Youth Hi-Lites: Reflection
Reflection
By Will Olsen, Summer High School Intern, One Stone School
Our first time going to Minidoka there were five of us on the trip- one coach and four students packed in the car. After talking to Kurt we went to the remnants of the guard station. As we were about to leave, we saw five American pelicans gliding above us, in formation. Each of them passed above us, breaking the spring sunlight that shined down on us. It was a cool moment of awe, a prelude to the other inspiring moments that would come. I wonder if the pelican was a symbol of anything for the Japanese at Minidoka.
We came to Minidoka again for the 80 years of reckoning event- this time, four of us total. I sat there pondering what it would have been like 80 years before there as I watched the clouds roll on behind the speakers’ heads. Afterward we explored the honor roll and the barracks, and eventually the swimming hole. I looked south towards the trees lining the canal and there, above the canal, were 4 pelicans quietly flapping above each other in the air, little dots on the horizon. Each time we were amazed by the pelicans we saw. The pelicans might have been a sign from above of the people that had once lived there, encouraging us to move forward in faith with our country while exploring the past that has hurt so many people.
I realize now that I have been within feet of both of the places where the truth of what the 442 did hit me so hard. It’s cool to think that I have came within feet of both of the places where impactful things happened to both the 442 and (as a result) me: the dusty lot where the service was held for the fallen soldiers and the White House’s front lawn, where President Harry S Truman addressed them (and later President Bill Clinton when he awarded Japanese American soldiers).
When emotion hit them in the situations of hate they were in, they did do what was best in that situation. They demonstrated active faith, in their environment, and made that decision when the time came.
There were lots of tough things that happened for people going to the concentration camps, like the Miyo family who had to give up their dog King- who was so loyal he jumped into the truck that was transporting the Japanese American- his family had to coax him back to their home after he growled at the guards. Though a neighboring family volunteered to care for him, he became very lonely, refused to eat, and starved. Though he died in the fight, we can learn much from the loyalty of that dog. He was respectable and kind.
I was inspired by the quote by John F Aiso, technical director of the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota (a Japanese Language School). He said to the Nisei under his direction, “Live like the cherry trees of our nation’s capital; of Japanese origin and symbol and it’s nightly lore, but taking root into the richness of American soil enhancing with beauty in their season the Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.”
I’ve learned a lot about why they volunteered through my research, though, what showed me the most was the praise they received as a result of their actions. It was from people more vocal and who had probably never risked their lives for their country- who recognized what these men had done. They never talked about what they did; not even to their own families, often.
One thing seemed to be missing: what did they do it all for? Very little was recorded about the decision they made to serve for the US Army. But beneath their actions there was a noble, beautiful cause that led each of them forward. I was inspired by those little stories that I shared with you because I believe they each point us nearer to the heart of what led these men to serve. They are each shards of historical glass that point to the bullet- of courage, bravery, sacrifice, perseverance- collectively shot by every single man of the 442 RCT.
They were there to honor what their sons had done. Was there anything inspiring about it, on that sunny summer day in sagebrush-land? Or was it just sad? How did their families feel?
I’m sure there was probably more than one emotion to describe that day. I mean, how can you feel about your sons going out and saving the world when you are here, locked up in a camp.
Another thing I was inspired by was the Banzai charge up the hill to reach the lost battalion. I was saddened to hear about George Sakato, who in the town of Belmont, France, had met and befriended a new recruit from Minidoka. The man, Yohei Sagami died in his new found friends’ arms later that day.
I was inspired by a moment during the Vosges mountains campaign when a white American officer, a Japanese American soldier, and a German soldier all met at a gravesite one night. Together, the Americans and the Germans each offered the Lord's prayer in their respective languages.
I learned much from Kenji Ego, a 442nd vet, who said, “Since the beginning of human beings… there have been wars, even to this day. What would be better for all of human kind that to stop war? Have peace. I think that should be the primary goal of humankind” (McGaugh 210). These words spoke true to me because as I was inspired by the camaraderie of the 442, it reminds me of the most important mission on this earth: to bring people to Jesus Christ. So, I would like to help create peace by establishing racial harmony.
Many men rallied together when their friend Abraham Ohama was killed helping up a wounded man. Abraham had once said,“All of us can't stay in the [internment] camps until the end of the war. Some of us have to go to the front. Our record on the battlefield will determine when you will return and how you will be treated. I don't know if I'll make it back. (Wakamatsu)"
Technical Sergeant Abraham Ohama, Company "F", 442nd RCT, Killed in Action 10/20/1944
The man surged together in strength that day and charged up the hill, winning it. It was later called Ohama’s hill.
A song I like: I changed some lyrics to make it relevant to the Japanese Americans I learned about. Quotes indicate unchanged portions, original lyrics from the song, God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood
“I thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away”
From the French north-eastern mountains
To the hills of Italy
Across the great Pacific
From country to country
Tears of the lost battalion
And in every proud Nisei.
When there’s a hurt American heart
“It’s time we stand and say”
“That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.”