Sagebrush Shinbun - New Mexico Japanese American Citizens

NEW
M EX ICO
JACL
Sagebrush Shinbun
New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League Newsletter
 For Better Americans in a Greater America 
Editors: Esther Churchwell/Erik Nishida
2014 NMJACL Board
President:
Steve Togami
VP Operations:
Keiko Johnson
Treasurer:
Calvin Kobayashi
Secretary:
Yuuki Nakayachi
VP Membership:
Esther Churchwell
Design layout/Printing: Valliant Printing
AKI MATSURI 2014
Date:
Time:
Cost:
Place:
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
$5.00 (free parking)
Natl. Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St. SW (4th & Avenida Cesar Chavez SW)
rare exhibits of body armor and swords
on display, along with books and more
history for you to experience!
and experience new cultures. In the
Land of Enchantment, the New Mexico
(NMJACL) will host its annual Aki Matsuri
experience. Thousands of participants
attend this event every year from all over
the State and we hope you can join us
this year and learn about “Bushido: The
Way of the Warrior!”
Bushido is an unwritten code of conduct
for the Samurai social class of Japan,
developed between the 16th and 20th
Centuries.
By combining Confucian
values and Buddhism, which emphasizes
loyalty, obedience, duty, honor, and
Throughout
the
day,
if
you
are
feeling a little more adventurous, the
Exhibition Pavilion will have hands-on
demonstrations in origami, caricature
(...continued on page 15 )
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
NMJACL is a 501(c)(3) Organization
www.nmjacl.org
behavior, this year’s Aki Matsuri will have
I
(Fall Festival) for people of all ages to
Web Master:
Glenn Eguchi
important way of life in ancient Japan.
over the country to try new foods
VP Special Events:
Erik Nishida
Liaison, Anti-Hate Program:
Sei Tokuda
selflessness, bushido was created as an
t’s festival season! People gather all
Japanese American Citizens League
Honorary Board Member:
Mary Burnett de Gomez
President, JASNM, Inc
August 2014
To learn more on this chivalrous code of
VP Marketing& Publicity:
Michael Sepulveda
Members-At-Large:
Jennifer Yazawa
Victor Yamada
www.nmjacl.org
Aki Matsuri 2014
............................. page 1
Kakehashi Project
............................ page 3
Welcome back to the
Homestead .... page 5
In Memoriam
NMJACL goes to Natl.
Convention..... page 12
NMJACL Receives
Grant Award page 18
................................. page 13
NMJACL
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
28; it’s the last Sunday in September and
Japanese culture with Albuquerque and
our Aki Matsuri! Your NMJACL board
New Mexico. While the board members
members have been busy preparing for
spend countless hours preparing for
this year’s festival, there are performers
Aki Matsuri, we cannot do it alone.
to schedule, vendor booths to rent,
We need everyone to come forward
program ads to sell and volunteers
and contribute to the success of our
to sign up. We’ve had a great group
festival. Please contact Jennifer about
hope everyone is enjoying their
of members that are spreading flyers
volunteering, even a couple hours
summer and welcoming the New
throughout Albuquerque – thank you
would be a great help.
Mexico monsoon season!
The
to Lois Kennedy for her never ending
See you soon!
weeds in my backyard are doing great!
energy to hand out flyers to everyone
July has flown by, school will be starting
she meets.
HELLO!
I
soon and Aki Matsuri will be here before
As I mentioned, we’re ready to signThis festival is an
- Steve Togami
a
we know it. I hope everyone has marked
up volunteers.
their calendar for Sunday, September
opportunity for NMJACL to share the
BACKGROUND ON
SOME ARTICLES IN
THIS ISSUE
If you missed the June issue of the
organized by the City of Clovis over a
Sagebrush Shinbun, we had an article
period of several days, and the honored
in there about the plight of a former
recipients’ personal impression on their
Clovis, NM, resident (Dr. Roy Ebihara)
return to their birthplace.
and his family at the onset of WWII,
and how the City of Clovis had planned
on welcoming him and two other
F
irst of all,
NMJACL’s annual
fundraising AKI MATSURI 2014
is just around the corner ~
please mark your calendar for Sunday,
September 28, 2014 at the National
Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th St.
SW, Exit West off of I-25 on Avenida
Cesar Chavez to the corner of 4th St.
SW) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Please pass
the word around and come out to enjoy
a day of Japanese Cultural Sharing.
survivors of a large Japanese American
family for their annual Pioneer Days
festivities. Several NMJACLers
from
Albuquerque made the trip to witness
this “homecoming.” They included
Dr. Andrew Russell, principal lead for
NMJACL’s
internment
camp
grant
project, Dr. Sei Tokuda, Gordon and
Lois Kennedy, and Esther Churchwell.
The
stories
in
this
current
issue
describes the “atmosphere” of what
transpired during this amazing event
2
Another article is a follow-up to
NMJACL’s first participant in National
JACL’s “Kakehashi Project: The Bridge
for Tomorrow,” which earned him a
free, all expense-paid trip to Japan in
July 2014 with an impressive essay
entry following the application phase.
This was Joseph Day’s first trip to Japan
and he describes his trip in this issue.
There are definite benefits for youths in
JACL just for becoming members.
a
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
KAKEHASHI
PROJECT: JAPAN
YOUTH TRIP
off the plane into the terminal hall.
respectful atmosphere set in the serene
All the advertisements featured Asian
backdrop of the rolling green country side
people. Now conceptually speaking this
just sets a mind at ease.
would be obvious, but it’s not something
I had considered before arriving. It’s the
concept that officially let it sink in; I was
in another country.
