100TH INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS CLUB

Transcription

1 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION VETERANS CLUB ~. '. MONTHLY NEWS DECEMBER 1998 * FROM THE EDITORS' PUKA by Ray and Aid Nosaka The election is now over and the decision to vote "yes" or "no" is an behind us. What now? Just have faith in the future and be grateful for the privilege we had in being able to vote as we so pleased. With Thanksgiving Day just ahead, let us all humbly give thanks for all that we have, for our families, for our friends and the comradeship that we still enjoy. As far as the future of Club 100, we can be thankful for the sons and daughters who will eventually take over the reins of running the club. Let us all give them our wholehearted support and our prayers. The Editors are grateful for the Chapter news reporters, for the volunteers :who turn out each month to collate, and especially to Drusilla Tanaka who types up all of the news articles and does everything else to ready the newsletters for collating and mailing to 1000 plus readers. Thank you to the following people who came out on October 29 th to collate and mail out the November issue: Bernard Akamine, Otomatsu Aoki, Robert Arakaki, Alfred Arakaki, Kunio Fujimoto, Tom Fujise, Ralph Fukunaga, Mary Hamasaki, Saburo Hasegawa, Tokuichi Hayashi, Ed [kuma, Shigeru Inouye, Arthur Komiyama, Jack Mizushima, Y. Mugitani, Joe Muramatsu, Ken Nakagawa, Bessie Nakasone, Saburo Nishime, Ray and Aki Nosaka, Tom Nosse, Susumu Ota, Ken and Janet Otagaki, Leo Sato, Kazuto Shimizu, Hiro Suehiro, Ken Suehiro, Yuriko Takahashi, Marie Yoneshige, and Kaoru Yonezawa. The count by chapters: Able-6, Baker-5, Charlie-4, Dog-2, Rural-I, Medics-2, HQ- 8, others-3. A special thank-you to Richard "China" Yamashina and Masaru Kadomoto for co1lating 100 newsletters on Wednesday. They ran a "trial" collating for the issue which contained the special insert from the LA Monument foundation. ATTENTION: You are cordially invited to three events: Club 100 Green Thumb Club Orchid Show and Plant Sale Club 100 Clubhouse, Turner Hall Saturday, November 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Welcoming Reception for new Veterans Affairs Director for Hawaii, H. David Burge, Jr. McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park Tuesday, November 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please call Drusilla at the Clubhouse to make a reservation. Club 100 members and their wives and widows are free. Heavy pupu, beer will be served. Induction Ceremony, Gallery of Heroes, Army Museum Society of Hawaii Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, Lawn outside Museum Thursday, December 10, 1998, 10 a.~. Club 100 members who will be inducted are: Shizuya Hayashi (A), Takeichi "Chicken" Miyashiro (C), the late Masato "Curly" Nakae (A). From 442 RCT, H Co., the late Robert H. Kuroda, brother of Ronald Haroto Kuroda (B), will be inducted. All members, wives, widows, sons and daughters are encouraged to att~nd. Please call the clubhouse to sign up, as a head count is needed for chairs. There is no charge for your attendance. Park at the Saratoga Parking lot and walk across the street or at the Hale Koa Hotel parking structure and take the "DeRussy Caboosie" (free shuttle) to the Museum. The PukaPuka Parade is the monthly newsletter of Club 100, Veterans of the IOO lo Infantry Battalion. Published at 520 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii '

2 NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS by President Joe Muramatsu The November Board meeting was called to order on time without Toshio Yoneyama. President of HQ Chapter, who was a little under the weather. Hope he will be recovered enough to attend the December meeting. After going through the formalities of accepting the previous month's reports, we went right on to our committee reports. Don Matsuda reported that the painting of the apartment has been completed. Also, there still is one apartment that is vacant. This is just a reminder: when using tables in the hah, please cover them with paper or with a vinyl type of covering. All positions for next years' officers have been filled. Hajime Yamane reported that he came in under budget for the Memorial Service. Our 5i h Anniversary banquet is going along slowly. Pacific Beach Hotel wants the menu set about two months before the party. There was a suggestion that we ask Los Angeles to host the Y2K (year 2000) anniversary reunion in either Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The Board unanimously voted to ask Bert Turner to be the Chairman for the Club 100 Fundraising Committee for the 100/442/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation (Los Angeles Monument). A go ahead was given for CoL Pye to spearhead the National Infantry Museum exhibit at Fort Benning, Georgia. I know this will hurt, but club members will be asked to donate, again, for this project. