Picnic perfect for war stories
By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Veterans of the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team's 100th Infantry Battalion will gather this weekend to reminisce and openly share their experiences with family and friends, something they have generally been reticent to do.
The public, veterans and their families are invited to the Second Annual Legacy Picnic on Sunday at the Disabled American Veterans building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10. For details, call 946-0272.
The battalion fought with distinction during World War II and merged with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team which became the most-decorated unit of its size in American history.
If you go
About 400 veterans, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are expected at the Second Annual Legacy Picnic, an event planned in hopes of keeping the legacy of the aging veterans alive.
The battalion fought in Italy and France not only to help defeat Germany but to prove their allegiance to the country and help gain rights as full-fledged citizens, said Gary Doi, one of the chairmen of the picnic. When they returned from combat, Doi said President Truman told them, "You fought not only the enemy, you fought prejudice and you won."
The event was started out of "fellowship, and basically being able to get together," but it turned into a chance for younger generations to learn more about the veterans, Doe said. His father-in-law, Joe Muramatsu, was in the battalion.
While the veterans, most now in their 80s, often congregate on other occasions, the picnic has activities and games to attract the younger family members.
"We want the children to come out because we wanted our children to understand what happened," Doi said. "It's an important part of not only their background, but their legacy. It's important for all of us, and the story the veterans have to share affects all Americans."
More than 300 people attended last year's picnic. Robin Uyeda, who attended last year's event, said he saw a change in veterans' attitudes toward sharing their wartime experiences. Uyeda said his grandfather, Katsumi "Doc" Kometani, was a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, but rarely spoke about the war because battalion veterans "are not one to talk about themselves.
"Now, the veterans are coming more out in the open with their stories," said Uyeda, a chef at Palomino Restaurant Rotisseria Bar. "I guess they're getting older and the new generation is getting more involved in understanding the sacrifices they made."
Tokuji Ono, 83, of Kaimuki, who became a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion at age 22, said he shares his stories in hopes that his children and grandchildren understand what he and the others had to endure.
"I try to bring up the fact that we built up quite a reputation not because of the medals and awards we got, but the fact that we endured and persevered despite the suspicion and lack of trust they had in us in the beginning," Ono said.
He added that many of the veterans like the informal setting of a picnic, which makes them more comfortable when they share their stories.
"At this picnic, the folks get together, and the young ones can participate in all the games," Ono said. "In between, some stories come about. There are very few of the members who do it formally and say, 'Eh, kids, I want to tell you what I endured.' The stories comes up more so incidentally, in bits and pieces."
