{"id":13567,"date":"2014-06-14T16:46:54","date_gmt":"2014-06-14T16:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/?p=13567"},"modified":"2020-02-23T15:29:17","modified_gmt":"2020-02-23T15:29:17","slug":"mdfde-mr-pierre-moulin-named-senior-team-leader-mdfdehawaiihonolulu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/2014\/06\/14\/mdfde-mr-pierre-moulin-named-senior-team-leader-mdfdehawaiihonolulu\/","title":{"rendered":"MDFDE\/USA: Mr. Pierre MOULIN named Senior Team Leader MDFDE\/Hawaii\/Honolulu"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Updated on 04\/20\/2016 E.J. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My late friend, Pierre MOULIN (1948-2016), founder of the Freedom and Liberty Trail in Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges, France), passed away last month in Honolulu, Hawai&#8217;i. May he not be forgotten for his amazing life work in honoring his heroes &#8211; the bravest Japanese American citizens of the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team of <em>Nisei<\/em> <span class=\"st\">Soldiers of Hawai&#8217;i and the Mainland &#8211; who liberated his hometown of Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges), France in October 1944. Elisabeth Jenssen<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"tqAL96QX49\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/blog\/mdfdeusa-may-you-rest-in-peace-pierre-pierrot-moulin\/\">MDFDE\/USA: May You Rest In Peace Pierre \u00ab\u00a0Pierrot\u00a0\u00bb MOULIN!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/blog\/mdfdeusa-may-you-rest-in-peace-pierre-pierrot-moulin\/embed\/#?secret=tqAL96QX49\" data-secret=\"tqAL96QX49\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"\u00ab\u00a0MDFDE\/USA: May You Rest In Peace Pierre \u00ab\u00a0Pierrot\u00a0\u00bb MOULIN!\u00a0\u00bb &#8212; francaisdeletranger.org\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>For immediate release:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dear\u00a0MDFDE members, dear Internet friends,<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u00a0am delighted to inform you our friend Pierre MOULIN has been nominated Senior Team Leader MDFDE\/Hawaii\/Oahu\/Honolulu. Born and raised in Bruy\u00e8res, Vosges, France, Pierre, proud father of two sons, Sebastien and Martin,\u00a0is an author-historian\u00a0and volunteer\u00a0at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii\u00a0at Fort DeRussy, Honolulu, Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p>Since his childhood, Pierre has been fascinated by the history\u00a0of WWII and the exploits of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of <em>Nisei<\/em>, the second-generation of Japanese immigrants whose sons were born and educated in the United States. The 442nd RCT counted among its finest soldiers the\u00a0late Senators Daniel Inouye\u00a0and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p>One can understand Pierre&#8217;s passion\u00a0knowing that\u00a0during the war, in Bruy\u00e8res, Resistance was active. And Pierre&#8217;s own father, Max Henri Moulin, a bookseller by trade, was an intelligence officer working for the OSS. His information network received praise from the division for the quality and volume of information provided. In order to help their advance, ten guides helped American forces find their way through the forest.<\/p>\n<p>Named official Ambassador of Bruy\u00e8res-Hawaii Friendship in 1969, Pierre has since dedicated himself in multiplying cultural exchanges between Bruy\u00e8res, France,\u00a0and its sister-city Honolulu,\u00a0Hawaii (Oct. 15, 1961), President Barack Obama&#8217;s birthplace.<\/p>\n<p>He has written several books in both French and English and done museum exhibits\u00a0in order\u00a0to teach the new generation\u00a0all about the all-<em>Nisei<\/em> U.S. Army regiment from Hawaii and California. These\u00a0extraordinary warriors engaged in the Battle of Bruy\u00e8res and Biffontaine, who managed to free his hometown on October 15, 1944;\u00a0and two weeks later, October 30, successfully rescued behind enemy lines the legendary &#8220;Lost Batallion&#8221;\u00a0(1st Battalion of the 141st &#8220;Alamo&#8221; Regiment,\u00a0 36th Texas-Division)\u00a0where more than 800 troops were lost.<\/p>\n<p>In honor of his late grandfather, Charles Etienne, former Deputy mayor of Bruy\u00e8res, and his father Max, Pierre created in July 1989 the Peace and Freedom Trail (CPL) on the path of the 100\/442nd RCT thus leaving in Bruy\u00e8res a permanent mark of the <em>Niseis,<\/em>\u00a0the &#8220;US Samurais&#8221; as Pierre\u00a0calls our heroes, a historic\u00a0place imprinted forever\u00a0in\u00a0our collective memory.<\/p>\n<p>This year will mark the 25th Anniversary of\u00a0the Peace and Freedom Trail and the 70th Anniversary of the liberation of Bruy\u00e8res. As in previous years, families and friends\u00a0of Nisei Veterans from Hawaii and California and other parts of the United States and the world will come to Bruy\u00e8res\u00a0to take part in the official celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>Yours faithfully,<\/p>\n<p><strong>Elisabeth Jenssen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Bruy\u00e8res\u00a0and the Holocaust<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jhBf3R3MGPE\">http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jhBf3R3MGPE<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org\/video-intro.html\">http:\/\/www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org\/video-intro.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org\/\">http:\/\/www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Battle of Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges) and the Rescue of the Lost Battalion by the 442nd RCT in October 1944<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.asian-nation.org\/442.shtml\">http:\/\/www.asian-nation.org\/442.shtml<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.the442.org\/battlehistory\/vosges.html\">http:\/\/www.the442.org\/battlehistory\/vosges.html<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/standwheretheyfought.jimdo.com\/the-vosges-2009-battle-of-bruy{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A8res-and-the-relief-of-the-lost-battalion-by-the-442nd-rct\/\">http:\/\/standwheretheyfought.jimdo.com\/the-vosges-2009-battle-of-bruy{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A8res-and-the-relief-of-the-lost-battalion-by-the-442nd-rct\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<strong>The 100th\/442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), the most decorated military unit in the U.S. Army<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.442film.com\/\">http:\/\/www.442film.com\/<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IpjaQ8lJqmY\">http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IpjaQ8lJqmY<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nisei100442mishistory.com\/\">http:\/\/www.nisei100442mishistory.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.njahs.org\/research\/references\/442_research.php\">https:\/\/www.njahs.org\/research\/references\/442_research.php<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>History in Lorraine : The <\/strong><strong>&#8220;Lost Battalion.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Video: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.touteslesvosges.com\/histoire.html\">http:\/\/www.touteslesvosges.com\/histoire.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/\">http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Celebrating the exploits of the 100th\/442nd RCT in France and the United States of America <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>&#8211; October\u00a018, 1947: Unveiling of the American Monument<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_94aed6_ppx-0484-200x134.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/p>\n<div>The American Monument in Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges), France. \u00a9 Pierre Poix bruyeres-vosges.fr<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>The American Monument of the 442th RCT<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On October\u00a018, 1947 Bruy\u00e8res celebrates the anniversay of its dramatic liberation. For this occasion, Louis Gillon, Mayor of\u00a0Bruy\u00e8res and former Resistant, receives on behalf of the\u00a0Cit\u00e9 de l\u2019Avison,\u00a0a bronze plaque presented to him by\u00a0veteran Wilson Makabe\u00a0of the Japanese\u00a0American Citizens League.\u00a0This plaque describes the Lost Battalion&#8217;s rescue\u00a0by the men of the 442th RCT\u00a0during the Battle of Bruy\u00e8res. Instead of affixing the plaque to the walls of City Hall\u00a0as it was then customary, Mayor Louis Gillon and his Deputy, Charles Etienne (Pierre Moulin&#8217;s grandfather) decide to build\u00a0a real Memorial in honor\u00a0of these gentlemen soldiers who saved their town from total destruction. Gillon\u00a0and Etienne\u00a0decide that the monument will be erected in the middle of nature\u00a0thus offering a peaceful and serene setting in perfect harmony with Japanese-American philosophy.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, October 30, 1947, the only European monument dedicated to one single military unit,\u00a0is unveiled in the presence of French and American officials. Robert Valantin read a message from Colonel\u00a0Virgil Miller commanding the\u00a0442th RCT.<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 40px;\" border=\"0\" width=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"3\" height=\"16\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>&#8211; July 9, 1989:<\/strong> Unveiling of the\u00a0Peace and Liberty Fountain at Place du Commandant Flesch, in the center of Bruy\u00e8res-sur-Vosges, France, offered by Pierre Moulin and Serge Carlesso. This water\u00a0feature\u00a0by\u00a0Jean Bianchetti is adorned with\u00a0seven columns\u00a0of granite bearing\u00a0the words Peace and Liberty\u00a0in gold symbolizing the fighting spirit of the Seventh United States Army, complimented by\u00a0a bronze torch sculpture\u00a0by J-B Thouvenot. The artist was inspired by Sgt Miyamoto&#8217;s insigna depicting the French torch of Lady Liberty\u00a0carried by two arms, one American, one French, from which a dove emerges.