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Parade Honors Japanese-American WWII Vets Who Fought in Segregated Units

Published

9 years ago

December 31, 2014

By Brian Day, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Japanese-American World War II veterans who fought in a segregated regiment their families were incarcerated in U.S. internment camps placed roses Sunday on Alhambra’s 2015 Rose Parade float in, which was designed in their honor, in Alhambra, CA near Los Angeles.

Five veterans of the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated combat unit of its size in the U.S. military during WWII with 21 Medals of Honor received, will ride the float on New Year’s Day. They will be representing nearly 4,000 men who fought with the regiment.

The float is titled, “Go For Broke,” in reference to the battle cry of Japanese-American warriors during WWII, according to the Go For Broke National Education Center, which partnered with Alhambra on the Rose Paraded Float project. The float is a flower-covered replica of the permanent Go For Broke Monument to Japanese American soldiers in Los Angeles.

The float riders, other veterans and their loved ones took part in decorating the float.

“I am very honored,” said float rider Masao “Mas” Takahashi 90, of Torrance. “I’m just here to represent the guys who passed away.”

Takahashi was drafted into the 100th Battalion, which was later joined the 442nd RCT, after spending a year at the Manzanar internment camp in Inyo County.

“It’s overdue,” added his son, Scott Takahashi. “I wish more of the vets were around to see it.”

Masao Takahashi was accompanied by three generations of family members, some of whom traveled from Iowa.

The Go For Broke float fits well with the 126th Rose Parade’s overall theme of, “Inspirational Stories.”

Joining the veterans on the float will be Alhambra Mayor Gary Yamauchi and his wife.

Being chosen to ride on the float was an extra-special honor for Tokuji “Toke” Toshihashi, 91, of San Gabriel, who was born and raised in Pasadena and grew up watching the Rose Parade. He was drafted into the army at age 21 while incarcerated with his family at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona.

“It’s a little exciting. I never though I’d be on a float,” Toshihashi said.

Prior to being drafted, he recalled filling out a “loyalty questionnaire” in which he was asked if he was willing to fight for the United States. He answered yes.

In addition to the 442nd RCT and its components, other Japanese-American WWII veterans are also honored on the float, including Military Intelligence Service veterans who performed vital translation tasks ranging from interrogating prisoners to intercepting enemy radio traffic.

The 442nd RCT took part in several key European battles. Members helped break the Nazi’s Gothic Line in northern Italy, participated in the march through Germany and helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp.

“It’s so nice to see the city of Alhambra recognize this story that’s still pretty much hidden,” Go For Broke National Education Center President Don Nose said.

“Maybe when 75 million people see the float and hear about it, it will open their eyes to an amazing piece of American history,” he said.

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California Black Media

Audit: California Is Poorly Monitoring Homelessness Spending

California has failed to monitor state spending and evaluate the outcomes of homelessness programs, according to a report issued last week by the California State Auditor’s Office. California State Auditor Grant Parks urged Governor Gavin Newsom to continue to hold local governments accountable in an open letter dated April 9. The audit highlighted that tracking programs and collecting accurate data could help the state save money.

Published

22 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By California Black Media

California has failed to monitor state spending and evaluate the outcomes of homelessness programs, according to a report issued last week by the California State Auditor’s Office.

California State Auditor Grant Parks urged Governor Gavin Newsom to continue to hold local governments accountable in an open letter dated April 9. The audit highlighted that tracking programs and collecting accurate data could help the state save money.

“The state must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs,” Parks said.

The report showed that California spent approximately $20 billion on programs and initiatives addressing homelessness in the past five years. Although state funds were allocated to fund shelters and subsidized rent, homelessness in the state increased by 65 during the last year.

In 2021, Gov. Newsom signed a law that required organizations that received state funds to collect data and evaluate the progress of programs they implement.

California auditors revealed that only two out of five action plans were cost-effective. One was Project Homekey, which converted hotels into housing during COVID-19, and CalWORKS, a housing support that offered financial assistance to low-income residents.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed concern after the report was released.

“The biggest conclusion that the auditors came back with is there’s just inadequate transparency and data and information available,” said Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) in a statement.

Republican Sen. Roger Niello (R-Roseville) said, “These audit results are a wake-up call for a shift towards solutions that prioritize self-sufficiency and cost-effectiveness.”

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Activism

Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.

Published

35 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Cecil Williams, civil rights activist and social justice leader was the head pastor of San Francisco’s non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church.

By California Black Media

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.