Sadao S. Munemori Memorial Square Unveiling
2023/12/27
On December 9, Consul General and Mrs. Sone joined the unveiling ceremony of Sadao S. Munemori Memorial Square in the City of Glendale, together with Glendale officials and special guests including World War II Nisei veterans and Sadao Munemori’s descendants. Sadao Munemori, the only Japanese American to be awarded the Medal of Honor during the World War II era, was a dedicated Army soldier who sacrificed his life in 1945 to save his fellow soldiers and was born and raised in Glendale.
Dr. Mitch Maki, President & CEO of Go For Broke National Education Center, served as master of ceremonies and special remarks were given by Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman, Glendale City Councilmembers, Consul General Sone, and Sadao Munemori’s grandnephew James Nakakihara, with Munemori’s niece Janet Nakakihara also in attendance. Family members of one of the soldiers Munemori gave his life to save – Akira “Andy” Shishido – also joined the ceremony.
In his remarks, Consul General Sone stated: “I am looking forward to seeing millions of people, including Japanese, cross this intersection in the years to come, remembering and appreciating the shining example of Sadao S. Munemori and the resilience and remarkable contributions of the Japanese American community.”
The ceremony and the reception that followed were co-organized by the City of Glendale, Go For Broke National Education Center, and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. Additional remarks at the reception were provided by the Chair of the Board of the Trustees of the Japanese American National Museum William Fujioka, Alhambra City Councilmember Jeffrey Maloney and President of the Veterans Memorial Court Alliance Ken Hayashi.
City of Glendale press release: https://www.glendaleca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8912/16
Rafu Shimpo article: https://rafu.com/2023/12/glendale-dedicates-square-to-medal-of-honor-recipient-sadao-munemori/
Dr. Mitch Maki, President & CEO of Go For Broke National Education Center, served as master of ceremonies and special remarks were given by Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman, Glendale City Councilmembers, Consul General Sone, and Sadao Munemori’s grandnephew James Nakakihara, with Munemori’s niece Janet Nakakihara also in attendance. Family members of one of the soldiers Munemori gave his life to save – Akira “Andy” Shishido – also joined the ceremony.
In his remarks, Consul General Sone stated: “I am looking forward to seeing millions of people, including Japanese, cross this intersection in the years to come, remembering and appreciating the shining example of Sadao S. Munemori and the resilience and remarkable contributions of the Japanese American community.”
The ceremony and the reception that followed were co-organized by the City of Glendale, Go For Broke National Education Center, and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. Additional remarks at the reception were provided by the Chair of the Board of the Trustees of the Japanese American National Museum William Fujioka, Alhambra City Councilmember Jeffrey Maloney and President of the Veterans Memorial Court Alliance Ken Hayashi.
City of Glendale press release: https://www.glendaleca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8912/16
Rafu Shimpo article: https://rafu.com/2023/12/glendale-dedicates-square-to-medal-of-honor-recipient-sadao-munemori/
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