By Joseph Day
W
your trip to Japan?” I am
at a loss for words and I
don’t know where to begin other then
mentioning the ambient beauty of the
country. The land is absolutely covered
in lush trees. Squeezed between the
abundant green are buildings that appear
to make the most of the space they are
given and the architecture is inexplicably
Japanese: harmonizing with the life
around it.
has changed me. Whilst on my trip I tried
three things I never thought I’d try. First
off, I ate a snail. Surprisingly it was quite
As the days passed we visited temples
good. I also went to an onsen, or bath
and museums and participated in many
house. It was actually quite relaxing to sit
cultural activities traveling from Tokyo,
in the hot water and steam for a while.
to Shin-Osaka, on to Kyoto and back
Last but not least, during Karaoke I ended
to Tokyo. One thing that was clear
up singing a sweet duet of “Desperado”
everywhere we went was that there was
by The Eagles with Masatsugu Mikami,
a very apparent community mindedness
a student of Doshisha University. I’m not
to the people of Japan. It’s something not
much of a singer but that moment was
really found in America that can’t really
nothing short of glorious.
be fully described. The streets are barren
hen people ask, “how was
On a personal level I feel as though Japan
of graffiti and litter. Small children walk
unattended and safe through the city.
The people are courteous and respectful
of one another. There is something
so peaceful about Japan. I believe this
community mindset is something that
stems centuries back. In the ancient art
of meditation there is a way that has
been mistranslated and misunderstood.
According to the monk at Shunkoin
Temple, the concept of emptying one’s
mind while meditating is not to try to
think of nothing. That’s impossible.
A good place to begin is probably from
The goal is to empty the mind of ego.
the beginning. I was struck immediately
This ingrained concept of selflessness is
by culture shock the moment I stepped
prevalent throughout the culture. The
Before my trip I had thought going to
Japan might be cool but I never would
have really gone out of my way to travel
there. Now I simply must return someday.
I remember a time when I had the
excitement only a child could have about
my Japanese heritage. It mostly stemmed
from the fact that I knew that samurai
swords and ninjas came from there but I
eventually grew to appreciate much more
than that. Over the years it’s easy to lose
some of that kind of awe and wonder, but
this trip has rejuvenated that feeling of
pride and excitement of ancestry. I can’t
help but feel the need to carry on the
(...continued on next page )
GOLDEN PAVILION (KINKAKUJI TEMPLE)
3
NMJACL
the chance. When he heard that his son
I would like to take this opportunity to
Japanese tradition. It became apparent
was going to visit Japan, through teary
thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
that Japanese culture is being lost under
eyes he expressed his sentiment that
the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission,
an urban setting and Americanization.
he was happy that his kin would carry
the Japan International Cooperation,
The college students over there were very
on his unaccomplished goal. Yoshiko
the Laurasion Institution, and finally
surprised to find that I had done Taiko
Imazato-san, our guide and translator
the Japanese American Citizens League
and practiced martial arts for it seemed
told us she had never really seen herself
for this unbelievable and life changing
just as foreign to them as it is to my
as Japanese, but after her time with us
opportunity. I am humbled and can’t
American peers.
her perspective had changed and she
express my gratitude enough. Thank you.
(...continued from page 3 )
identified as Japanese. One of my fellow
On the final day there was a real focus on
participants, Jenna Mukai , was of Korean
self identity. Floyd Shimomura, prominent
lineage however was adopted into a
figure of the JA community, also one of
Japanese American family. Through this
our chaperones, told the participants of
she identifies as Nikkei. I myself, although
the Kakehashi Project of his grandfather,
I am but a quarter Japanese, identify
a man he had never seen cry. He
myself as Nikkei as well and am proud to
had always intended to return to his
have, in a way, returned to the land of my
homeland of Japan however never got
ancestors.
ONE OF THE MEALS SERVED
KAKEHASHI PARTICIPANTS AT THE CONSUL GENERAL’S RESIDENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO
4
a
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
WELCOME BACK TO
THE HOMESTEAD
S
aturday, June 7, 2014, was Clovis,
New Mexico’s 44th annual Pioneer
Days Parade. Their theme of,
“Welcome Back to the Homestead,”
was quite a heartwarming invitation to
their guests. It was specifically directed
towards three members of two Japanese
American families who were once
residents of Clovis prior to the onset of
WWII but forcibly removed from the town
that was their birth place and “home.”
to them. As young children, they did not
know what was happening or what they
had done to be driven from their homes
in the middle of the night.As the town’s
history notes, one year after Clovis was
incorporated as a locomotive town, the
first recorded Japanese immigrant to
work for the Santa Fe Railway was in
1910, a Kizo Nishibara. Mr. NIshibara
worked hard at various low-level jobs for
the railroad until he rose to a prestigious
position of locomotive painter in 1920.
Subsequently, more Japanese American
families relocated to Clovis, living rentfree in housing quarters provided by
the railway outside of town, just south
of the train tracks, in a section known
as Japanese or Jap Camp. The town
was segregated with all none-white
individuals and families living outside of
the town-proper.
During a nationwide railway strike in
1922, the Japanese workers did not take
part in a shop walk-out or march through
the center of town as their non-Japanese
counterparts did, resulting in special
recognition by the Santa Fe Railway for
their loyalty and their non-participatory
actions during the strike. Many of the
Japanese men eventually rose to high
positions such as machinists.
When the bombing of Pearl Harbor
occurred in Hawaii on December
7, 1941, anti-Japanese sentiments
became an “all time high” in Clovis.
To make matters worse, many Clovis
men were serving with the New Mexico
National Guard in the Philippines at the
time and so local family, friends and
coworkers were even more angered by
the Japanese in their community. Late
in the evening of January 23, 1942, the
entire Japanese community was taken
into federal custody and whisked away
to safety before a lynch mob could get
to them. They were taken to the Old
Raton Ranch near Ft. Stanton. Records
the “Welcome Back to the Homestead”
festivities that were planned in their
honor between June 5-8, 2014.
As reported in the June 2014 issue of
NMJACL’s Sagebrush Shinbun, a former
student, Adrian Chavez, initially from
Clovis, heard about the plight of these
Japanese families during WWII while
taking a class at Central New Mexico
Community College. He had not heard
any of this history while growing up in
Clovis and made a trip to his hometown
to inquire from others about what
they could tell him of the events that
occurred more than 70 years ago with
the Japanese railway workers and
their families. He subsequently made
PHOTO BY GARY FUJII
The sign on the front of the float reads: “Sponsored by NMJACL.”
