NISEI SOLDER EXPERIENCE, Special Preview in Irvine, Aug. 29
December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor, when Tatsuro Masuda installed an “I Am An American” sign on his storefront in Oakland, CA. This sign will serve as the centerpiece and as a focal point for the travelling exhibition.
Thursday, Aug. 29 in Irvine California: Special Preview
Many Sangha Members have friends and family who served for the U.S. Government in World War II. These Sangha know the service and sacrifice of these soldiers. They had to fight two wars, one against an external enemy and another against home-grown anti=Japanese American racism.
Now that sacrifice is being recognized for greater public awareness and appreciation. On Thursday, we can see a special preview of a forthcoming national tour and exhibition.
“I AM AN AMERICAN: The Nisei Soldier Experience” is one night only at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, California, on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m..
This special presentation is a collaboration among the National Museum of the United States Army, the National Veterans Network, and The Army Historical Foundation. Their goal is to raise awareness about the extraordinary service of the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service, who served in a segregated unit in World War II.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
These brave men and women came from across America — from the islands of Hawaii and the ten War Relocation Authority incarceration camps. They exhibited unparalleled patriotism and loyalty during the war, even as many of their families faced discrimination based on their Japanese ancestry.
Special Presentation at Barclay Irvine Theater, 85 Miles North
The Irvine event is an early presentation of what will be national tour in 2026 covering eleven cities. Dates aren’t confirmed, but the cities in California will be Los Angeles (120 miles north) and San Francisco (over 500 miles north). Organizers expect the national tour to last five years.
Reserve Your Spot for Irvine Now
Click on the link here to reserve admission to the August 29 presentation. There appears to be no charge on the website but this is the best way to reserve a seat.
2026 National Tour
This eleven-city national traveling exhibit will educate the public about the extraordinary heroism of Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers and is expected to last five years.
Keynote Speaker General Eric K. Shinseki, Retired
Retired General Shinseki served as the seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014) and the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army (1999–2003).
The Role of Artifacts in Story-Telling
The National Tour will make heavy use of historical objects for displays of the stories of individual soldiers. The organizers are asking for families of the soldiers to donate artifacts for the future exhibitions. Learn more about donating artifacts here. (PDF)
More Details of the National Tour
The traveling exhibit will be based on the Nisei Soldier Experience, currently on display at the National Army Museum, just south of Washington, D.C. This special exhibit will increase from the current 800 square feet to 1,200 square feet and expand to approximately 35 significant historical objects, 50-75 images and three audio-visual kiosks for visitors to access 19 individual soldier stories and an interactive map of the European and Pacific Campaign, comprised of 15 campaign videos.
See this flyer for more details. (PDF)
Article by Bill Teague from publicity materials.