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23442\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/ob_251ced_dsc05742-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<address>The\u00a0Peace and Liberty Fountain in Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges), France. \u00a9 Pierre Poix bruyeres-vosges.fr<\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<p><strong>&#8211; July 9, 1989:<\/strong> Unveiling of the\u00a0Peace and Liberty Fountain at Place du Commandant Flesch, in the center of Bruy\u00e8res-sur-Vosges, France, offered by Pierre Moulin and Serge Carlesso. This water\u00a0feature\u00a0by\u00a0Jean Bianchetti is adorned with\u00a0seven columns\u00a0of granite bearing\u00a0the words Peace and Liberty\u00a0in gold symbolizing the fighting spirit of the Seventh United States Army, complimented by\u00a0a bronze torch sculpture\u00a0by J-B Thouvenot. The artist was inspired by Sgt Miyamoto&#8217;s insigna depicting the French torch of Lady Liberty\u00a0carried by two arms, one American, one French, from which a dove emerges.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Go For Broke Association<\/strong><\/p>\n<div align=\"left\">\n<p><strong><span class=\"pagetitle\">History of the Patch<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23454\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/02\/82206687_scaled_92x112.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"92\" height=\"112\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The shoulder sleeve insignia design was created by Technical Sergeant Mitch Miyamoto of the 3rd Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. It depicts the torch of Liberty on a blue background with red and white borders. The design was approved for wear on December 16, 1943.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23456 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/83104594-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Original Design of the patch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<address>\n<div align=\"left\">\n<h2><strong>Torch of Liberty Story<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Mitch Miyamoto<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The first design of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team\u2019s shoulder sleeve insignia was round with a red and white bomb burst on a blue background (signifying the National Colors), with a yellow arm (representing the Japanese Americans) holding a bloody sword. Although the design was approved on July 31, 1943, it was met with criticism from the 442, who objected to its design, especially the representation of the yellow arm.<\/p>\n<p>In communication with Colonel Charles W. Pence (Commander of the 442nd RCT) and Joseph R. Farrington (Hawaii Territorial Congressional Delegate), the Office of the Secretary of War became aware of the dissatisfaction with the original design and stopped production of the patch.<\/p>\n<p>The second shoulder sleeve insignia design was created by Technical Sergeant Mitch Miyamoto of the 3rd Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. \u00a0It depicts the torch of Liberty on a blue background with red and white borders. \u00a0The design was approved for wear on December 16, 1943. <a href=\"http:\/\/gfbassn.org\/history-of-the-patch.html\">http:\/\/gfbassn.org\/history-of-the-patch.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/address>\n<p><strong>&#8211; July 8-9, 1994:<\/strong> Dedication of the Freedom and Liberty Trail created by Pierre Moulin tracing the liberation route of the 2nd, 3rd,\u00a0and 100th Battalion\u00a0forming the 442nd RCT by using 89 commemorative plaques placed throughout the region.<\/p>\n<h2>The Freedom and Liberty Trail<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_23441\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23441\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/Fleche-CPL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/Fleche-CPL.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/Fleche-CPL-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/Fleche-CPL-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/Fleche-CPL-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bruy\u00e8res-Vosges, Sigle du Chemin de la Paix et de la Libert\u00e9 Bruy\u00e8res-Vosges. \u00a9 Pierre Poix bruyeres-vosges.fr<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Freedom and Liberty Trail was founded by my friend Pierre MOULIN. It retraces the route used by the 2nd, 3rd,\u00a0and 100th Battalion\u00a0forming the 442nd RCT which freed BRUY\u00c8RES from the Nazis in October 1944. Pierre&#8217;s father was Max Henri MOULIN, a member of the Office of Strategic Service (OSS) and one of the leaders of the heroic French Resistance in Bruyeres-in-Vosges (France) in WWII. E.J.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/idata.over-blog.com\/0\/20\/25\/27\/Randonnee-VANEMONT---Trapin-des-Saules\/DSC02935.