Aiko Ebihara (also a NMJACLer) is sitting at the front of the float, with Lois Kennedy sitting at the back of
the float and Esther Churchwell standing with the umbrella. Japanese-American families from Cannon AFB
are seated in the center of the float.
showed that the Japanese community in
Clovis numbered 10 men, 5 women and
17 children but it is uncertain whether
this was before or after a couple of
the families left to return to Japan or
elsewhere prior to the forced removal
on January 23, 1942. Of the remaining
families, Dr. Roy Ebihara of Oberlin,
Ohio, and the Kimura siblings, Lillie
Kimura Kiyokawa and Fred Kimura of
Portland, Oregon, returned to Clovis for
5
additional trips to Clovis after learning
more information from instructors and
his own “investigative” research, and
approached NMJACL for assistance in
attempting to “right a wrong” that was
done to the Japanese who were unjustly
removed from their homes in his own
community. CLOE (Confinement in the
Land of Enchantment) project members
met with Mr. Chavez to share some of
(...continued on next page )
NMJACL
their own research information with
him, including a letter written by Dr.
Ebihara’s older brother, Henry Ebihara,
who has since passed away. That letter
questioned whether the City of Clovis
would ever welcome his family back
for his high school reunion in 1993.
skirt of the float. Dr. Ebihara’s wife, Aiko
Ebihara, sat at the front of the float
while a couple of Japanese residents
from Cannon Air Force Base and their
children dressed in kimono rode in the
center, with NMJACLers, Lois Kennedy
and Esther Churchwell riding at the
PHOTO BY GARY FUJII
Honorary Grand Marshalls of the Pioneer Days Parade, June 7, 2014, in Clovis, NM
Left to Right: Dr. Roy Ebihara of Oberlin, Ohio, Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa of Portland, Oregon, and her younger
brother, Fred Kimura, also of Portland, OR.
Mr. Chavez presented this letter to the
Mayor and City Council members, and
convinced them that they should extend
an invitation to Dr. Ebihara and others
to “welcome” them back to Clovis and
apologize for what the Japanese families
endured during WWII. The invitation
went out to Dr. Ebihara, and word also
got out to the Kimura family in Portland,
Oregon, via NMJACLer, Lois Kennedy,
whose aunt is a close friend of Lillie
Kimura Kiyokawa.
When Adrian Chavez learned that the
City of Clovis was planning to “welcome
back” Dr. Ebihara and the Kimura
siblings as Honorary Grand Marshalls
for their annual Pioneer Days events,
he solicited NMJACL’s sponsorship for
a float in the parade. A couple of Mr.
Chavez’s friends designed and built the
float which was beautifully decorated
with Japanese lanterns and tiny sakura
or cherry blossom flowers glued to the
rear of the float during the long parade
through downtown Clovis. Following
the parade and judging of the parade
entries, Adrian Chavez accepted a First
Place trophy on behalf of NMJACL in
a special entry category. The honored
guests nor JACLers who attended the
events were aware of the trophy until it
was presented to the membership during
a farewell dinner for our guests the
evening before they left Albuquerque.
Attached in this issue are brief
impressions of the events from each
of the esteemed guests. Along with
serving as Honorary Grand Marshalls of
the Pioneer Day Parade, Dr. Roy Ebihara,
Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa, and Fred Kimura
were each were presented with a Key to
the City and hosted to lunches and other
events during the festivities that were
arranged in their honor. An apology
was also extended to them by the City
of Clovis, with amazing coverage of
6
all the events including photographs
and stories in the local newspaper, the
Clovis News Journal for several days, as
well as news broadcast in the evening
by a neighboring television station from
Amarillo, Texas.
A touching article appeared in the Clovis
News Journal related to a childhood
friend of Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa who
always wondered where she was,
how she was doing, and whether she
survived the internment camps. This
friend tried searching for Lillie over the
years but passed away before she could
be reunited with her dear friend who
gave her a keepsake doll dressed in a red
kimono when they were youngsters in
Clovis prior to WWII. However, to Lillie’s
surprise, this friend’s children heard
about her whereabouts and arranged
to meet with her when she traveled to
Clovis to share their mother’s memories
and photographs with her.
Another touching moment was when a
Colonel from Cannon Air Force offered
an open invitation to Fred Kimura to tour
the base any time before he left, just by
mentioning his name to gain entry onto
the base at the front gate, after learning
that Fred went on to serve in the U.S.
Army despite his internment in camps by
the U.S. government as a child.
Dr. Ebihara reported that people came
up to them along the parade route to say
that they were sorry for what happened,
and he responded with, “Please don’t
be. Just welcome me home and I’m
happy.” In addition, on the way to
the cemetery where two of his older
siblings are buried, Roy stopped at a
fast food establishment to take a picture
of the marquee that noted, “Welcome
Home Dr. Ebihara.” The owner of the
establishment came out to greet him and
was honored that Roy saw the message
and stopped to acknowledge it.
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
On the final day of the events, the First
Baptist Church held a special community
day activity entitled, “A Day of Cultural
Reconciliation,” and invited anyone in
the community to share in their Sunday
service with their guests of honor, the
Mayor and Council members. This moving
service with streaming photographs of
the Japanese railway men and pre-WWII
period on large screens was followed by
a large reception with scrumptious food,
entertainment and program organized
by the congregation for the former
residents of Clovis who had attended
their church before their forced removal
over 70 years ago.
Following their return to Albuquerque,
the group traveled to Gallup on Monday,
June 9th to visit with the brother and
wife of Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa’s former
friends when she lived in Gallup briefly,
Hershey and Terry Miyamura. That
Trophy NMJACL won for Pioneer Days Parade:
Left to Right: Steve Togami, Adrian Chavez
same evening, NMJACL hosted these
esteemed visitors to a buffet dinner
for a “meet and greet” session with
our members and friends before their
departure the following day back to their
respective homes in Ohio and Oregon.
Dr. Roy Ebihara was accompanied by his
wife, Aiko, with Aiko’s nephew and his
wife, David and Deirdre Tanaka flying
out from Lake Forest, Illinois, to witness
the festivities with them.
Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa was escorted by
her daughter, Shirley Kiyokawa Glos,
while Fred Kimura traveled with his wife,
Kiyomi, and their daughter Jennifer
Kimura.
the same ancestry as the enemy of the
United States during WWII. The present
members and citizens of the City of
Clovis acknowledged the “wrong”
PHOTO BY JENNIFER YAZAWA
Farewell dinner with NMJACL members:
Front row: Esther Churchwell, Lillie Kimura Kiyokawa, Dr. Roy Ebihara, Aiko Ebihara, Fred Kimura, Dr. Sei
Tokuda. Standing: Steve Togami (President NMJACL), April and Adrian Chavez, Shirley Kiyokawa Glos,
Victor Yamada, Cyn Asao, Leesa Cabrera.
A nephew of Lillie’s and Fred’s, Gary Fujii,
made the trip from Sacramento, CA, to
visit his mother’s birthplace and witness
an apology on behalf of his mother,
Blanche Eiko Kimura Fujii who passed
away about 14 years ago. Blanche
Fujii reportedly stayed behind with her
mother when the forced removal of the
Japanese colony from Clovis occurred
as the mother had just given birth to
another child. Although the delivery was
assisted by another woman in camp,
Mrs. Kimura was sent to a small hospital
in town which no longer exists in Clovis.
This “Welcome Back to the Homestead”
reception appeared to be a very rare
and unheard of event whereby an entire
community, the City of Clovis, New
Mexico, came together to honor and
offer a sincere apology to the surviving
members of families who were forced
to leave their homes in the middle
of the night 72 years ago. They had
done nothing wrong nor committed
any crimes to have been incarcerated
for several years, other than being of
7
that had been done by their ancestors
and predecessors and organized special
events that spanned several days in an
attempt to apologize for the wrongdoings of WWII and welcome their
honored guests back to their birthplace
~ and what a memorable welcome these
guests received.
a
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Rio Rancho - (505) 917-9344
www.ARMedical.com
“We Supply Your
Independence”
NMJACL
Dr. Roy Ebihara’s
Impressions of
His Return Trip to
Clovis, NM
Prior to the days before leaving Ohio to
a long ago relationship of a Clovisite
go to Clovis, I had no idea what was
and Lil Kimura Kiyokawa.
in store for Aiko and me, other then
knowing that I would share with Lil
Kiyokawa and Fred Kimura the role of
being the Honorary Grand Marshalls
in the big parade. But the meetings
on the agenda allowed us to meet and
W
greet so many people who cherished
It had to be a special thing to have
the opportunity to participate in the
celebration of Clovis’s major event, The
Annual Pioneer Days festivities. The
warm greetings of “Welcome Home”
and the expressions of apologies for
what transpired over 73 years ago from
hen my brother Hiroshi
the memories of being acquainted
raised the question in
with my older brothers and sisters and
1993 whether we would
members of the Kimura family. Even
The trip and events of the 3 days in
ever be truly welcomed back to Clovis,
Mayor Lansford related that his mother
Clovis put a wonderful closure to my
the answer on June 8, 2014 was a
knew a girl name Kathy Ebihara who
early life. Unfortunately, my brother,
resounding “yes”. The mayor, the
shared a desk with her in the fourth
Hiroshi, (deceased) could not be there
city administrators, the Chamber of
grade. After December 7, 1941, she
to
Commerce, The Baptist Church and the
never saw Kathy again, and missed her
greetings.
many other fine people of Clovis could
very much. Editor David Stevens of the
not have been more accommodating
Clovis News Journal touched us all with
and gracious.
his article of the heartwarming story of
8
so many were touching.
accept
the
“Welcome
a
Home”
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
Fred Kimura’s
Impression of
“Welcome Back to
the Homestead”
of Clovis pin from Commissioner
was thrilled when Colonel Tony
Fidel Madrid.
Bauernfeind
• Dad enjoyed the luncheon at
the Norman Petty Museum and
meeting and talking more with the
Mayor, Commissioners and citizens
of Clovis.
J
interviewed her father, Fred Kimura,
to get his thoughts and impressions
of his return to Clovis, NM, in early
June 2014. Following is a narrative, as
reported by Jennifer:
Dad never really talked or shared much
of his experiences as a 7 year old child in
Clovis. In fact, when my cousin Shirley
and Auntie Lil traveled back to Clovis,
27th
Special
Operations Wing Commander of the
Cannon Air Force Base introduced
himself and invited Dad to tour the
Cannon AFB. Unfortunately, we
were unable to fit the tour into our
schedule.
• The invitation from Randy Dunson,
ennifer Kimura, Fred’s daughter,
–
RR Historian and his wife Nancy to
their home to view old Sante Fe RR
photos. Dad and Auntie Lil were
able to identify their Father in a
photo from 1924 of the Sante Fe RR
Roundhouse Workers.
• Visiting and putting flowers on the
grave site of his oldest sister, Akiko
Kimura, who passed at the age of 4
days old in 1924.
• Dad enjoyed the Clovis Rodeo and
then sitting next to Mayor Lansford
at the First Baptist Church Service,
and was extremely proud to receive
a Key to the City of Clovis from the
Mayor at the Church Banquet.
• Meeting, talking and having lunch
with Hershey and his wife. Dad was
immediately taken with Hershey’s
memory and humbleness.
