Image provided by National Veterans Network
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the National Veterans Network salutes all Asian Pacific American soldiers and the Japanese American WWII soldiers for their extraordinary services to the United States during World War II.
Japanese Americans have contributed to the American tapestry of our nation for 135 years. The journey started when the first Japanese laborers arrived in Hawaii in 1885 working the sugarcane fields, followed by the arrival of Japanese agricultural laborers on mainland U.S. in 1891. The Japanese "Issei" laid down their roots, started families and integrated, along with other immigrants, to American life. When World War II abruptly disrupted their lives, the Issei along with their American born Nisei children endured and persevered. Despite the discrimination, hardship and uncertainty that the war brought, they rose above the fear and prejudice and ultimately created a legacy we must preserve and pass on to future generations.
Image by National Veterans Network
This year, the National Veterans Network celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service. On September 23, 2010, the United States Congress passed S. 1055 in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. A year later, the United States Congress awarded the medal to the three units at a Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC.