Memorial Day Tribute |
By Michiko Yamamoto
“‘Now we have two memorials of our loving deceased. One, deep in our hearts, and the other, this monument.’ …the tower was ‘a symbol of their [Issei pioneers] courage, their fortitude, their patience, their humility, their trust in people and their belief in democracy.’”
From Ryozo Kado’s speech at the Memorial Tower Dedication, “Japanese American News,” September 26, 1959
Since 1959, the Venice Japanese Community Center, the Santa Monica Nikkeijin Kai and the West Lost Angeles Japanese American Community Center have held an annual Memorial Day Service to honor the area’s Issei pioneers and the Nisei soldiers who died in WWII and the Korean War. This year the VJCC again will take its turn -- the 16th -- to host the Memorial Day Service commemorating the 49th anniversary of the event.
The three community organizations (involving individuals from Culver City, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Venice and West Los Angeles, and collectively referred to as either the Bay Cities Japanese Community or the Crescent Bay Japanese Community) are rightfully proud of the long-standing tradition of the Memorial Day Service. “In 1952, a group of Isseis’ and Niseis’ in the Bay City area realized that persons of Japanese ancestry did not have a common site where they could gather and honor the deceased members of their communities on Memorial Day. There was a need to recognize and honor those deceased members of our community, i.e., our forefathers (Issei pioneers), our war heroes and other predecessors of Japanese ancestry.” (Bay Cities Japanese Community, 45th Anniversary Joint Memorial Day Service Program, 2007) The group planned a fundraising campaign based upon a Prospectus for Building a Monument for the Unknown Pioneers and Predecessors of Bay City:
Southern California is blessed with such a happy atmosphere, and our Nisei and their children have good positions and are able to show the world their abilities in many walks of life.
About fifty years ago, however, we were treated as undesirable immigrants and did not have as much freedom as we deserved. Fortunately, we were gifted with perseverance and bravery in our blood, and worked to cultivate the land and build up industries so that we are receiving fame and honor as an element of the Golden State. When we think of those who sacrificed themselves before they reached their goal we feel sad, and want to express our gratitude towards them-in some way-in some form.
We are planning to build a monument for those unknown pioneers and predecessors to show our impersonal love and unbreakable friendship to the world and to our future generations.
In donating for this purpose, there is no discrimination between man or woman, young or old, as the pure heart has not difference of religion or sect. This plan is under the auspices of the people who survived and their children who live in the Bay City.
It took seven years to raise the necessary funds, obtain the site for the monument, and have the monument created and shipped to Los Angeles from Nagoya, Japan. On November 22, 1959, the 20’ granite ireito (memorial tower), and companion stone lanterns, was dedicated at a ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery.
 1994 - The aftermath of the Northridge earthquake |
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| The ireito is inscribed at its base with the characters for kansha (gratitude) and ho-on (repayment of kindness), acknowledging with these four characters and two simple words the spirit of sincere appreciation for the courage shown and sacrifices made by those who established the foundation for the liberties and opportunities we now take for granted. |
Memorial Service 1994 |
Kuni Nishiya cleans the base of the monument while Kenji Koda watches with a refreshing drink |
The current ireito is not the original. The one erected in 1959 broke into three pieces as a result of the 6.9 earthquake that struck on January 17, 1994. Because the ireito was so important to the history and tradition of Japanese Americans in the area, another fundraising effort resulted in the creation of a new monument. In a thank you letter to Evergreen Monument Co. for its role in building the new monument, Kenji Koda, President of the VJCC (and representing the three sponsoring organizations), eloquently captured the wellspring of support for the endeavor: “Continuation of our legacy, which was conceived many, many years ago by our Issei’s and some of the older Nisei’s and which culminated with the dedication of a memorial monument thirty five years ago, can be maintained. Amonument paying tribute to persons of Japanese ancestry, honoring those who have gone before us and giving those, who still remain, a sense of closenessand belonging.” |
The ireito was rededicated on May 30, 1994, marking the 35th anniversary of the Memorial Day Service.
Kenji Koda speaks at the Memorial Service 2002
Especially as the VJCC is hosting this year’s Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 26, all Center members are encouraged to attend and honor the memory of those whose sacrifice provided us with the many benefits we freely enjoy today. In keeping with tradition, there is both a Christian service (9:00 a.m.) and a Buddhist service (10:00 a.m.). Woodlawn Cemetery is located in Santa Monica, on the corner of 14th Street and Pico Boulevard.
Home and Community Based Waivers – Section 2176 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act permits states to offer, under a waiver (where states can be reimbursed), a wide variety of home and community based services that an individual may need to avoid institutionalization.
Eligibility for waiver programs is limited to Medicaid recipients who, in the absence of home and community services, would require care in a long-term care facility. Services offered under the waiver program include case management, homemaker, home health aides, personal care, adult day health care, rehab, respite care and other services.
Home Health Agency – A public or private organization that provides home health services by a licensed health professional in the patient’s home directly or indirectly through other organizations.
Home Health Care – Includes a wide array of health-related services such as wound care, assistance with medications, intravenous (IV) therapy, and help with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, mobility, etc. which are delivered at a patient’s home.
Hospice – A program which provides palliative and supportive care for the terminally ill patients and their families. This can be done either directly or on a consulting basis with the patient’s physician or a community service agency. Hospice programs may be within a care facility or at home. The whole family is considered the unit of care and the care extends through their period of mourning.
Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) – A nursing home, recognized under the Medicaid program, which provides health-related care and services to individuals who do not require acute or skilled nursing care, yet because of their physical or mental condition, require care and services above the level of a room and board facility, a mid-level tier of care.
Long-Term Care (LTC) - Range of medical and/or social services designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic care needs. Services may be short- or long-term, provided in a person's home or within a community center as residential care facilities (e.g., nursing homes or assisted living facilities).
Long-Term Care Insurance - Insurance policies which cover long-term care services (such as nursing home and home care) that Medicare and Medicaid policies may not cover. Policies vary in terms of what they will cover, and may be expensive. Coverage may be denied based on health status or age.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman - An individual designated by a state or county unit responsible for investigating and resolving complaints made by or for people in long-term care facilities. The ombudsman is also responsible for monitoring federal and state policies that relate to long-term care facilities. The long-term care ombudsman program is authorized by Title III of the Older Americans Act.
The information provided on this column is intended to provide helpful health and wellness information to the general public. The information is not rendered as a medical, health, psychological or other professional diagnosis, treatment or cure and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a medical professional, who should be consulted before adopting any suggestions in this column or drawing inferences from it.