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of this project, ask your chapter president. And now, to the most important subject on the agenda-where to hold our December lunch. All agreed that we should go back to Kengo's in Restaurant Row. It was approved that Kazuto Shimizu and Charlie Chapter look into the feasibility of using Turner Hall a., a day care facility for our members. Headstone and niche decorations were looked at, but it was thought that it would be too expensive for just a one-time only decoration. But everyone thought they were very nice decorations. There was talk of forming a tour to include the unveiling ceremony of the LA Memorial, the Fort Benning Memorial, a visit to Fort McCoy and Las Vegas next year if and when the memorials are completed. More details will be forthcoming. Dog Chapter's request for a plaque or exhibit case for the Spark Matsunaga VA Center at TripJer is still under study. All club members and their wives, widows are invited to attend the welcoming reception for the newly appointed Director of the Hawaii Area VA office, H. David Burge, Jr., on Tuesday, November 24, 1998, at the McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park. If interested, call Drusilla at Christmas Party Chairmen: check with Mugi for the Ala Wai School parking lot gate key for your Christmas party. Also, let Drusilla know in advance if you want the BINGO equipment or the Santa Claus suit or door-prize tickets or Christmas Carol song sheets. MONUMENT FOR looth INFANTRY BATTALION TO BE INSTALLED AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA As reported by President Joe Muramatsu in the Board Highlights, the Board approved the installation of a monument at Sacrifice Field in Fort Benning, Georgia, site of the National Infantry School and Museum and the establishment of a special fund for this project. Col. Bill Pye (B/C) has designed a concept of three polished black-granite slabs. Total cost is in the neighborhood of $35,000. The monument is significant in that it is the only such monument that is 2

3 devoted entirely to the 1 ooth. As one of the directors said, "The 100 th is front and center on this onethis is a first." At Fort Benning, it will be viewed by all who attend the infantry school. Our future army leaders will be exposed to the story of the loath and will know why it is so important to Hawaii's history. In recent years the new young generals who come to Schofield or Ft. Shafter do not know a thin~ about the nisei, or if they do, they do not understand the story of the loath and tend to lump the loot and the 442 nd together. We can give them books to read or videos to view, but exposure to the loath,s history before they come to Hawaii is even better. A ~ scale model of the monument has been set up in the clubhouse lobby. Club J 00 members, widows, sons, daughters and friends are encouraged to send in monetary donations to build this monument. Attach a note or write on the memo line, "Monument" and send it directly to Club 100, 520 Kamoku Street, Honolulu HI All donations are tax deductible. MEDAL OF HONOR UPDATE If you watched ABC TV's "Good Morning, America" show on Veterans' Day, you are aware that much attention is being given to the Army's review of the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who received DSC's during World War II and up through the Persian Gulf War. Interviewed for the program'were Shizuya Hayashi (A), Jesse Hirata (B), Col. Young Kim (B/C/HQ), and Barney Hajiro of the 442 nd Working behind the scenes with the camera crew and interview team were Gene Castagnetti, Director of Punchbowl Cemetery, and Ed Ichiyama (442/522 FAB) who is also the brother of Wally Ichiyama (A) and brother-in-law of Kuni Fujimoto (A) and the late Derek Suyama (A). Through Ed's vision and foresight, and Gene Castagnetti' s support, all of the local footage was filmed at Punchbowl, with the stirring view of flags adorning the gravesites. Although the veterans' sound bytes and on-air time were very short, the full four-minute segment is nothing to sniff at. It is said that getting three minutes on such a show is a victory. Ed Ichiyama has worked tirelessly on the DSC review process since it was first announced. From researching through archival records to pulling strings with powers that be to doing leg work for national television crews, he is the veterans' veteran, and a true soldier who focuses on his mission and carries on until he reaches his objective without regard for personal reward or glory. Can't say enough about him. Thank you, Ed Ichiyama. As Senator Dan Akaka said in the segment, the announcements will be made in the spring of Until then, we must patiently wait. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT by Drusilla A. Tanaka Mahalo to the Veterans Affairs enrollment clerks and medical staff for spending a Saturday at the Clubhouse enrolling members and giving flu shots. Marie Manning, Grace Shin, Cheryl Ito, and Paul Kealoha Kekuewa, processed forms and answered a million questions. Nurse Marilyn Kunishi gave the flu shots, and Interim Director Gabriel Perez paid a visit. Sueo Sakamoto (A) thoughtfully presented each with a flowering dendrobium plant. As the work of the clerks was winding down, I sat down for a cup of coffee and to talk story with them. One of the clerks, Paul Kealoha Kekuewa, a Viet Nam veteran, was telling me about how he enjoys watching the movie, "Go For Broke," whenever he sees it on the History Channel or on HBO. He laughs, recalling the pidgin spoken by the actors and then he said, "Yea, I'm so proud of those guys... you know, my Uncle was in the 442." "Oh, what company was he in?" I asked. "I don't know. He died already, so I can't ask him, but I have pictures of him in his uniform-'smokey the Bear' hat and leggings." That triggered something in my mind and I asked him if he was sure "your uncle was 442, because the outfit you described was GI before December 7, so he must have been in the National Guard." "I'm not sure, but I do know that he was in the Army on Maui when Pearl Harbor was bombed." "What's your uncle's nanle? I'll go look it up in the Ambassadors in Arms." Sure enough, Jesse aba's name is right there, showing that he was in C Company, earned a DUB and Purple Heart. Paul couldn't believe it. Chicken skin time. I admonished him, "Remember, now, your uncle was in the looth-one Puka Puka, an original member. Now, you can be even more proud of your uncle." And then, Warren Iwai walked into the hall and when asked if he remembered Jesse aba, quickly nodded, "Of course, we were in the same platoon." And that's not all-paul Shirai, who was in the Lounge with the rest of the Able Chapter boys, knows Jesse's family because they live just up the street from him. Small world... Postscript: Jesse Oba was one-half Native Hawaiian. His younger siblings took their grandmother's maiden name, Kekuewa, after December 7, thus, Paul Kealoha Kekuewa, is the son of Jesse aba's younger brother... 3

