Congratulations to this year’s scholarship awardees.  You’ll be able to read three essays in this month’s newsletter and the remaining three next month.  I’m looking forward to meeting the young recipients at the May Nisei Luncheon.  These meetings across multiple generations are great opportunities to meet and share experiences that can enrich our understanding and appreciation of each other’s journeys.  I am always inspired by the stories shared by each generation. 

I hope you’ll join us at our 80^th Memorial Day ceremony next month at Lake View Cemetery at 10 am.  Even during the COVID years, NVC/NVC Foundation conducted Memorial Day ceremonies to honor those who paid the ultimate price in battle. I encourage everyone to join us at these events and be a part of our vibrant community. 

Our building committee and board are actively working to keep the Hall in good repair and respond to the needs of our membership and renters.  The gym is busy many mornings with pickleball groups and multiple evenings with basketball groups.  Kyudo (Japanese archery) and taiko add Japanese culture to the mix and several community groups round out regular renters.  The upstairs events space (gym) and Lefty’s Room on the lower level have full A/V capabilities that make them great spaces for events.

We are working on bringing David Ono’s Defining Courage tribute to Nisei soldiers to Seattle.  Those who have seen the show in other cities have urged us to make this happen.  If you are willing to help us organize, please contact me directly at dalewat@msn.com or on my mobile phone 206-953-2233.