• Dad very much enjoyed talking with
NM about 10 years ago and told us
• The tour of the Railroad property
about their experiences, Dad told me
(thanks to Roger Bannister) where
that he did not want to go back to his
Dad began to remember things
place of birth.
from his childhood (initially, he
Though my Dad was reluctant to
didn’t think he’d remember much
return to Clovis, his trip back was very
at all), seeing the tunnel that he
satisfying, full of unexpected emotions
and his siblings walked thru in
and memories from his childhood that
order to cross under the RR tracks
he did not think he would recall. He
to go to school, and recollecting the
very much enjoyed talking and meeting
vicinity of where their home - (3)
the people of Clovis and was touched by
boxcars, was located. After seeing
their welcoming ways and friendliness.
When we heard the news about the
events of the Clovis Pioneer Days, I was
surprised to hear that Dad asked Mom
to look into booking a flight. Dad said
his main reason for returning to Clovis,
NM was to accept the City of Clovis’
apology on behalf of his Father and
Mother – Tamon and Harue Kimura.
To Dad, it was his parents that were
affected and suffered most from the
events of the past. Dad wanted to travel
back to Clovis for them.
Highlights:
• Attending
the rotating trestle, Dad recalled
the Roundhouse (now demolished)
where his Father worked as a
Machinist.
of his Father and Mother, the place he
was born, the place where his Family
home at the age of 81 years old and be
Parade, and serving as a Grand
welcomed with open arms, was truly a
Marshall with his sister was a very
priceless journey- he has come full circle.
Meeting, meeting the Mayor and
enjoyed riding in the convertible car.
Commissioners and receiving a City
For Dad, to go back to Clovis on behalf
• Being a part of the Clovis Days
special event for Dad. He really
City
the NMJACL.
was abruptly removed from, to travel
Council
the
everyone and the dinner put on by
• On the day of the Parade, Dad
9
a
NMJACL
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
Asians in America: Diverse Voices - Instructor: Shirley (Nikki ) Louis, Ph.D.
Public Speaking - Instructor: China Billotte Verhoff (Communication & Journalism)
Asian Americans are now the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States. Yet, their
stories are little known. In this class, you will interview members of New Mexico's diverse
Asian American community and present an oral history project of your own design (using
videography, photography, graphics, live performance, multimedia). In the process, you will
learn aspects of American History, New Mexico History, and World History, as well as sharpen
your writing and communication skills. Your instructor, Shirley (Nikki) Louis, is an actor,
playwright, director, and creative writing teacher. She spent part of her childhood in a prison
camp in Idaho for Japanese Americans during WW II. Her current research centers around the
WW II prison camps of New Mexico, particularly the Santa Fe Internment Camp, where her
father was incarcerated during WW II.
FIELD TRIPS * GUEST SPEAKERS * MENTORS & FACILITATORS *
COMMUNITY OUTREACH * ASIAN FOOD!
PUBLIC SPEAKING is a required class. It will prepare you for the presentation of your oral
history project. In these back-to-back classes, you will have the luxury of two 75-minute
classes enlivened by two different but collaborative teaching approaches. Both instructors are
dedicated to creating an environment in the classroom that fosters trust, a sense of community,
and a willingness to "play" with trial and error.
Fall down seven times. Get up eight. ~ Japanese proverb
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1,..,/28,[email protected]
[email protected]
&+,1$%,//277(9(5+2))[email protected]
10
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
Lillie Kimura
Kiyokawa’s
Impressions of Her
Clovis, NM Trip
my mother’s last memory of the only
“Welcome home”.
home she had ever known.
groomed and adorned her sister’s grave
72 years later we learned Clovis was
extending a hand in reconciliation.
The annual Pioneer Days theme was,
“Welcome Home to the Homestead”.
Given my mother’s history in Clovis you
can understand her reservations about
T
he following description of Lillie
Kiyokawa’s impressions of her
trip to Clovis was submitted by
her daughter, Shirley Kiyokawa Glos:
When my mother, Lillie Kimura, left
Clovis in 1942 it was under the cover
of darkness. A vigilante group of gun
toting men was intent on harming
the occupants of Clovis’ Japanese
compound
on
railroad
grounds.
Instructed to douse headlights and
accompanied by armed guards, the
caravan headed into the darkness of
the New Mexico landscape. That was
returning to the town. With assurance
that several members of our family
would accompany both she and my
uncle they reluctantly agreed to attend.
in the local cemetery.
wife’s behalf, while she awaited surgery
in the local hospital, to deliver a CD of
Classical piano music she had recorded
and wanted to give to her friend, Lillie.
A bountiful potluck luncheon that was
prepared by the members of the 1st
Baptist Church. Viewing the lovely float
sponsored by the Albuquerque JACL. A
key to the city presented by the Clovis
My mother describes the trip as
mayor, a private tour of the railroad
“dreamlike”.
yard, and so much more.
She could not name
one event more special than any other.
Grown children of former classmates
traveled to Clovis with photos and
stories of friendships that were never
forgotten, the woman who looked for
Lillie by searching the local phone-book
for Kimuras wherever her travels lead.
Townspeople greeted her with a warm,
In an era where few want to take
responsibility, it’s truly remarkable that
an entire community would want to
reconcile an injustice that happened so
many years ago. How sweet it was for
my mother to hear words of contrition
that have brought peace and closure in
(...continued on page 12 )
State Farm®
Providing Insurance
and Financial Services
Home Office,
Bloomington, Illinois
61710
Japanese Embroidery Studio
Come Learn the Beautiful
Art of Silk Embroidery!
9 El Arco Iris Drive
Roswell, NM 88201
A gentleman
waited at the 1st Baptist church on his
AZUMI
Phone: (575) 623-3146
Duane: (575) 313-3535
Kathryn: (575) 313-6193
Two individuals
Lanell Anderson
Insurance Agency Inc
photo by M. Burnett de Gomez
Hanayagi
The
Japanese Garden Shop, Inc.
The
Art of
Japan
[email protected]
2935 Louisiana Blvd. NE,
www.hanayagi.net
.
