Japanese American Veterans Association Of Washington Dc Inc

Central to JAVA's mission is the sponsorship of historical and educational programs that document the contributions of Japanese American Veterans, especially the Nisei in WWII. JAVA participated in the following programs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024: Day of Affirmation (D0A) Wreath Ceremony at the National WWII Memorial (Floral Wreath, NPS Permit, and a full page ad in Rafu Shimpo Newspaper) with a cost of $3,107.67. The DOA Wreath Ceremony permitted both in-person and virtual attendance and reached over 265 individuals. JAVA hosted a special event dinner to celebrate the Day of Affirmation at the National Museum of the U.S. Army on July 16. Continuing in FY 2023 was JAVA's The Go For Broke photo exhibit opened on October, 2023, and ran until December 14, 2023. The exhibit, which was free and open to the public was held at the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) and introduced viewers to the experience of the WWII Nisei soldiers' experience. Almost 400 visitors attended the exhibit during June and July with an expense of $5373.62 in October 2023. JAVA was a participant in the 18th Annual Nisei Soldiers Memorial Service at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl on Sunday, September 27, 2023. Approximately 150 people attended the program and JAVA's wreath expense was $343.72. For JAVA's Veterans Day program, Major Michael H. Yamamoto, USA, at the annual program held at the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in WWII in Washington, DC. The program allowed for both in-person and virtual participation and reached over 375 people with an expense of $735.95. The Memorial Day Program at Arlington National Cemetery allowed for both in-person and virtual attendance. Additionally, JAVA participated in a Memorial Day Service at the Punchbowl in HI. The combined cost of the programs was $317.62 and in total reached over 650 people. Finally, each month JAVA sends out a newsletter, the e-Advocate, to educate and inform over 1,000 members and contacts about current and historical military and cultural news and events.

Financial Support: JAVA works to encourage patriotism and national pride among the younger generation as well as works to foster and maintain liaisons with other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) as well as institutions to educate the public about Nisei and Americans of Japanese Ancestry in WWII through donations. This year, JAVA co-sponsored with the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) the Freedom Walk during the National Cherry Blossom Festival on April 6, 2024. JAVA also supported the Defining Courage Program, which was a documentary detailing the Nisei soldiers' journey in WWII across Europe. It played on November 11, 2023. JAVA also donated in support of the Maui Wildfires in October of 2023. JAVA also supported the Japanese American Citizen's League in the publishing of a graphic novel meant for school children in learning about the Japanese American experience during WWII.