Nisei Parade August 14th 2011

[kanowarrior]

The date is August 14th and starts at 5:30 PM. There will be a special Congressional Gold Medal Bill presentation at 2:15 at the JACC.

Everyone in our unit is invited and I make this the one special event of the year as we get to mix and intermingle with the veterans and their families. Only the vets and their families are suppose to ride so don't plan on hitching a ride unless a spot opens up. It isn't a long parade, only a couple blocks and it winds thru downtown Los Angeles. Weapons are ok, combat is ok.

Show up at the 442nd memorial in your 442nd or 34th uniform. This is not an all allied impression event. This parade is strictly a Japanese cultural event and our spot honors the 442nd veterans only. Show up early or you won't be able to get into the downtown area before they start closing down the streets. I usually show up around noon. The vets in the past have always fed us lunch with a great meal and we get to sit and meet with them while we eat.

This year so far I have three jeeps and a command car coming to this parade. No telling yet if they all will make it, that could easily change. We were personally invited by the organizer of the 442nd veterans. He also invited all 34th ID reenactors as well as the 442nd. The 34th held a special place in the hearts of the 442nd vets (and the other way around) as they spent the most time in the ETO with them and fought side by side with them. If haven't been to this parade or to Little Tokyo, this is an amazing event with all kinds of things to see. There are drummers, dancers, music, food and much more as well as the Japanese American Cultural Center museum and gift shop to see.

I hope to see some of you there.

[barcelonablom]

Bummer, another year that I miss out on this...

I'd love to meet the 442 vets.

[kanowarrior]

It was a great day and a great event. The news of my vets jeep crew passing were happily greatly exaggerated. They were alive and well and once again beat a path to my jeep!

Thanks to Russ Rice who trailered his Dodge command car all the way from Arizona to attend this event. His command car made a huge impression.

Thanks to Charles Morfin for bringing his jeep and Alan Douglas for volunteering to be another driver.

Those in attendence from the CHG:

Brian Kinoshita
Alan Douglas
Russ Rice
Charles Morfin
Anthony Ardisone
Myself

Thanks go this year to Govan for inviting us to the parade, Laura and Russell Nakaishi for planning and direction.

Thanks also go to Jerry Berry (Orange County Military Vehicle Collectors) and Sal (Military Vehicle Preservation Association) for coming with members and vehicles.

And most of all thanks to Vets for just being who they are. Mahalo.


I arrived on site a few minutes after high noon. Things this year were rather rushed and I wasn't there long before they sent us off to the staging area. From there we had to find our way to the plaza where the ceremony was held. I did not stay for that as our guys were still driving in to the event and I had to make sure they all got in ok and see they got to the ceremony.

As usual the vets and their families fed us all a terrific meal. On top of that Govan purchased several sandwiches and drinks for us on the parade route but we were all stuffed by then so we checked in with Jerry Berry's guys and the MVPA group to see they were all fed as well.

The parade itself went as planned. This year seemed to have more attendance and a much more spirited audience. The 442nd vets are of course always a highlight of the event and cheered on as we went.

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[kanowarrior]

Several parade participants enjoyed photo ops in our vehicles.

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[kanowarrior]

This is Roy. He has been doing a 442nd impression for a very long time and you might recognize him from the What Price Glory website modeling WPG wools at Camp Roberts. I have been trying to talk him into coming with us for years but he says he can't afford the time anymore with his business.

I will break him one of these days! ;D

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[kanowarrior]

Ascumi talking to my co-driver veteran who occupies that seat twice a year every year at the Torrance and Nisei parades.

Ascumi is a one man reenactment group and if you haven't seen him before he is a sight to see. He can entertain a crowd for hours and keep it up all day. The guy is like the energizer bunny.

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[kanowarrior]

My extended family. This is my Jeep crew veterans alive and well. I don't have to say a thing, every parade they come looking for me and fend off any others who try to catch a ride in my jeep.

My boys... I love them.

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[kanowarrior]

Charles picked up his veteran jeep crew. This guy rode with him last year for the first time and now they are a team. I believe he had two more join him before the parade started.

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[kanowarrior]

Russ Rice (leaning against his command car) talking to Brian Kinoshita. I believe that's Alan Douglas on the far right behind the jeep windshield.

Alan and Brian are our new 442nd members who came to us from the AVG. These two are a great addition to our unit. I look forward to their first battle with us.

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[barcelonablom]

Looked like it was a great time Tim.

If I make it back to Cali.... I'm going to go bar none.

[kanowarrior]

Well you better make it back. We're keeping a spot open for you.

[kanowarrior]

YouTube video of the parade. We are right behind the double decker bus. Charles and I are leading in the two jeeps, mine has the 442nd placard on the front, Russ Rice in the Command Car is bringing up the rear. After us comes the Korean War vets followed by the Vietnam vets.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh9hzaors7I&feature=related

[charles]

Here is another video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3KYPe6jEdA

[barcelonablom]

Nice you guys look sharp and happy!