11
Lanell Anderson
Agent
Albuquerque, NM
87110
Bus: 505-881-0550
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505.291.1177
NMJACL
NMJACL DELEGATES
GO TO NATIONAL
JACL CONVENTION
Evening events were enjoyable - Calvin
attended the Hiroshima concert that
featured the ensemble’s pop, world
music, jazz, incorporating traditional
Japanese instruments (koto, flute, etc.)
The California based group, founded by
Sansei, is still performing after 30 years
C
Victor
Victor attended the Valley of the Heart
Yamada represented NMJACL
play which told the story of an Issei
at National JACL Convention
strawberry farmer in Santa Clara Valley
in San Jose. July 9 - 13. Overall we
with a Chicano family of workers.
were reminded of the good work JACL
Just before the war breaks out, the
has done & continues to do to secure
daughter of the Japanese family &
equal treatment & social justice for
son of the Chicano family fall in love.
all. The organization also focuses on
When the Japanese family goes away
preservation of our legacy, heritage,
to internment camp, the Chicano family
and cultural values.
Honors given to
operates the farm. The play dramatically
many JACL heroes in the community,
presented the respective fates of 2
military, politics, and other activities
families during the war years.
alvin
Kobayashi
&
were well deserved and very moving.
Check with Calvin or Victor on more
National Council sessions covered many
details. Overall Convention news will
business matters on JACL issues and
be provided in an upcoming Pacific
activities.
Citizen.
JACL
Importantly for NMJACL,
unanimously
approved
our
Chapter’s move to Southwest District
from the Midwest District.
Thanks
Thanks to the San Jose JACL for doing a
great job hosting the Convention!”
to David Kawamoto and others who
a
formally proposed & supported this
action.
LILLIE KIMURA KIYOKAWA’S IMPRESSIONS... CONTINUED FROM PG. 11
her life.
From Clovis we traveled to Gallup. My
with these two humble and gracious
people.
mother had been sent to Gallup to take
The trip to New Mexico ended with
piano lessons from the Miyamura sisters.
an evening of camaraderie with the
She learned that the women had both
Albuquerque JACL. It was the perfect
passed, but spent the afternoon with
way to cap off a life-changing journey.
“Hershey” Miyamura and his lovely wife
Terry. It was an honor to spend time
a
12
1. Obon Dancer at Banquet
2.Opening Reception in San Jose City Hall
3. Valley of the Heart Play Poster
4. David Kawamoto (rt.) and Victor (ctr.) at
Nation Council
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
IN MEMORIAM
N
Martial Arts and Japanese
Drumming Classes
Web: www.bkwow.com
E-mail: [email protected]
MJACL lost a long time friend
recently who always had a smile
on his face and a helping hand to
lend whenever you needed one. He was
almost like a “permanent fixture” at every
Aki Matsuri and several other events that
NMJACL participated in for over a decade,
and you could always count on LEROY
GALLEGOS to help you unload or load
items that you were struggling with if he
was nearby. Mr. Gallegos and his wife,
Frances, generally accompanied their daughter, Anita Lee Gallegos, instructor
of Bushido Kenkyukai Karate and Taiko, whenever she performed locally and
offered to help others in any way he could. You did not have to look around for
or ask for any assistance; he would just show up next to you and start helping
with whatever you were doing; you rarely saw him idle while others around him
were working.
He fought a courageous battle to beat his cancer and just when you thought he
had won, it came back with a vengeance quickly and unexpectedly. Our sincere
condolences go out to his family and close friends.
ALBUQUERQUE
.
88 Louisiana Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 268-0206
SANTA FE
505 Cerrillos Rd. Ste. B-101
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 780-5073
13
NMJACL
NEW COMMEMORATIVE U.S.
POSTAL STAMP FEATURES
HERSHEY MIYAMURA
life, above and beyond the call of duty.” The Medal of Honor
is the highest award for military valor.
New Mexico’s Japanese-American honoree, Hershey Miyamura,
has been recognized during numerous events ever since he
was presented the coveted Medal of Honor by then President
Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 1953 at the White House.
T
hirteen individuals pictured on a newly released Korean
War Medal of Honor pane on the U.S. Postal Service
stamp includes New Mexico’s only Japanese American
Medal of Honor recipient, Hershey Miyamura of Gallup.
Hersey Miyamura joined the US Army in January 1945 and volunteered for the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion. He was subsequently discharged from active duty following Japan’s surrender during WWII and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. Hershey
was called to active duty at the start of the Korean War and
became a prisoner of war for 28 months in North Korea but
not before gallantly defending his post, fighting off the enemy
and ordering his partially decimated unit to withdraw to safety
as he stood his ground and continued fighting. He endured the
torture, starvation and adverse conditions for more than 2 years
and later learned that his remaining unit did make it to safety
while he held off the enemy before his capture.
Clockwise from upper left, these men are Hector A. Cafferata
Jr., William R. Charette, Duane E. Dewey, Rodolfo P. Hernandez,
Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr., Einar H. Ingman Jr., Hiroshi H.
Miyamura, Ola L. Mize, Ronald E. Rosser, Tibor Rubin, Robert
Simanek, James L. Stone, and Ernest E. West.
NMJACL and friends of Hershey Miyamura congratulates him
on this latest recognition of his bravery and service to our country.
However, four of the thirteen honorees - William Charette,
Rodolfo Hernandez, Ola Mize and James Stone - passed
away before the two commemorative Forever stamps were
introduced during a special ceremony at the Arlington National
Cemetery Amphitheater in Arlington, Va. on July 26, 2014.
a
The two stamps each depict a different medal. The only
difference in design from last year’s World War II Medal of
Honor stamps is that the year reflects a 2014 issue.
One stamp shows the Navy version of the Medal of Honor and
the other pictures the Army version. The images each show
the full medal and part of the medal’s ribbon against a black
background.
An inscription that appears above the pane of the 18 stamps
honoring the selected Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
reads, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
14
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
Congratulations NM-JACL !
