Japanese Memorial Wall Dedication

Earlier this year, I received a letter in the mail from the NVC Foundation (Nisei Veterans Committee) about a memorial wall that was being built for Japanese war veterans and those interned during WWII. I immediately knew that I had to get bricks for both my Takizawa grandparents (my dad's family took care of a brick for my other grandfather). It became very passionate about it. I contacted my mom and all of her siblings to see if they wanted to contribute towards that cost and they all did.

My mom and I had the opportunity to place my grandparent's bricks on the wall a couple of weeks ago. My dad placed his father's brick on the wall a weekprior to that. Unfortunately, we weren't able to place teh bricks side by side because the all is divided into two sections-one side is for war vets and the other side is for internees. My grandfather's bricks are only one row apart vertically and for rows apart horizontally though. I placed my granmother's brick in a row with some of her friends. I am so glad that I was able to go down and place the bricks because they are in really good apots at eye level. The bricks that the NVC Foundation staff were asked to place by families were placed on the wall on either the edgers or on high or low places on the wall.

Bob, my dad, Ethan, and I all went down to the NVC Foundation Japanese Memorial Wall dedication on Sunday. They had 1400 ticket requests and only 700 seats, so a lot of people were standing. There were taiko drummers, speakers, and music. It was supposed to rain, but the sun came out and shined down on the ceremony. It was really nice and I am so glad that I was able to attend. Jim McDermott and Mike Lowry were teh key note speakers. After the ceremony, we got to go and make rubbings of the bricks.

I am so happy that we got to honor my grandparents in this way. Thanks to my mom, Auntie Marie and Uncle Brian, Auntie Martha and Uncle John, and Uncle Mark and Shannon for donating with me to get Grandma and Grandpa's names placed on the wall and honoring them.

-Dina

The last time the bricks would be together.

I have a Vanna White pose, but I was trying to show both Grandpas.

Jim McDermott

Mike Lowry

Both grandfather's bricks are in this picture. One grandfather is at eye level and the other is one to the right and four rows down.