The Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) holds a Memorial Day Service every year since 1946 to honor Japanese American and other veterans who gave their lives in service to our country. Over the years, it has become one of the oldest and largest Memorial Day services in the Northwest, with several hundred gathering by the Nisei War Memorial, a 22-foot-tall granite obelisk inscribed with the sites of major campaigns of WW II in Europe and the Pacific, as well as the names of Japanese American KIA (killed in action) from the Spanish-American War, WW I, WW II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and Granada.

Most of the Nisei WW II veterans served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion, the most highly decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the US military, while others served in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), a unit credited by a member of General McArthur’s HQ staff with shortening the war in the Pacific by two years. Many served in these segregated units while the U.S. government held their families back home in concentration camps behind barbed wire. 81 years later, the Japanese American community and friends will gather to honor the Nisei veterans’ service and loyalty to country as we strive to continue their legacy of courage and sacrifice. We also honor those who gave their lives in subsequent wars and conflicts around the globe.

The Memorial Day Program will start with a presentation of colors by the Seattle Buddhist Temple Boy Scout Troop 252, followed by Prayers and Meditations from both Christian and Buddhist perspectives, and end with a Presentation of Floral Wreaths by over a dozen community and veterans’ organizations in memory of our fallen heroes. Our Keynote Speaker is Nyle Miyamoto, whose father served in the 442nd RCT.

The public is cordially invited to attend and pay their respects.
May Peace and Justice prevail.

“Go For Broke!”