4 Mahalo nui loa to the following donors for their thoughtful and timely gifts to Club 100: $100 from Mildred Furutani in memory of Fumio Furutani (A) o $2,000 from Jack Mizushima (C) and Family in memory of Ruth Sachiko $50 from "Biffa's" Group $50 from Alan Takehara in appreciation for the volunteers from our Speakers' Bureau, Martin Tohara (D) and Tokuji Ono (B) The following gifts to Club 100 were received in memory of the late Hideo Doi (C) $50 from Yoshio Anzai $50 from Cynthia Fukuda $25 from Irene Anzai $20 from Hideshi Niimi $100 from Kelly Jo and Edwin Narcino $30 from Konao and Doris Hakoda $25 from Eunice and Ricardo Torrijos, Jr. $20 from Uichi and Mary Ushijima The PukaPuka Parade received: $50 from Mark Hashimoto We 1 come to the newest LIFE MEMBER: Tony Miyasato (B-Mainland) Happy birthday to the following who will join the Octogenarian Club in December: Robert Hashimoto ( C), Tokio Ige (AJRural), Lawrence Miyasato (A-Mainland), Albert Takahashi (B Mainland), and Lloyd Toda (D/Mainland). i-attitvde is a 90's word. With a sigh or a shake of the head, this one word can say so many things. For the PPP, it will be the name of this new feature, with a + (plus sign) before it, meaning "positive" attitude. Susumu Kunishige(A) underwent brain surgery recently. After a few months of rehab, he is walking without a dme and back at his old "tricks." When I saw him for the first time after his surgery, he asked me how I liked his new hair-do. There was a hush in the room as I stumbled with a response. Actually, I didn't know what to say, because he had no hair. Then, he smiled his famous smile and with a twinkle in his eye, he smoothed his hand over his scalp, threw back his head, assumed a "model's pose," and looked down at me, proudly alll10uncing that he is the first nisei to sport the "Michael Jordan look." Screaming laughter was heard from all around... VETERAN LOCATOR Received in the mail: "Lennie O. Edwards, Sr., was a member of the 760 th Tank Battalion, US Army, who fought in Italy and Northern Africa during 1943 to He was associated with the men of the 100th Infantry, 442 nd Combat Team of the US Army there. He will be in Honolulu from November 27 through December 1, He would like to meet with men of the 100th Infantry who served there." Please contact the Clubhouse office if you would like to meet Mr. Edwards. A GOOD DEAL: Some of you have inquired about the 01 JOE 442 nd Action Figure. I heard someone was willing to pay $100 for one of them. No need pay that much... Elaine I-Iiga, daughter-inlaw of Saijiro Higa (B), will be stocking the "doll" at TOY RRIFIC, her toy store which is located just downstairs from City Travel and at her Kapolei store, Toys N Joys. Maybe if you smile nicely and say you are a 100 th Battalion veteran or family member, you can get a nice discount. HA WAIl CHAPTER NEWS by Jimmy Maeda Upon returning home from Japan yesterday afternoon, November 9, my wife informs me that the PukaPuka parade articles are due in Honolulu tomorrow. My friends, my sister and I had a wonderful autumn trip of 10 days. The koyo (autumn colors) up at Nikko, Kegon Falls, Lake Chusenji, Kimugawa, Kawaji, etc., were very colorful and beautiful. Mr. Suemori Aikow, manager of the Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo sends his warm aloha to Biffa Moriguchi and the other Club 100 boys. He 4

5 extends his sincere thanks to the men of Club 100 for their long association and friendship. We had a good visit in Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Tokyo. The young people of Japan were all around with their "cell" phones. Coming home to Hilo, my concern today is to put the mizuna seeds into the ground by Wednesday, so that I call harvest the mizuna by December 31, in time for January 01, The AJA Veterans Sons and Daughters will host the 1998 Christmas get-together for the Club 100 Hawaii Chapter and 442 nd Veterans Club on December 13 at the AJA Veterans Memorial Hall from 10:00 a.m. The two veterans clubs members and spouses and grandchildren are invited to the affair. More information will be announced to you later. On January 13, 1999, the AJA Veterans Council will hold their annual dinner meeting at the KK Tei Restaurant at 6:00 p.m. The annual reports will be given by the Chairperson George Taketa and other officers. There will be election of new officers for 1999 and they will be installed. Emma T. Koga ofhilo died on November 4 at the Hilo Medical Center after a long illness at the age of 88. Emma was a retired school teacher at Hilo Union SchooL Our prayer of condolence to husband Masao Koga, daughter Laurayne Badenoch of Wisconsin, sisters Hazel Kawamoto and Bernice Kawamoto and other relatives. Private services were held. Since this is the last issue for the year 1998, the officet:s of,hawaii Chapter Club 100 and this writer send Season's Greetings to you. WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. MAUl CHAPTER NEWS by Tom Nagata With Stanley Izumigawa presiding, Maui Chapter members held their third and final general meeting on Tuesday, November 3, at the Tasty Crust Restaurant in Wailuku. There were 20 members, 10 wives and 6 widows in attendance at the 11 a.m. luncheon meeting. The Secretary and Treasurer made their reports. There was a $ anonymous donation to Maui Chapter. A get-well gift was sent to Mrs. Dorothy (Goichi) Shimanuki who was hospitalized recently at the. Maui Memorial Hospital. A letter was received from the Sons and Daughters of the Maui Nisei Veterans Club about the progress of their Maui Nisei Veterans Memorial Museum project. A concern was raised by a member about the future liability of our Mother Chapter in relation to our involvement in this project, although we wrote a letter to the Sons and Daughters involved in this project that we will not be directly involved, due to our advanced age, in any fund raising. A motion was made and passed that we resolve this issue, and that payments will be withheld until it is settled. We are now 80 years of age on average and members are concerned about our ability to keep up our yearly program. We have 37 active members residing on Maui now, down from 100 back in Some moved away since then. Along with our wives and sons and daughters, we also have 20 widows of deceased active members. Shall we set a cut-off year to disband Maui Chapter? Our get-well wishes go to Mrs. Daisy (Ben) Takayesu! who was hospitalized recently at the Maui Memorial Hospital. There will be a Christmas Dinner Party at the Kahului Community Center starting at 6 p.m., Friday, December 18, Sons and Daughters will be in charge. RURAL CHAPTER CHATTER by Ted M. Hamasu It's getting to be the time of the year when the leaves are changing colors and ever so slowly, old man winter wi1l be visiting us! even in Hawaii. The Year of the Tiger started quietly, but ended with a roar, which shook the whole foundation of this country when the president was caught lying about his actions. Even the stock market was in turmoil after he was caught. And now, the congress, like the stock market, can't make up its mind about what to do. But one thing is certain, the year of the Tiger is slowly coming to an end. Its inighty roar is slowly fading in the distance, to be replaced by a Rabbit. Yeh, a "Rabbit." I hope it will be a cute little bunny, but... we'll have to wait and see what it brings for the year This issue of the PPP will be the last for this year, so this lonely scribe wishes to extend a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to our OHANA and the rest of the chapters of the club. Yoki otoshi wo omukai kudasai. 5

6 I hear stories about some of our members and wives visiting Las Vegas every other month. I was thinking, could anyone get addicted to the sound of the coins falling into the tray, or the clanging of the bells announcing the big winners? With MEGA BUCKS as prizes for a lucky person, I hope that you all come out to be big winners in Our Installation banquet and New Year's "Shinnen Enkai" will be hejd on January 17, All necessary info will be noted in the next issue of the PPP, so please mark your calendars and reserve that date. The members and wives of Rural Chapter express their deepest condolences to Oscar Fukino, his son Gordon, the family and relatives, for their loss of Jane Kimiko, Oscar's loving wife. Her memorial service was held at the Mililani Mortuary on 4 November May she rest in peace. F COMPANY NEWS by Kenneth M. Higa The Latest News: Hakaru Taoka, F Company honcho, is up and around like an old boy, again. The swelling of his legs and the severe leg pains have practically "vanished." Brah, what kind of "vanishing cream" are you using? Yasuto Furusho, who was also suffering with severe leg pains, is feeling much, much better. It seems that "the feeling better symptom" must be contagious. Tetsuo Takeoka of Honokaa, Hawaii, is feeling pretty good and enjoying himself, participating in senior citizen activities. Tetsuo has had his share 'of setbacks the past few years. Early this year, due to a fractured right hand, he was a convalescent patient at the VA Center for Aging at TripIer, and later, at a care home in the Kalihi Valley area. Month-old News: The following persons showed up at Punchbowl on Saturday morning, September 26, to decorate the graves of our deceased comrades and spouses: Grace Endo and daughter Alsie, Thomas Funamoto, Michael Hamamoto, Kenneth Higa, Seiso Kamishita, Satoshi Kashimoto, Charlie Nishimura, Helen and Tadao Seo, Mataki Takeshita, and Yukio' Tanji. Also, Avin and MaryAnn Oshiro and Sophie Hatakenaka of the Sons and Daughters. Ben Yamada decorated the graves at Hawaiian Memorial Park and Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, while Ted Hamasu took care of the graves at Moiliili Cemetery, Nuuanu Memorial Park and Soto Mission of Hawaii. Mahalo nui loa to all of you for your kokua. Afterwards, the not-so-able but willing workers were rewarded with lunch at the Wisteria Restaurant. Very sorry that Grace and daughter Alsie, Thomas, Ben, A vin, Mary Ann and Sophie were not able to join us. Special thanks to Hayato Tanaka for shipping the box of flowers and to Ted Hamasu for picking it up at the airport. Attending the annual memorial service at Punchbowl were Miyako Yoshida, her daughter and grandchildren. Also, Misao Enomoto, of Volcano, Hawaii and daughter Ernestine. Tans: Jane Fukino, beloved wife of Oscar Fukino, died on October 28 at home. The memorial service was held at the Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel on November 4. It was really gratifying to see a goodly number from F Company, including Yeiko and Mitsuko Riga of Haliimaile, Maui, paying their last respects to Jane. We shall miss her at our annual reunions. Hiroji Kamishita of Waimea, Kauai, died on September 29 in Kauai Veterans HospitaL He was the brother of Seiso Kamishita. Hiroji was a distributor for Fuller Brush and a sales representative with Electrolux. Nobuo Shimatsu of Kekaha, Kauai, a retired plumber with Kekaha Sugar Company, died on September 30 in Kauai Veterans Hospital. He was the brother of Hisa and Fumi Shimatsu. To the Fukino, Kamishita, and Shimatsu families and relatives, we extend deepest condojences for the Joss of your loved ones. Quotes: Americans are getting stronger. Twenty five years ago, it took two people to carry fifteen dol1ars worth of groceries. Today, a child can do it. Nursing a grudge is like arguing with a policeman-the more you do it, the worse things get. An optimist is a fisherman who takes along a camera. Greetings: Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 6

7 DOG CHAPTER NEWS by Helen NikHido Congratulations to Joanne Yoshida, wife of Clyde and daughter-in-law of litsuri and Mildred Yoshida. She was named in Hawaii's Top Teachers column in the Star Bulletin. She teaches at Ernest B. De Silva Elementary School in Hilo. Don't forget the Dog Chapter meeting on November 21, 1998, at the clubhouse board room. Dog Chapter's Christmas party will be on December 20, 1998, at the clubhouse. Details were printed in the last issue of the PPP. Reminder that this is the same day and around the same time that the UH Commencement ceremony will be held, so don't get caught in the traffic. The much-awaited "Biffa's" One Puka Puka 1998 Autumn tour final1y came. We left Honolulu via JAL 75 on October 8, bound for Tokyo International Airport in Narita. We celebrated Nancy Nakamura's belated birthday in flight. "China" Yamashina's delicious mango bread, which he baked for her, was shared and enjoyed by the group, flight attendants and nearby passengers. We arrived in the afternoon after crossing the international dateline on October 9. After entry procedures, our faithful JTB guide, Rudy Yamashita, met us then proceeded to Shiba Park Hotel, our home away from home for two nights. Since Saturday was a free day, "Opu" took us to the twin tower in Shinjuku. It was foggy, but we got to see all the tall buildings, concrete jungles. Sunday, we left Tokyo for Karuizawa on the shinkasen (bullet train). Karuizawa is known for being the place where foreign residents, the upper class and celebrities, had villas, but it is now crowded with the younger generation and many hotels, sports/recreation facilities were built to cater to them. Visited the "Mina-no-chaya," milk farm, Shiraito Fal1s, Kamahara Kannondo Shrine. Left Karuizawa for Nagano. On the way, we stopped at one of the apple orchards to enjoy "ringo gari" or apple picking. We ate various varieties of apples. Proceeded to Zenkoji Temple, regarded as one of the most popular temples in Japan. There is a tunnel under the main altar which surrounds the temple. If one touches the "key to paradise" while groping in the tunnel, it is believed to promise them an easy passage to eternity. I don't know if I touched it; I'll know in time. The city of Matsumoto is surrounded by the Japan Alps, the gateway to one of the most spectacular regions of Japan. The magnificent ski slopes of Hakuba hosted the recently completed winter Olympics. Visited Hime flower park, the Ariakesan shrine, Art Hills glassware shop, and a "wasabi" (Japanese horseradish) farm. Left Matsumoto for Kamikochi where the mountain peaks reflect in the ponds of the Azusa River basin. Visited the Taisho Pond, the Tashiro Pond and the Kappa Bridge before having lunch at the famous Kamokochi Imperial Hotel. After lunch, continued to Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji. We had a birdseye view of the majestic Mt. Fuji from our hotel. It was cloudy, but we had a glimpse in the morrung. It is said, Mt. Fuji is a shy mountain, as the tip of the mountain was covered by clouds. Clouds started rolling in, but it was a sight to behold. We went up to the 5 th station of Mt. Fuji to get a view of the surrounding region, but were unable to see, due to rain and it was cloudy. Visited al1 five lakes located around Mt. Fuji-Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji, Lake Sai, Lake Kawaguchi, and Lake Yamanaka. Arrived in Kofu and visited the Manz winery, went to a grape orchard to pick grapes. We headed for Komagane highlands via the Mitake Shosenkyo ravine, flowing from the Okuchichibu mountains. A walking path allows you to enjoy the natural sculpture of steep precipices, giant rock formation, crystal clear streams. It was breathtaking, but the walk was tiring. Headed for Tenryukyo Gorge to board a flat bottom boat on the River Tenryu. I didn't go, as it was raining and couldn't see anything from the inside, plus the fear of the typhoon approaching. During the ride, I heard the boatman caught fish in the muddy river and cooked it for them, some of them ate... yuk! After a picturesque 3-hour train ride, we arrived in the city of Toyohashi. Cape Irako is located at the western-most end of the Atsumi peninsula. Many famous poets, such as Matsuo Basho, a master of "haiku," composed poems here. We visited Irako Flower Park, such beautiful flowers, tropical plants, also an herb garden. Boarded a high-speed ferry to cross the Mikawa to Toba, birthplace of the cultured pearl industry. After