... .

Oub100

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion 520 Kamoku Street Honolulu HI 96826-5120

DECEMBER 2000 ISSUE

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U. S. Postage

PAID Honolulu ill

Permit No. 158