Go For Broke National Education Center

08/21/2026

Hawaiʻi became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, a World War II veteran (442nd RCT), was the state’s first representative in the U.S. Congress. Hear Senator Inouye speak about the impact of the service of his fellow Nisei soldiers on Hawaiʻi being granted statehood in a 2000 interview.

The Hanashi Oral History Collection is an unparalleled archive of first-person voices of the Nisei WWII veterans and their contemporaries about their experiences before, during, and after the war, shedding light on why they chose to serve their country and their hopes for future generations.

08/19/2026

Thanks to Congressman Mark Takano and Senior Veteran Advisor & Caseworker Manager Ignacio Romero for joining us to see the progress at Go For Broke Plaza & First Street North Residences!

08/17/2026

At the heart of our work is the story of the Japanese American World War II servicemembers who courageously fought against prejudice on the frontlines and at home in the U.S. The Nisei veterans helped pave the way for all Asian Pacific Americans to come, and we uphold their legacy in community with other organizations defending constitutional rights. In this newsletter, we highlight two recent federal government initiatives that will not only affect the Nisei legacy but also reverberate throughout our nation.

Please also find details on a historic Evening of Aloha Gala and a poignant reflection on the impact of the Nisei’s sacrifice from Senator Daniel K. Inouye (442nd RCT).

Email from Go For Broke National Education Center Protect resources to share our stories with future generations   Chambois Sector, France. Nisei troops of Fourth Platoon, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 44

08/17/2026

Did you see the Go For Broke Monument in the Little Tokyo roundup of the AAA Auto Club Enterprises' magazine?

Visiting the Monument is free! Due to temporary construction, hours are limited to Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prestigious cultural institutions anchor this downtown L.A. neighborhood, alongside endearing boutiques, celebrated restaurants, and a lively energy.

08/17/2026

Jason Young, former program director of the Gardena Veterans Resource Center, acknowledges the shared experiences of Black and Japanese American soldiers.

Over two dozen school groups have visited Go For Broke National Education Center’s traveling exhibition “Courage and Compassion” at Morikami Museum this summer. Experience for yourself the stories of Japanese Americans from WWII, alongside community stories of bravery and integrity by American citizens who supported Japanese Americans during the time of crisis. The exhibition is open through August 30!

08/13/2026

Jason Young, former program director of the Gardena Veterans Resource Center, recalls 442nd RCT veteran Don Seki’s unexpected connection to the South from his basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in 1943.

Over two dozen school groups have visited Go For Broke National Education Center’s traveling exhibition “Courage and Compassion” at Morikami Museum this summer. Experience for yourself the stories of Japanese Americans from WWII, alongside community stories of bravery and integrity by American citizens who supported Japanese Americans during the time of crisis. The exhibition is open through August 30!

08/10/2026

No Nisei soldiers, no redress.

When Congress passed H.R. 442, many believed President Reagan — whose own administration had fought against it — would never sign it. But the Japanese American community had a story to tell him.

Kazuo Masuda died in battle fighting for a country that had incarcerated his family. When they returned home from Gila River concentration camp, they were met with threats and racial taunts. At a medal ceremony for the Masuda family, a young soldier/actor declared: “Blood that has soaked into the sands of a beach is all of one color.” That young man was Ronald Reagan.

On August 10, 1988, President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, a formal apology and reparations for those incarcerated under Executive Order 9066. The sacrifice of Nisei soldiers made it possible.

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Kazuo Masuda photo courtesy of the Department of Defense. Gila River, Executive Order 9066, Reagan photos and footage courtesy of the National Records and Archives Administration.

08/07/2026

The Purple Heart is presented to service members who were wounded or killed while serving our country. In total, there were approximately 4,000 Purple Heart recipients; the vast majority were from the segregated 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team but some were also from the Military Intelligence Service unit.

The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) — composed of more than 1,400 Japanese American soldiers from Hawaiʻi — earned the moniker “Purple Heart Battalion” because of the many casualties the unit suffered in the European theater.

Pictured is the pocket log recording the Nisei soldiers that were killed in action and those who died of their wounds received in combat in Italy and France during World War II (photo courtesy of the National Archives). Today, we humbly honor the valiant service of all Purple Heart recipients and thank them for their sacrifice. 💜

08/06/2026

Congratulations to long-time Go For Broke National Education Center board member and supporter David Ono for receiving the 2026 Los Angeles Area Emmy Governors Award! We appreciate David’s commitment and leadership in telling the story of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry and applaud him on his more than three decades of broadcasting.

08/03/2026

Last month marked the 80th anniversary of a historic White House ceremony where President Truman gave his powerful speech acknowledging the Japanese American soldiers as America's heroes and loyal citizens of the United States.

“You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice — and you have won. Keep up that fight, and we will continue to win — to make this great Republic stand for just what the Constitution says it stands for: the welfare of all the people all the time.”

In his 2002 Hanashi Oral History interview, Sgt. Robert S. Sato of the 442nd RCT recalled his reaction to President Truman’s words. “That last part is much more meaningful to me. There is no question the records of the Nisei soldiers made a profound effect on how America treats Asian Americans,” Sato stated. When asked what it means to be an American, he replied, “You live by the ideals that are stated in the Constitution. Everybody has a chance… [but it] depends on your own merits, and you give the other guy an equal chance.”

At Go For Broke National Education Center, we continue to share the individual and collective voices of the courageous Nisei veterans and their fight to protect the ideals in the Constitution. Learn more in this issue for a recap of our recent work inspiring high school students in this summer’s Go For Broke Journalism Institute.

Email from Go For Broke National Education Center Journalism Institute Recap   The Nisei (Japanese American) 442nd Regimental Combat Team marching past President Harry S. Truman and other dignitaries