visiting the Mikimoto Pearl Island, visited the Toba scenic lookout to enjoy a panoramic view of Toba Bay and its surroundings. We then proceeded to Ago Bay to take a delightful cruise to enjoy a delicious bar-becue lunch served during the cruise, which was the highlight of the cruise. Left Toba to board a Kentetsu train for Nago to a JR "bullet train" for Tokyo. Wednesday, October 20, all day free for shopping, which was not enough time to shop. Thursday morning, did some last-minute shopping, met in the hotel lobby mid-afternoon for departure and customs instructions. We left on JAL flight 76 bound for Honolulu. At Karuizawa, we had to climb a steep stairway without any railing to go to the dining room. I told Mildred, "Opu's" wife, we better have Urara put in railings. "Urara" is the carpenter in the I5-minute program on NON, who put railings in for her handicapped grandmother. It was so dangerous to go down the steps, I took off my slippers and went down.one step at a time. Nancy had Paula to hold her. 7

8 I wondered how the Japanese Nationals manage when they have one too many to drink. We got to eat horsemeat sashimi-actually the meat was singed. "Opu" told us we might "hee haw" after eating. 1 was hesitant, but Carolyn told me if I were game enough, she'd try it, too. We both ate-it was delicious. Our group included the following: Tomiko and daughter Paula Asato; cousin Jo-Ann Claveria; Alex and Taeko Fujise; Kazuo "Opu" and Mildred Hiranaka; Sumio Ito; Fred Kanemura, "Joe" Kubota; Katsumi and Jeanne Maeda; Ethel Matsuura (Jeanne's sister); Carolyn Nakamura (Ethel's daughter who resides in Japan); Nancy Nakamura; Helen Nikaido, "Pro" Tanaka; Sadame Tsuda and Richard "China" Yamashina. It was nice having the young gals, Paula, Jo-Ann, and Carolyn-they were so helpful and we enjoyed having them with us. To "Opu," our sincere than.ks and appreciation for taking care of us and being so thoughtfu1. So ended a most enjoyable journey to Japan. Sayonara! Dog Chapter sends everyone Season's Greetillgs and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year! CHARLIE CHAPTER NEWS by Warren Iwai Date: Place: Time: Cost: Parking: Program: Call: Deadline: PLEASE CALL Charlie Chapter Christmas Party Sunday, December 13, 1998 Clubhouse 5:00 p.m. Free - members and spouses, single member and guest Children under age 12. $5.00 per person - All other guests Ala Wai School Carol singing, Santa Claus' visit and BINGO. Bring children's gift for Santa to deliver. Kiyoshi Uyeno Phone: Address: 333 Lunalilo Home Road Honolulu HI Make check payable to Co. "C" Club 100. We must have the count of the number of adults and children coming to order the food by December 6. Just before the Christmas party, there will be another reason to celebrate as Chicken Miyashiro will be inducted in the Hawaii Army Museum's "Gallery of Heroes" on December 10. Details are printed on page 1 of this PPP. Be sure to call Drusilla at the oflice to let her know that you will be there. There is no cost to attend. MINI-REUNION 1998 report: Kazuto and Lynn Shimizu attended the reunion in Las Vegas and here is his "When Warrren Iwai asked me to report on "C" Chapter members' doings at the Minj-reunion, my first reaction was, where were they? So, my report on them is going to be a report on what I did. Briefly, 1 enjoyed two days of golf and a leisurely excursion trip to the Valley of Fire. And there were the hospitality room Gam packed), the black jack tables, and the banquet. My wife took in the many bus trips offered and she should be the one writing about Hisako and Millie, Maizie and Ayako, etc., etc. I did get to sit with Willian1 Omoto at the same blackjack table and Toe Yoshino got Chester Hada and me on stage to sing karaoke. For diversion, I must tell you about the "14 Venturers." Joe Muramatsu got 14 nutty people to pool a "C" note each to play the Mega Bucks. The "players" had 1400 dollar slots to venture with no set rules on what to do. I don't know how it was done except that 1400 dollar slots went into the machine and the promised $25 million never appeared. For this thrill, the "14" were down about $32.00 each. Returning the left over is another long story. 8

9 I got to wondering-what if one of the players got a big enough pay-off to involve the IRS? A small profit, maybe, but 14 people with one check to one person with a tax angle? Me thinks maybe 'twas better to be giving than to receive. The Mini-Reunion was enjoyable and relaxing from my point of view and I thank Jean, Teri, June and all the others that did the hard work on our behalf. To the "c" members at Las Vegas, "see you back home." Thank you, Kazuto, you are the best Las Vegas reporter. Charlie Chapter received a very generous donation of $2,000 from Jack Mizushima in memory o( his wife, Ruth Sachiko. His sentiments are, "My family has benefited over the years from the support and assistance provided by your organization and its various programs. These donations are made in the spirit of Aloha and appreciation for the value the Club 100 Veterans Club has and continue to provide my family." Jack also donated to the Club 100 mother club and to the Sons and Daughters Scholarship Fund. Thank you, Jack, and the Mizushima Family. It is good to hear that the club has been a plus to the family. Someone said, "Children are the most expensive form of entertainment." So, gather around your children and grand-children for a happy Thanksgiving holiday. See you at the Christmas party. LADIES CORNER: Thanks to the efficiency and perseverance by Marian Yamamoto and Ai Kawamoto, there was a record number