I often look at the flame as a reminder of what we all need to do to ensure that this great story, a great American Story, is known, understood and reflected by all Americans. Since 2007, the National Education Center has been steadily working to establish a national presence to ensure that this story of patriotism, loyalty and citizenship is kept alive in communities across the nation, and equally important, taught in our schools. With the involvement and support of our National Spokesperson, General Eric Shinseki, we have been traveling the country to Honolulu, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Portland, Chicago, Washington DC to meet the WWII veterans, our supporters, and to develop partnerships with veteran organizations and cultural institutions. It has been a rewarding experience to meet these WWII veterans, who are now in their mid 80s, as their stories are most inspiring. It is also encouraging to see many family members who accompany their fathers to learn more about the veterans' legacy. The National Education Center will be launching a national newsletter this fall to report to our supporters all the activities happening throughout the nation to keep the veteran story alive. It is our duty, our honor and a pleasure to be able to play a part in ensuring that their contributions and sacrifices are never forgotten. In closing, we wish to thank you for your continued support. Please enjoy this eTorch featuring Victor Izui, a 442nd veteran that we had a chance to meet during our recent trip to Chicago.
Sincerely,
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 Izui still shudders when recalling the sounds of war he heard as a 442nd Regimental Combat Team I Company medic: the staccato "Brrrt! Brrrt! Brrrt!" of a German machine gun, and the "Clap!" of a high velocity bullet. But nothing chilled him more than the urgent voice of a soldier shouting, "Medic! Medic! Where's the medic?"
The first time Izui heard that cry in battle, he knew what had to be done: stay calm, work fast, stop the bleeding, and watch for shock. But that day it was Izui who was in shock. "First time you see a jaggedly ripped opened body - it's in full color," he said. "My God! I never saw anything like that. You don't know what to do." Neither his instructors, who had never seen combat, nor the "make-believe" training had prepared him for what he was seeing. |
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 Aratani U.S.-Japan Historical Initiative
As the crew got off the airplane in Japan, we were greeted by the "tsuyu" (rainy) season. At last, we had made it to beautiful and slightly muggy Japan! After almost a year of planning, the Go For Broke National Education Center's Aratani U.S.-Japan Historical Initiative was underway. The purpose of this program is to gain a better understanding of the Japan perspective of World War II and the Pacific Theater. |
 Hanashi Oral History Program In Hawaii
The Hanashi Oral History Program conducted four interviews in Honolulu from June 28-29 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) in Moiliili. The interview session was a first-time partnership event with the JCCH, who shared its facilities with the Go For Broke National Education Center in exchange for a shared interview session. |
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 Oral History Video Archive
The Go For Broke National Education Center's Oral History Video Archive is the largest online audio/visual resource focused solely on World War II Japanese American veterans. The Archive provides access to the professional-quality interviews taken by the Hanashi Oral History Program, which has been conducting interviews since 1998. A total of 570 full-length interviews are currently online at www.GoForBroke.org. Join the more than 2,000 people that have already registered to access the Oral History Video Archive by going to www.GoForBroke.org and clicking on the Oral Histories link. Access to the archive is completely free. |
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 Go For Broke Monument'sNinth Anniversary Six soldiers wearing World War II uniforms marched with precision carrying the American flag alongside the colors of their unit, the 100th/442nd. But, these were not the Nisei (second-generation Japanese American) veterans. They are members of today's 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry Regiment, 29th Brigade, a Hawaii-based Army Reserve unit that traces its history back to the Japanese Americans who answered the call to duty 65 years ago. |
The Go For Broke National Education Center's logo is an eternal flame. It was designed and selected more than 11 years ago to represent the need to keep the legacy of the Japanese American WWII veterans alive eternally.
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