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/img.over-blog.com\/500x332\/0\/20\/25\/27\/Randonnee-VANEMONT---Trapin-des-Saules\/DSC02935.jpg\" alt=\"DSC02935\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<address>The Freedom and Liberty Trail in Bruy\u00e8res-sur-Vosges. \u00a9 Pierre Poix bruyeres-vosges.fr\u00a0\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>Le Chemin de la Paix et de la Libert\u00e9 a \u00e9t\u00e9 fond\u00e9 par Pierre MOULIN sur la trace du parcours du 100\/442 \u00e8me R\u00e9giment de Combat de l&#8217;Arm\u00e9e des \u00c9tats-Unis qui a lib\u00e9r\u00e9 BRUY\u00c8RES en Octobre 1944.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/article-bruyeres-vosges-le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-fonde-par-pierre-moulin-115822068.html\">http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/article-bruyeres-vosges-le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-fonde-par-pierre-moulin-115822068.html<\/a><\/address>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>French Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/2014\/05\/bruyeres-vosges-la-fontaine-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-sous-un-angle-inhabituel.html\">http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/2014\/05\/bruyeres-vosges-la-fontaine-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-sous-un-angle-inhabituel.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ville-bruyeres.fr\/fr\/la-liberation-de-bruyeres-1.html\">http:\/\/www.ville-bruyeres.fr\/fr\/la-liberation-de-bruyeres-1.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tourisme-bruyeres.com\/le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte\">http:\/\/www.tourisme-bruyeres.com\/le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Bruy{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A8res-en-Vosges-Chemin-de-la-Paix-et-de-la-Libert{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A9\/116928911799160\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Bruy{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A8res-en-Vosges-Chemin-de-la-Paix-et-de-la-Libert{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}C3{4d24daa5a359aa22e51c71c531e935ff229d31c7c5eb0da4885e362fa152ead6}A9\/116928911799160<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/bruyereschemindelapaix.over-blog.com\/\">http:\/\/bruyereschemindelapaix.over-blog.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/article-bruyeres-vosges-le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-fonde-par-pierre-moulin-115822068.html\">http:\/\/www.bruyeres-vosges.fr\/article-bruyeres-vosges-le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-fonde-par-pierre-moulin-115822068.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/img.over-blog.com\/300x199\/0\/20\/25\/27\/Avril-2011\/28_BRUYERES-avril-2011.jpg\" alt=\"28 BRUYERES avril 2011\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/p>\n<address>Qu\u00e9quement&#8217;s American Cemetery\u00a0in Epinal, France.vosges.fr\u00a0<\/address>\n<address><a href=\"http:\/\/www.americancenterfrance.org\/front\/index.php?lvlid=128&amp;artid=114&amp;pos=1\">http:\/\/www.americancenterfrance.org\/front\/index.php?lvlid=128&amp;artid=114&amp;pos=1<\/a><\/address>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">******************************************<\/h1>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 50th Anniversary of Bruy\u00e8res&#8217; Liberation<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; October 16, 1994: Unveiling of the Friendship Knot<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/img.over-blog.com\/300x199\/0\/20\/25\/27\/Avril-2011\/07_BRUYERES-avril-2011.jpg\" alt=\"07 BRUYERES avril 2011\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/p>\n<address>The Friendship Knot\u00a0by Shinkichi Tajiri \u00a9 Pierre Poix bruyeres-vosges.fr<\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<h2><strong>Professor Shinkichi Tajiri (1923-2009)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/media.discovernikkei.org\/articles\/2246\/shinkichi_1.jpg\" target=\"viewer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/media.discovernikkei.org\/articles\/2246\/shinkichi_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>Shikichi Tajiri creates the limestone sculpture &#8220;Father and Son&#8221; at his studio on Drexel Street. 1946<\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<p>Tajiri\u00a0is a well known name to many Japanese Americans\u00a0in Chicago. Shinkichi is the fifth of seven children\u00a0born to Ryukichi and Fuyo Tajiri. His oldest\u00a0brother, Larry, was editor of the <em>Pacific\u00a0Citizen<\/em>,\u00a0the bi-monthly newspaper of the Japanese American\u00a0Citizens League, during World War II. The second\u00a0son died at age three in an influenza epidemic.\u00a0The third son, Vincent, was part of the 442nd\u00a0RCT and is best known as picture editor and director\u00a0of photography of <em>Playboy Magazine<\/em> from 1954\u00a0to 1971. He edited &#8220;Through Innocent Eyes,&#8221; a\u00a0collection of works by Nisei. His sister, Yoshiko, edited the Tokyo area edition of the <em>Stars\u00a0and Stripes<\/em> as well as other magazines. Younger than\u00a0Shinkichi are twins. James was a career military\u00a0officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel.\u00a0He commanded Airborne Intelligence units in Vietnam\u00a0and Okinawa.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up in San Diego, Shinkichi always liked art.\u00a0He showed his works to Ruth Hall, who introduced\u00a0him to Donal Hord. Because\u00a0Shinkichi could not afford sculpturing lessons,\u00a0he was grateful to Hord for permitting him to care\u00a0for his garden in exchange for lessons. This was\u00a0the beginning of sculpturing for him.<\/p>\n<p>The lessons\u00a0ended in 1942 when his family was evacuated to Poston Concentration Camp in Arizona. In Camp 3, Shinkichi did a series of Conte crayon\u00a0drawings of camp life with art materials sent by\u00a0Hord. From there, he volunteered for the 442nd RCT\u00a0and joined his brother Vincent at Camp Shelby in\u00a0Mississippi where they trained together.<\/p>\n<p>Shinkichi was a machine gunner in Company M, Third\u00a0Battalion of the 442nd RCT, which was the heavy weapons\u00a0unit. He was hit on his left thigh on July 9, 1944\u00a0during an attack on Castellina, Italy. Flown to Rome,\u00a0more than 50 pieces of stone were removed and he\u00a0was in a cast for six months. He was transferred\u00a0to Marseilles, France, and given limited duty.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a01945, he requested and was granted Special Services\u00a0as an artist to sketch displaced persons from the\u00a0German concentration camps. This reminded him of\u00a0his days at Poston. Many of Shinkichi\u2019s art reflect the horrors of war such as &#8220;Wounded\u00a0Knee&#8221; (1953), &#8220;Scorched Eart (1955),\u00a0and &#8220;Nagasaki&#8221;\u00a0 (1957).<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/media.discovernikkei.org\/articles\/2246\/shinkichi_2.jpg\" target=\"viewer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/media.discovernikkei.org\/articles\/2246\/shinkichi_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>The Gaka Art Club in 1947. The club met in Shinjiki Tajiri&#8217;s basement studio<\/address>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>At\u00a0the end of military service, Shinkichi came to\u00a0Chicago to be with his mother and family. He\u00a0worked at Matsumoto\u2019s Art Shop and on the\u00a0GI Bill attended the School of the Art Institute\u00a0\u00a0of Chicago, which he considers to be the best\u00a0of the four art schools he attended. He studied\u00a0art history, painting, and design.<\/p>\n<p>From there,\u00a0he went to Paris to escape racism suffered in\u00a0the U.S. and to study art with cubist sculptor,\u00a0Ossip Zadkins, whom he left to have freedom to\u00a0develop in his own art style. (&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Friendship Knot<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00ab The Friendship Knot\u00a0\u00bb, created by Professor\u00a0Shinkichi TAJIRI, is a gift from the\u00a0100th BN Club, the 442nd Club Hawaii and the\u00a0100th\/442nd Veterans Association USA to the People of Bruy\u00e8res. It was dedicated on October 16, 1994 for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Bruy\u00e8res. This work of art was inspired by the love and gratitude Professor Tajiri personally\u00a0felt from the people of Bruy\u00e8res\u00a0led by\u00a0Serge Carlesso when he visited the town in October 1993.<\/p>\n<p>His friendship knots are well\u00a0known and can be found all over the world. One is\u00a0displayed outside the Japanese American National\u00a0Museum in Los Angeles. &#8220;Granny Knot&#8221; is\u00a0at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City and\u00a0another in Bruyeres in France, commemorating 50 years\u00a0of liberation by the 442nd Regimental Combat Team\u00a0(RCT).<\/p>\n<p>In 1953, the artist&#8217;s work came to the attention of <em>COBRA<\/em>, an art group of revolutionary experimental artists and protestors from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam.\u00a0 The Dutch group was drawn to Tajiri\u2019s works and labeled him an abstract surrealist.\u00a0 Later in 1964, the artist and his family moved to Minnesota to the Art Institute of Minneapolis where he had a one-year visiting professorship with Arnold Herstand.\u00a0 During this time, Tajiri completed 25 bronze sculptures for an exhibit and created a monumental sculpture for St. Paul, Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/2006\/9\/13\/voices-of-chicago\/\">http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/2006\/9\/13\/voices-of-chicago\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">*********************************<\/h1>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2>Go For Broke Monument<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<address>\n<div>Roger Yanagita, unveiled June 1999. Photographs and<\/div>\n<div>information about the monument are provided courtesy of<\/div>\n<div>the 100th\/442nd\/MIS World War II Memorial Foundation<\/div>\n<div>in Gardena, California.