Niseiposts

Nisei VFW Post 8589 Newsletter item
(Editor’s Note: This editor has received and viewed a copy of this DVD and highly recommends its acquisition. In the past, we have heard stories of the evacuation and the performance of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team separately. This DVD provides the story and the facts that led to the formation of the 100th/442 RCT and its performance by photographs as well as by word of mouth. In my opinion, the JA public has not displayed the gratitude deserved by these men who served their country so valiantly that it led to the Redress and Apology for the evacuation through House Resolution 442 and Senate Resolution 100. This Resolution also exonerated the Draft Resistors and others who protested the evacuation and were sentenced to prison for their beliefs.)

San Francisco photographer Tom Graves announces the release of An American Story, a 14-minute DVD on the history of Nisei Veterans in California. By telling the story of California’s Nisei Veterans before, during and after WWII, An American Story teaches the broader history of the Relocation and anti-Asian discrimination. An American Story grew out of research supported by the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program. Because Post 8985 was the first VFW Nisei Post in California, it features prominently in the DVD.

Tom screened An American Story to groups of veterans at the 59th Nisei VFW Reunion in Orange County in February. High school teachers have encouraged him to get the DVD into California’s classrooms, where the Relocation is part of the 11th Grade curriculum. One reviewer wrote, “This story is certainly an important part of recent American history that we cannot allow to be swept into a mere footnote. Thank you for bringing it front and center. I applaud your dedication and effort.”