What a day! The Nisei Lunch was especially busy with our guest list growing each month. We are nearing attendance numbers close to pre-Covid days and I would anticipate attaining those attendance numbers by the year’s end.
The May Nisei Lunch was honored to host a very special group of visitors. A group of 50 young soldiers from “C” company of the famed 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, an active reserve unit stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). The soldiers toured the NVC Memorial Hall and some of the soldiers were able to visit with a few of our regular Nisei Lunch guests. This intergenerational interaction between the soldiers and our lunch guests was well received by all parties.
Today, the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, is the only infantry unit in the Army Reserves. With headquarters at Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii, it is part of the 9th Mission Support Command and has the responsibility of maintaining a maximum state of readiness in the event it is needed in a combat zone.
The visit by the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment is a reminder that the tradition of loyalty, sacrifice and bravery established by our Nisei soldier fathers and grandfathers is still very much alive and well in today’s Army. The Nisei soldier of the past have set a very high expectation of excellence in performance and attitude, and it was apparent that today’s soldier is up to the task of carrying on the legacy of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment set by our forefathers.
I have attached a link to a YouTube video of “C” company singing a rendition of the “442 Fight Song” as a thank you for NVC’s hospitality. https://youtu.be/UmS01kEbdnw . We look forward to hosting them again.
The Nisei Lunch also welcomed several new volunteers to our team. Thank you to Sandie Vea, Alan Abe, Jean Murakami, and Jordan Nogaki for helping with the Nisei Lunch.
As always, be safe and good health to all. We hope to see you at the next Nisei Lunch on June 7!