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Close-up view:<\/b><\/p>\n<\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Roger Yanagita, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke1.html\">Go For Broke Monument<\/a>, 1999.\u00a0(110th\/442nd\/MIS World War II Memorial Foundation).\u00a0 North of the Japanese American National Museum, adjacent to the Geffen Contemporary.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; June 5, 1999: Unveiling of the Go For Broke Monument in Los Angeles, California<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>From Honolulu, Hawaii,\u00a0to Bruy\u00e8res, France,\u00a0to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, California&#8230;<\/strong> On June 5, 1999 the dreams of a determined group of World War II veterans came to life with the unveiling of the Go For Broke Monument in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles, California. E.J.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/\">http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.goforbroke.org\/index.php\">http:\/\/www.goforbroke.org\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Information from the 100th\/442nd\/MIS World War II Memorial Foundation press release:\u00a0 The first Monument of its kind in the Mainland U.S. to honor the World War II Heroics of Japanese American soldiers who fought bravely while their families were held in U. S. internment camps.<\/p>\n<p>It commemorates the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, 232nd Combat Engineering Company and the 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion. The monument was built by the non-profit 100th\/442nd\/MIS World War II Memorial Foundation and given to the City of Los Angeles.\u00a0 The Memorial Foundation is providing upkeep for the Monument. The idea for a monument was conceived by a group of veterans and initiated in 1990 by the 100th\/442nd\/MIS World War II Memorial Foundation with an international design competition.<\/p>\n<p>The Go For Broke Monument design was chosen from 138 entries in the blind and juried competition and the winning design by Roger Yangita was publicly presented January 14, 1991. The design comprises a 40 foot granite circle of bold, black granite, rising to a peak of 9 feet and slping to grade level on the front.<\/p>\n<p>A curving vertical perimeter wall is engraved with names of 16,000 Nisei soldiers and their officers who served overseas during World War II, including 37 Japanese American women.<\/p>\n<p>An inscribed star designates those killed in action.<\/p>\n<p>A semicircle of 60 colorful organizational patches from the various units with which the 100th, 442nd, MIS and other Nisei soldiers were attached and\/or assigned during World War II runs along the upper edge of the wall above the names. The round, flat face of the Monument tells the story of the 100th, 442nd, MIS, 552nd, 232 and 1399th with five large medallions and moving inscription.<\/p>\n<p>A granite replica of the 442nd shoulder patch topped with the brilliant image of a torch and an upright arms borrowed from the Statue of Liberty are set in front of the inscription.<\/p>\n<p>The granite shoulder patch holds a symbolic flame as a lasting reminder of those who died in battle, and an American Flag. The approach to the monument is a checkerboard of grass and granite, with a ring of grass circling all the way around.<\/p>\n<p>Two clusters of stately donor pillars acknowledge contributors and supports.\u00a0 A convenient kiosk houses a computerized name locator or &#8220;monument map.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>More than a dozen cherry plum and Japanese maple trees stand near the wall of names and the surrounding plaza is paved with stone.<\/p>\n<p><b>Background:<\/b>\u00a0 During World War II, American citizens of Japanese ancestry were classified by the U.S. Government as &#8220;enemy aliens&#8221; and imprisoned in internment campus without due process of law.<\/p>\n<p>Although deprived of their constitutional rights, thousands of young men and women volunteered out of these campus to serve in segregated units of the 100th\/442nd Regimental Combat Team fighting in Europe, and with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in the Pacific.<\/p>\n<p>Through remarkably distinguished service, the 100th\/442nd RTC and MIS helped restore freedom and civil rights, not only for future generations of Japanese Americans but also for all Americans.<\/p>\n<p>Through sacrifice and heroics, they demonstrated that civil liberties are inalienable and should never be denied to anyone because of race or ancestry. In 1989, Japanese American World War II veterans established the Foundation to build the Go for Broke Monument, as well as an educational program using the stories of these veterans to illustrate constitutional issues and civil rights.<\/p>\n<p>The Monument, located in Downtown Los Angeles adjacent to the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and north of the Japanese American National Museum, was unveiled in June 1999 and presented as a gift to the City.<\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Details.\u00a0Photographed by Ruth Wallach<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke4.