'Humbled' crowd lauds veterans of Army's 442nd

Honolulu Advertiser ^ | 4-6-3 | Will Hoover

[bonesmccoy]

More than 1,000 people gathered yesterday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to honor members of the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team who were killed in action or are deceased.

But for many there, the ceremony was an opportunity to say thanks to team members who, during one dramatic year between June 1944 and May 1945, fought racial prejudice while making military history.

[bonesmccoy]

WWII veteran Arthur Nishimoto, 79, is all smiles at the 442nd Veterans Club 60th Anniversary reunion at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

Sen. Dan Inouye jokes with celebrants of the 60th anniversary of the 442nd Veterans Club at the USS Missouri Memorial. They were there to see the world premiere of a documentary of Inouye's life.

U.S. Army Capt. Jon Sowards of Schofield Barracks salutes during the 442nd Veterans Club reunion. More than 1,000 people attended the event at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

[rageaholic]

I was worried that America could not turn out another generation of men like these. I was wrong.

[bonesmccoy]

while the performance of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan has been remarkable, the amount of risk is incomparable.

These guys in the "greatest generation" fought a different fight and carried a different burden.

This story just archives one generation's battle.

Now, this generation faces a similar tyranny. In 1942 it was against national socialism in Europe with the irony of alliance with communist Russia. In 2002 it is against socialist regimes who have nefarious funding and a much greater degree of insertion into the US economy.

Historical analysis at this time is very difficult. We are still in the midst of this war.

I just hope that accurate historians will reflect upon our time. If we lose the fight, the history will be forgotten and lost! So, we will not lose. We will not fear.

We will be totally victorious and leave no doubt or opportunity for "spin".

[solo gringo]

I have two friends from the 442nd.What a great thrill to be called friend by them.The served thier country well and both came home to California.I salute you and THANKS.solo.

[bonesmccoy]

wow...that's a neat story!

god bless you too!

"Together we fight!"

"Go for broke!"