N
ew Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of
Cultural Affairs announced in May the awarding of
over $5,000 in support of Aki Matsuri 2014. This
is a reimbursement grant, which means we have to spend
NM-JACL’s own monies in showcasing the artistic and cultural
aspects of our festival. New Mexico Arts will then reimburse
NM-JACL the amount we spent up to $5,176.00
what we initially asked for, but we will be applying what we
have learned from this experience to future grant-seeking. We
We are very pleased to receive this award after all the hard
hope that next year we will be awarded an even larger sum.
work of researching and writing that went into submitting
the application. The $5,176 is only a bit more than a third of
a
AKI MATSURI 2014 continued from page 1 ......
drawings, and shuji (Japanese calligraphy). Japanese car clubs
will be showcasing vehicles and vendors from the Southwest
region will be offering a variety of Japanese items. Meanwhile,
on the central stage, numerous performers and martial arts
demonstrations will be taking place. Performances consist
of (but not limited to) Okinawa and Japanese dancing, taiko
+
(Japanese drumming), Japanese shigin (poetry singing), folk
+
+
singing, Japanese-American children song and dance numbers,
and a cosplay contest. We are excited about the line-up of
DIGITAL COPYING • OFFSET PRINTING
these talented performers and hope you can catch all the acts!
GRAPHIC DESIGN • BUSINESS SERVICES
If you develop an appetite during any of these events, we
DOCUMENT BINDING • SIGNS & BANNERS
have you covered! There will be plenty of food options for
SCANNING & ARCHIVING
you; delicious food items such as Japanese lunch plates, spam
FREE PICK-UP & DELIVERY
musubi, and shaved ice!
615 Gold Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
T 505.247.4175
F 505.246.8891
www.valliantprinting.com
[email protected]
We hope to see you at this year’s Aki Matsuri!!
a
SERVING NEW MEXICO FOR OVER 95 YEARS
15
NMJACL
NMJACLER SELECTED
TO SING THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PROJECT AIMS TO SHED LIGHT
ON WWII CAMPS
FORT COLLINS, COLO. (KRQE) –
Fort Stanton.
new project aims to raise
public
awareness
about
four Japanese American
confinement camps in New Mexico
during World War II. A partnership
between the New Mexico Chapter
of the Japanese American Citizens
League and the Public Lands History
Center out of Colorado State
University organized the project.
Now, it’s gaining momentum with
a nearly $200,000 grant from the
National Park Service.
It’s why those who feel passionately
about this unique history are
working to increase awareness with
historic markers, a public outreach
publication and a website.
A
N
MJACLer, Yoko Tadda, was
recently
informed
of
her
selection to sing the National
Anthem at the Lobo Women’s Basketball
game on 12/14/2014 against UTEP.
Yoko is a very talented singer with a
specialty in Shigin, the art of poetry
singing, and has impressed our Aki
Matsuri crowds for years during the
opening ceremony with her rendition
of the National Anthem. She has
also volunteered her talents with her
shigin and Japanese classic folk songs
throughout the program each year.
Congratulations to Yoko Tadda for
this distinguished selection by the
University of New Mexico to sing the
National Anthem at the Lobo Women’s
Basketball game on 12/14/2014. Be
sure to mark your calendar to attend this
game, and see her up close at NMJACL’s
Aki Matsuri on Sunday, September 28,
2014 at the National Hispanic Cultural
Center.
a
“We think this is an important
piece of New Mexico’s identity and
heritage,” says Confinement in
the Land of Enchantment Principal
Investigator Sarah Payne.
It’s a dark history some New
Mexicans don’t even know about.
Four confinement camps were built
from Santa Fe to Lincoln County,
where the Department of Justice held
Japanese Americans captive during
World War II.
“Once Pearl Harbor was bombed,
they immediately had a mechanism
to arrest and round up hundreds of
thousands of people they already had
under suspicion,” explains Payne.
While children might learn a little bit
about confinement camps in school,
it’s not history you can easily recognize
on New Mexico’s landscape.
“At the site where Camp Lordsburg
was, this is all private property now,
so you can’t go visit it, you can’t see
what little does remain there,” Payne
says.
The one in Santa Fe is a suburban
development, but there is a
monument there. Yet, you’ll find
nothing at the Old Raton Ranch or at
16
“Our project wants to make that
history a little bit more visible and we
also think that it’s just an important,
it’s an important topic of conversation
in our current political climate,”
Payne explains.
Payne says they want to convey
certain themes through those
markers and publication.
“Identity, civil liberty and citizenship
and what those themes mean in
different times,” Payne says.
Now, thanks to the grant for this
project, three years in the making
is only 18 months from becoming a
reality.
“It forces us to ask really important
questions about current events and
what it means to be a citizen and
what civil liberties mean in a time of
war and a time of crisis,” says Payne.
Even though the National Park Service
has awarded the grant, the group still
has to raise more cash. The rule is,
the grant must be partially matched –
a dollar for every two dollars of grant
money. That comes out to between
$94,000 and $95,000.
The project is one of 21 Japanese
American Confinement Sites that
received grant money. In total, the
National Park Service awarded $2.9
million this year.
a
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC) presents…
July, August, & September
Date &
Time
July 22 nd
Tuesday
Open
10am to 2pm
Aug 12 th
Tuesday
Open
10am to 2pm
Aug. 26 th
Sep. 9 th
Tuesday
Open
10am to 1pm
Sep. 23 rd
Tuesday
Open
10am to 1pm
!
Special Program of the day
Elderly Abuse
10:30am to Noon
Senior Citizens’ Law Office (SCLO) lawyer will
present about issues of Elderly Abuse. After the
lecture, we will fix Somen-noodles (Japanese style
cold floor noodles).
Dept. of Senior Affairs 1pm to 2pm
Dept. of Senior Affairs will present about their
services.
Cooking, Chatting & Crafting
Meet new people in the Asian communities over
cooking. If you like, bring in your own project.
Teach and learn enjoyable craftwork from each other.
Reversed Mortgage
10:30am to Noon
Senior Citizens’ Law Office (SCLO) lawyer will
present about a reversed mortgage system.