of ladies attending the "C" Company wives' buffet luncheon at Hanaki Restaurant in Manoa on Sunday, November 1. Enjoying the good food and camaraderie were Edith Ito, Alice Nakagawa, Takako Umamoto, Florence Matsumura, Amy Ikeda, Lorraine Miyashiro, Maizie Nakamura, Hisako Miyashiro, Betty Twai, Lynn Shimizu, Kay Oshiro, Alice Shiozaki, Doris Kimura, Beatrice Niimi and daughter Arlene. If Stella Mizuta and Agnes Tengan did not have to pull out, we would have gone over the record number of ] 8. Hope Stella and Agnes can join the group in January when a Chinese dim sum luncheon at Seafood Village, Hyatt Regency in Waikiki is planned. Watch for details in the December Parade.. It was great to welcome and chat with Amy, Florence, Kay and Alice S. It seems Sunday is the only day they can take off and relax from grandmotherly "duties" like baby-sitting, chauffeuring, and working. And Arlene, Beatrice's daughter, was so sweet to bring her mom who is wheel-chair bound. BAKER CHAPTER NEWS by Bernard S. Akamine Our condolences to the family of the late Moses So who passed away on September 30, Reminder: The Christmas party is on the 6 th of December, 4 p.m. Help is needed on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 in the morning, to decorate Turner Hall. Robert Aoki needs help on Sunday, preparing the food. Donations of door prizes, pupu, desserts will be greatly appreciated. Heard from Chairman Rikio Tsuda that the "committee" who signed up in April have received their "marching orders" and are working very hard for this event. Judy (Iha) Nakamura has terrific plans for the children, so come early - don't miss out on the fun and games. Please, please, call in your reservations so that there will be enough food and prizes. On October 29, the collating day for the November issue of the PPP, Robert Arakaki and I were reminiscing about our days in Italy-not about combat, but about experiences in post-war Italy. There was a guy from Hawaii whose orders to return home came, but he was nowhere to be found. It was learned that he was in Paris, so a call went out to the military police to bring him back so he could go home. Another thing that remains in our minds is the thousands of refugees returning south to their homes. Every day people walking, some fortunate ones on bicycles. In this atmosphere people were taking advantage of the refugees, even in our own unit that was stationed near the beach as POW guards. The stockade's guard tower was alongside the beach and whenever a school of fish was spotted, the guard on duty would call and inform the rest of us and we would throw hand grenades into the water, the guy on the tower giving us directions. After the dead fish floated to the surface, we would gather them and brought them back to fry them in butter that we scrounged from the hospital we were attached to. Rice was also cooked on a wood fire out in the open. We used to have a feast at least once a week. Then, some guys in the unit took advantage of the refugees. One guy who was able to converse in Italian would sit on the sidewalk and wait for his prey. A meal, a hot shower was the 9

10 lure and after that several favors were granted him. It made me realize how awful war is. If we were the losers, our own sisters would have been the ones subjected to these things. Mits Doi came into the clubhouse and he is quite a guy. He started cooking tako--most peop1e would boil it, right? Not Mits-he puts salad oil in the pan and cooks the tako--he said no need to season it because he used Hawaiian salt when he cleaned it and rubbed it in good. Try it the next time you come across a fresh tako. ABLE CHAPTER NEWS loy Tommy Nishioka This is the last reminder to the Able Chapter members, wives, widows to sign up for the Able Christmas party o~ December 19, Chairman Richard Ishimoto and Co-Chair Louise Morikawa are working very hard to make this party a very enjoyable one. Congratulations to Shizuya Hayashi and the late Masato "Curly" Nakae who will be inducted into the Gallery of Heroes at the Hawaii Army Museum on December 10. Hope all of you will attend th~ ceremony. Call the clubhouse to make your reservation. If you didn't hear from Able Chapter in the last PPP, it is simply because this writer didn't have anything to write about and, as our President, Al Matsumoto says, "If you don't get any feedback from the members, don't write anything." Able Chapter is drastically looking for a good PPP writer. Therefore, if there's anyone, wives, widows included, who wish to volunteer, please Jet us know. Able Chapter wishes to extend a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Safe New Year to all the families. DISANDDAT by Ray Nosaka When you are planning your vacation for 1999, please keep these occasions in mind-on June 5, 1999, the Los Angeles "Go For Broke" monument unveiling. A post-unveiling celebration will follow in Las Vegas to be followed by the unveiling of the 100th Infantry Battalion monument at Fort Benning, Georgia, on June 12, 1999 (this date is tentative). Then in Honolulu, the 57 th anniversary banquet and celebration will be held on June 26' 1999, at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. On October 17-21, 1999, the annual Mini-Reunion, hosted by the Southern California chapter, will be held at the California Hotel in Las Vegas. Further information regarding all of these events will be printed in the future as received. As part of our Community Service, the Hui Hanele Ohana (Co. B Ukulele Club) has been entertaining at various nursing homes. On October 28, we brought dancing and singing to the Palolo