Japanese-American
World War II vets will
convene here
More than 3,000 former soldiers and
By Lori Tighe
their families are expected this week
Star-BulletinRobert Katayama doesn't remember saying it, but his friends swear he did.
On his first day of battle in World War II, the self-described somewhat naive 18-year-old yelled, "They're trying to kill us!"
The Japanese-American vet, today at age 73, smiles and crinkles his eyes recalling the story when his romantic image of war met its horrific reality. He not only fought the Japanese and Germans who threatened America, but he also fought America's prejudice against Japanese-Americans.
'Reunite and Remember' is the theme of the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention this week.
Workshops and a banquet will fill the new Hawai'i Convention Center; a play will be launched; two four-star generals will speak; a special memorial will be unveiled; a Punchbowl ceremony will honor the dead; and two exhibits will pay respect to the Nisei soldier.
More than 3,000 veterans and their families are expected to come from the mainland, Japan, Thailand and Mexico for the events. The convention, sponsored by the AJA Veterans Council, will be hosted by four veterans club presidents who served with 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion and Military Intelligence Service.
Katayama served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He is now president of its veterans club. Katayama, son of a Japanese father and Hawaiian mother, dropped out of Farrington High School to join the war and prove his American patriotism.
"A call went out to all Japanese-Americans to demonstrate their loyalty to their country," he said. To Katayama's surprise, those in relocation camps took up the call behind barbed wire, stripped of liberty and property. "Had I been in their position would I have volunteered? That's my unanswered question," he said.
During the outbreak of war the country tried to keep Americans of Japanese ancestry out of the armed forces, said Ed Goto, activities chairman of the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd, at a press conference yesterday.
"The time came for them to distinguish themselves -- which they did," Goto said.
The children of WWII Japanese-American vets want to capture their parents' memories before they pass away, so they can in turn pass them on to future generations, said Gail Onuma, convention coordinator also with the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd.
Her parents nicknamed Onuma "Homecoming Queen" because they conceived her immediately after her father, Rodney Yamashiro, returned from war. She remembers as a young girl sitting on her father's lap and hearing him talk about his battles.
Yamashiro, a past president of the 442nd Veterans Club, told her about his crooked toe, which he said was disfigured by a German bullet.Years later, she learned the truth, she recalls laughing. "He caught his toe in a bike wheel."
1998 AJA Veterans National Convention events Convention events
Thursday: "Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire," stage play at 6 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Luncheon banquet and special program, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hawai'i Convention Center.
Schofield Barracks special 4th of July celebration at 5:30 p.m.
