The Sons & Daughters was established in 1993 as a chapter of the 442nd Veterans Club, which is made up of Nisei veterans who fought two battles in World War II.
“We will never forget the dedication, sacrifice and courage of our fathers,” the Sons & Daughers website states. “It is through their accomplishments that we are here today.”
The nation’s highest award for combat valor, the Medal of Honor, was conferred upon 21 members of the 100th Infantry battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of World War II.
On Oct. 5, 2010, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion, as well as the 6,000 Japanese-Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service during the war.
In 2012, the surviving members of the 442nd RCT were made chevaliers of the French Légion d’Honneur for their actions contributing to the liberation of France during World War II and their heroic rescue of the Lost Battalion outside of Biffontaine, France.
Sons & Daughters Honolulu club President Grace Fujii said that their work involves supporting Nisei veterans and helping preserve the history of the 442nd RCT, the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history.
This past year, they assisted at the 73rd annual banquet of the 442nd veterans and began planning for a memorial boulder at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. They are now exploring the possibility of reinstating the docent program at Punchbowl and will participate in events this December for the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Regular membership is for all lineal descendants of a World War II soldier of the 442nd RCT and associate membership is available to those who are interested in the 442nd.
“We welcome new members at any time,” said Grace. “It’s a great way to become involved in community activities, remember our veterans and learn about our World War II history.” To learn more, email or call the club.
442ND VETERANS CLUB
933 Wiliwili St., Honolulu HI 96826
808-949-799 | sons-daughters@442SD.org
Did you know 22 was the average age of those who attended New York’s historic Woodstock Festival in August 1969? More than a half-million hippies or wannabes rocked to the music. If you do the math — you guessed it — the Woodstock generation is aging into Medicare or already there. Back in January 1970, Tom Moffat’s Hawai‘i version of Woodstock, aka, the Sunshine Festival or Diamond Head Crater Festival, featured Carlos Santana, along with Journey, Styx and others. So where are the hipsters today? They are still dancing to the beat of the music. I witnessed it recently at the “Battle of the Bands” reunion concert featuring Hawai‘i high school rock bands formed in the ’60s that still crank out tunes today to sold-out venues. I danced for hours as the bands — Loving Sounds 34, Audissey and Wasabi performed. Next, I was dancing at a sock hop featuring music and fashions of the ’60s. DJ Doug Oshiro was fabulous. To push the event over the top, he introduced Linda Green of Tempos. She sang her hit tune, My Little Japanese Boy, to cheering fans. Outspoken and rebellious, the youth of the ’60s redefined the nation, Hawai‘i and the world by disrupting the status quo. If the World War II generation is known as “the greatest,” then the Woodstock generation, even as they reach Medicare age, will be remembered as “the coolest,” as they rock and roll through their retirement years.
Boost your brain by joining the Hawai‘i State Public Library System’s 2016 Adult Summer Reading Program from June 5 to July 16. Build your brainpower and commit to deep reading 20 minutes daily. Studies have shown that reading reduces stress, makes you a better speaker and keeps your thinking sharp.