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Link:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke3.html\">http:\/\/www.publicartinla.com\/Downtown\/Little_Tokyo\/goforbroke3.html<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 60th Anniversary of Bruy\u00e8res&#8217; Liberation<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>In the\u00a0fall of 2004, to mark the 60th anniversary, some 442nd RCT veterans including Shinkichi Tajiri returned to\u00a0Bruyeres in remembrance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>NISEIS INVITED TO FRENCH 60<sup>TH<\/sup> ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION. SCHOOL CHILDREN ENTHUSIASM ENSURES FUTURE CELEBRATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Bruyeres, France. Each year for the past 60 years, on a weekend in October, the citizens of Bruyeres and nearby Biffontaine and Belmont in the Vosges mountains of eastern France, honor the all Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) including the 100<sup>th<\/sup> Battalion for liberating them from Nazi forces during WW II. This year, however, was special. On October 24, 2004, the 60th anniversary, Lawson Sakai, a 442nd veteran, escorted a large delegation of 442nd veterans, families and friends to participate in the liberation festivities. As with the 50<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary in 1994, also led by Mr. Sakai, school children waving French and American flags, township officials, and the populace poured out their welcome over two days with incredible hospitality, ceremonies and banquets at various locations. Significantly, the organizers represented the post WW II generation.<\/p>\n<p>The towns of Bruyeres, Belmont, Biffontaine, and Fremifontaine were liberated in October 1944 by the 442nd RCT, comprised of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and Mainland United States, many from the 10 internment camps where 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated.<\/p>\n<p>As in past years, all of the 53 persons in the delegation had similar objectives in going: to pay tribute to relatives and friends who were engaged for three weeks in the most bitter, non-stop fighting in which the 442nd RCT sustained more than 800 casualties. The seven 442nd veterans on this trip were Ted Fujimoto, Santa Ana, CA, Co. E; Roy Fujiwara, Seattle, WA, Co. L; Jimmie Kanaya, Gig Harbor, WA, 3rd Battalion Medical Specialist; Ted Oye, Seattle, WA, 3rd Battalion Headquarters; Lawson Sakai, Gilroy, CA, Co. E; Mike Tsuji, Los Angeles, CA, Co. H; and Willie Tanamachi, Houston, TX, who was in 442<sup>nd<\/sup> training at the time. Some stood on the same spot they stood in October 1944 each with his own story to tell. Mike Tsuji pointed to the house where he spent one night.<\/p>\n<p>The festivities started on the first day, October 23, when 200 people of Fremifontaine, including resistance fighters with unit flags, honored the Japanese Americans with a band and speeches. The band played the American and French national anthems and Mayor Etienne Pourcher talked of how they were liberated by the Japanese Americans. Following that, about 300 residents of the town of Belmont invited the Japanese Americans for lunch and more celebratory speeches and entertainment.<\/p>\n<p>According to Greg Kimura of Palo Alto, California, &#8220;what happened next was overwhelming. A group of men dressed in WW II army fatigues and boots stepped up to the stage and sang God Bless America. Never had I witnessed this depth of honor and respect accorded to any group of people \u2026 here were these people singing God Bless America and honoring not just these Americans, these veterans, their friends and families, but America and all Americans. I\u2019ve never been a particularly patriotic person, but at that moment I was truly proud to be an American&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>From Belmont the visitors were taken to Biffontaine forests and toured the location, with all the grim evidence such as foxholes and shrapnel imbedded in trees, where 442nd Regimental Combat Team rescued the trapped 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment, 36th (Texas) Division (referred to by the press at the time as the &#8220;Lost Battalion&#8221;) in what the U.S. Army historical records recognized as one of the 10 most fiercely fought battles in its entire history.<\/p>\n<p>Jimmie Kanaya of Gig Harbor, Washington, who first saw the battle ground as a medic tending to the wounded during the battle, said &#8220;as I might not be around 10 years from now, I felt that it would be appropriate for me to pay my respects to those people of France, including the courageous French resistance movement whose contributions made a significant difference. The children in each community played a big part at the monuments as well as at the city squares by assisting in the laying of the wreaths. I thought this gesture on the part of the French people was one of the finest tributes they could pay those veterans who participated in their liberation, and to continue this tradition for years to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The highlights of the second day, October 24, began with mass at Bruyere&#8217;s main church, where a memorial service was held in the Bruyeres town square. From there the Japanese Americans were taken to Helladraye forest riding in WWII jeeps and command cars, where a major battle for the liberation of Bruyeres occurred. The German Army was ordered to hold this position at all costs as this was the main rail line supporting the German troops on the western front. After two weeks of heavy fighting the enemy was defeated.