Lil Hayashi, President Irene Mano, and Don Maekawa at the Memorial Day Service
Every Memorial Day, the local Nikkei community gathers at a 21 foot tall granite monument at the Lake View Cemetery to honor and pay tribute to the Nikkei war dead of Washington state. The names inscribed on the monument are the fallen Nikkei soldiers from the Spanish American War, WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Grenada wars. A formal program with speakers from the NVC/NVC Foundation, Nikkei community and other dignitaries was followed by the placing of floral wreaths from Nikkei community organizations at the base of the monument. The event was closed by the playing of Taps.
During the ceremony, a colorful wreath with purple and gold flowers and a ribbon that read “UW Nikkei Alumni Assn/Synkoa” was placed at the monument by Irene Mano and Don Maekawa representing the UWNAA. This is the 68th annual Memorial Day Service sponsored and organized by the Seattle NVC and NVC Foundation.
By Don Maekawa