Chinese Home; then on November 4, 23 entertained at the Honolulu Convalescent Center. On November 20, our stage was at the Oahu Care Facility. It is with great joy that we try to bring some happiness to these people who are bound to their wheelchairs. We would like to thank the fohowing musicians and hula dancers who joined us in spreading good cheer: Marie Yoneshige, Tom Tsubota, Stella Tanigawa, Harry Katahara, Kimi Matsuda, Evelyn Tsuda, Takako Umamoto, Jane Ueoka, Hilda Kaneshiro, David and Janet Umeda, Ellen and Mits Kunihiro, Ralph and AJice Tomei, Henry and Doris Ishida, Eleanor Ando, Ellen Yamada, Jane Yamao, Yori Inouye, James Kanemori, and Ray and Aki Nosaka. Kudos to Tokuji Ono and Martin Tohara who quietly go about doing their community service by speakin~ to the students at public and private schools. They are determined to keep alive the stories of the loot Infantry by repeating them again and again. Another community service that the members are involved with is the "Punchbowl Volunteers." Every Saturday you will find two members (or a member and his spouse) at the information office of Punchbowl Cemetery. Our job is to assist people who are inquiring about the locati<?n of a certain gravesite or answer any other questions the visitors might have. The following classified ad appeared in a California newspaper: "For Sale-a beautiful view Jot in hills overlooking Nudist Colony. Must sacrifice due to failing eyesight." 10

11 SONS AND DAUGHTERS NEWS The long-awaited book, Japanese Eyes... American Heart, has arrived in time for Christmas giving. Sons and Daughters have it available for sale for $30 for the cloth-bound and $20 for the paperback. Some of the "fathers" who have their stories in the book are Tokuji Ono, Warren Iwai, Tom Nagata, Ben Tamashiro, Kaoru Yonezawa, Mike Tokunaga, Conrad Tsukayama, Stanley M. Akita, Seiso Kamishita, Jesse Hirata, Robert T. Sato, Ray Nosaka, Ben Yamamoto, Sakae Takahashi, Chaplain Israel Yost, "Doc" Kometani, Hoichi Kubo, Walter "Biffa" Moriguchi, and Spark Matsunaga. Kikuyo Fujimoto, mother of Kunio Fujimoto and Bert Turner, son of "Old Man" Turner also wrote articles for the book. Cary Miyashiro, Mimi Nakano and Drusilla Tanaka served on the Editorial Board for over 2 years. Karleen Chinen was the editor. Contact Ann Kabasawa, Sophie Hatakenaka, or Drusil1a Tanaka if you are interested ill purchasing a copy. Our annual meeting is pau for this year, and we say mahalo to all who attended. The following were elected to the Board of Directors: Avin Oshiro, Evelyn Honda, Drusilla Tanaka, Ann Kabasawa, Jill Thalmann, Brent Kagawa, and Art Nakayama. The new Board will convene on Friday, November 20, to elect the officers for The Sons and Daughters Scholarship Fund received the following donations: $2,000 from the Jack Mizushima family in memory of Mrs. Ruth Sachiko Mizushima. We thank the Mizushima family for their thoughtfulness in this time of bereavement. Mrs. Mizushima was a great supporter of the Sons and Daughters and often participated in our events and special projects. We will certainly miss her. Reminder: Those S&D who do not pay their dues by December 31, 1998, will be removed from the PPP mailing list. IN MEMORIAM Moses So (B) September 30, 1998 May he rest in peace. The Club 100 Ohana extends deepest sympathies to the So family. We thank Hiroshi Minami (HQ Scout) for composing the following poem especially for the 53 rd Memorial Service in September and Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani for including it in the invocation: Honor to Uphold We pause to honor Al1 our Brothers in Valor Of the years gone by; Has it been that long, Nigh fifty-three years ago We bowed in prayer; Humbly to honor Brave men who had departed Rendering service; In war and in peace They had given of themselves That we may yet live, The task to complete Struggles for peace, if need be, Honor to uphold. So in remembrance May sons and daughters embrace Gift of Legacy Which have been passed on For our continued service In the years ahead. II

12 .., ~ CLUB 100 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 1998 ABLE... Saturday, December a.m... Lounge BAKER... Saturday, December p.m... Lounge CHARLIE... Monday, December a.m... Board Room DOG... Saturday, December a.m... Board Room HQ... Tuesday, December :30 a.m... Lounge HAWAII... Sunday, December a.m... AJA Veterans Memorial Hall MAUI..... Friday, December p.m... Kahului Community Center RURAL KAUAI BOARD... Friday, December a.m... Board Room S&D BOARD... Friday, December p.m... Board Room GREEN THUMB... Monday, December a.m... Lounge KARAOKE FUN NITE... Friday, December p.m... Turner Hall GREEN THUMB ANNUAL ORCHID SHOW AND PLANT SALE.. Sat. & Sun., Nov. 21 & 22 Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas Season's Greetings May you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous NeT/V Year! The Clubhouse Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday and on Friday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas Holiday. The clubhouse will be open as usual on these days from 8 a.m. to noon. Deadline for articles for the January 1999 issue is Tuesday, December 8, articles to datanaka@juno.com or fax to (808) The PukaPuka Parade collating will be on Thursday, December 17, at 8:30 a.m.. Chapters are responsible for providing the manpower and refreshments. Baker and Rural Club 100 Veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion 520 Kamoku Street Honolulu HI NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Honolulu HI Permit No. 158 DECEMBER 1998 ISSUE ( I _ '--1 \ ~-----, I i _... _ j