Please register by e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone (505-553-0388) at least 24 hrs. before the
program date to ensure a seat, food, & handouts.
Location:
Hale Manoa Community House
619 San Mateo Blvd NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(Southwest corner of Marquette Ave. & San Mateo
Blvd. There is a sign, “Money Concepts,” on the
building roof)
Contact:
Kyoko Sonoda, Secretary of the Board
[email protected] 505-553-0388 NMAFC is a non-profit agency (501 c 3) specifically
serving Asian immigrants in need since 2006. www.nmafc.org
17
NMJACL
Skills to Jobs
Talent Fair
Attention Job Seekers!
September 4th
2:00-7:00 pm
Pyramid Marriott
Dozens of area employers with a wide
range of jobs and career opportunities
are participating in this special hiring
event that focuses on matching real life
skills to jobs, not necessarily educational
backgrounds and work histories.
Visit www.talentabq.org/job-seekers
to schedule your skills assessments today!
Bring your skill scores to the fair and show
how talented you are to area employers.
Guess what? It’s free.
Dress for success and bring resumes that
highlight your skills and accomplishments!
WHEN & WHERE
Thursday, September 4th, 2:00 - 7:00 pm
Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North
5151 San Francisco Rd NE
CONTACT & QUESTIONS
Please contact Jessica Nojek at Jessica@
innovate-educate.org with any questions.
To learn more about free job search
resources, go to www.talentabq.org
today!
NMJACL RECEIVES
NATIONAL JACL LEGACY
FUND GRANT AWARD
In June, NMJACL received news
that
the
Chapter
had
been
selected to receive a National JACL
About TalentABQ
Employers will include participants
in TalentABQ, a joint initiative led by
Innovate+Educate in partnership with
the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Department of Workforce Solutions,
CNM and Mayor Richard Berry intended
to advance Albuquerque’s workforce
and help jobseekers prove their skills to
employers. TalentABQ connects employers and job seekers through the
common language of skills.
Legacy Fund Grant in support
Sponsored By:
innovateducate, City of Albuquerque,
NM Department of Workforce Solutions,
CNM , TrueNrth
This year, $25,5000 was made
a
of the Confinement in Land of
Enchantment (CLOE) project. The
$3,000 award will help cover
costs for design & installation of
historic markers at confinement
sites. The funds will provide part
of the matching money required
as part of the CLOE grant from the
National Park Service, according to
Steve Togami & Victor Yamada.
available
for
distribution
National
JACL.
Eleven
JACL
chapters, districts or youth groups
submitted proposals for projects
in the furtherance of the National
JACL Program for Action.”
a
This was taken as
part of National
JACL Convention
Awards Luncheon.
Victor Yamada
(2nd from left).
holding Award
Certificate.
18
by
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
MEMBERSHIP/
BUSINESS AD
RENEWALS
N
MJACL
thanks
to the end of next year, with the next
to place a business ad in the Sagebrush
renewal due in January 2016.
Shinbun. This cost is separate from your
If you have a Family Membership ($25/
those
individuals and businesses who
have responded to previous
pleas for membership and advertising
renewals. However, there are many
more whose membership to NMJACL or
National JACL have expired, including
their advertisement in the Sagebrush
Shinbun, which is a separate fee than
year), you may remit a payment of
All proceeds from your local membership
$12.50 for June-December 2014, or
dues go towards the publication and
$37.50 to cover now through the end
mailing of this newsletter, and towards
of calendar year 2015, with the next
our fundraising building fund for a
renewal due in January 2016.
proposed Japanese Cultural Center
For
Sagebrush
Shinbun
business
advertisers ($100/year), you may remit
$50 for coverage until December 2014,
or $150 to keep your advertisement in
the newsletter until the end of 2015,
annual NMJACL picnic to hear some
updated information regarding the JCC.
a
2016.
For Individual and Family memberships,
ALL membership and advertisement
it may be more economical and a
dues to January 1st of each calendar
significant savings to you to consider
year, current past due amounts will be
the
prorated for the remaining 6 months of
memberships. The Local Life Individual
2014, and begin for another year on
membership is a one-time payment of
January 1, 2015.
$125.00, while the Local Life Family
($15/year) is over-due, you may remit
(JCC) in Albuquerque. Please attend the
with the next renewal date in January
the membership dues.As we plan to start
Hence, if your Individual Membership
National JACL membership.
“One-Time-Only”
Local
Life
membership is a one-time payment of
$175.00.
a payment of $7.50 to cover your
If you are a NATIONAL JACL member,
membership to December 31, 2014,
you are automatically a member of
or include the $7.50 plus an additional
the local New Mexico Chapter at NO
$15 ($22.50) to take your membership
additional cost, unless you would like
New Mexico
Shotokan Karate
Randy Sanders
Chief Instructor, Rokudan
2808 Girard Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(South of Candelaria NE)
(505) 872-0725
19
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Aki Matsuri 2014 – National
Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701
4th St. SW • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SAGEBRUSH SHINBUN
2712 Kentucky St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110-3404
LOCAL NMJACL MEMBERSHIP
Individual (L)........... $15 /yr
Family (LF)............... $25 /yr
Local Life Individual (LL)..... $125
Local Life Family (LLF)......... $175
Supporting Member $100 /yr
Business & Newsletter Ad Member (Ad) $100 /yr
Local Membership does not include Pacific Citizen (National JACL’s Newpaper)
NATIONAL JACL MEMBERSHIP RATES
Individual ................ $60 /yr
Couple/Family.......... $105 /yr
Student ..................... $25 /yr
1000 Club . ............... $100 /yr
1000 Club Spouse $36
1000 Club Life.......... $3,000
Century Club....................$175 /yr
Century Club Spouse......$36
Century Club Life............$5,000
Millennium Club.............$1,000 /yr
Millennium Spouse.........$36
Any membership category includes Pacific Citizen, Biweekly paper
FOR MEMBERSHIP INFO/APPLICATION(S) CONTACT:
Esther Churchwell
2712 Kentucky NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110