<\/p>\n<p>On returning to Bruyeres, where a monument in honor the 442nd RCT was erected, over 400 town people took part in the celebration. Monuments have been similarly erected for the 45<sup>th<\/sup> and 36<sup>th<\/sup> Infantry Divisions. There were many school children waving French and American flags, French and American dignitaries, military and youth bands and a church choir which sang the Star Spangled Banner. All took part. Remembering a request made previously by the French, Sakai placed a WW II American soldier\u2019s helmet donated by the American Military Museum of Los Angeles on the top of the monument much to the pleasure of Bruyeres people,. The front of the helmet bears the 442nd insignia painted on by retired Air Force Colonel Brian Shiroyama. The visitors were pleased to see that Bruyeres has named one of their streets, &#8220;Rue de 442nd Regimental Combat Team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The group then went to the Bruyeres City Hall for a reception and program by Bruyeres Mayor Alain Blangy, also attended by Mayor of Biffontaine Denis Henry, President of the Association for Peace and Freedom Martial Hilaire, U.S. Consul General Christopher Davis, and Superintendent of Epinal American Cemetery Tom Cavaness. Blangy spoke of the liberation of Bruyeres on October 18, 1944 by a &#8220;group of American soldiers that looked more Japanese than American.&#8221; Children are taught in school they must remember and honor their liberators. Mayor Henry spoke of the great battles that raged through the hills of Biffontaine culminating in the rescue of the Lost Battalion.<\/p>\n<p>Following the lunch the Group went to the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinoze-Quequement for a memorial service at the five gravesites of the 442nd soldiers interred there. At the gravesite of Tomosu Hirahara, his nephew Ed Hirahara, a Sansei from Federal Way, Washington, was deeply moved by the experience. He said, <span style=\"font-size: small;\">&#8220;<\/span>At the U.S. Military Cemetery in Epinal, France honors those soldiers missing in action as well as those for whom their families chose to leave their remains where they died. It is a sad but very impressive sight to see the many rows and rows of white marble crosses, each marking the place where a soldier is buried. The small ceremony that was held to honor Tomosu Hirahara spontaneously developed into a larger and emotionally beautiful ceremony for the group as many came up one by one to light incense and to reflect in a moment of silence. I cannot speak for others but for me, it was a moment to honor all those who fought and died in this place.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Sandra Tanamachi, a Texas school teacher whose uncle was killed in the battle to rescue the Texas &#8220;Lost Battalion,&#8221; expressed the sentiments of many of the visitors when she said: &#8220;I decided to make this trip, as I wanted to be in one of the exact locations where my heroes, the Nisei veterans, fought and sacrificed, so that we, the future generations of Japanese Americans, could live in a more accepting, understanding America in the aftermath of WWII. Once we reached the Vosges Mountain area of France and visited the liberated towns of Fremifontaine, Biffontaine and Bruyeres, the French people welcomed us with open-arms, and you could feel the sincere warmth and love that they held for our veterans. When our bus approached their towns, we were greeted like \u2018super stars\u2019 as there was always a large group of citizens waiting to greet us, all waving American and French flags. The dignitaries of the towns were in attendance and gave speeches of welcome and thanks to the veterans. Each time this happened, I thought of my uncle, Saburo Tanamachi, and all of our Japanese American soldiers who sacrificed so much for each of us. It was especially wonderful to see the groups of children, as they will pass these stories on to the next generations. Visiting the Vosges was my way of saying, \u2018Domo arigato gozaimasu\u2019 to my heroes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Mrs. Margaret Miyasaki, wife of the late Dr. Robert M. Miyasaki, a 442nd medic, and her two daughters, Nola and Gaye, went on this tour. After her return home to Honolulu, Mrs. Miyasaki said &#8220;The tour to Bruyeres was a wonderful experience! I learned so much about the war that my husband served to save lives. It was heartwarming to be welcomed by the people and children of Bruyeres, and to see how much they still appreciate the veterans after all of these years. It was really a memorable trip for me.&#8221; Nola and Gaye shared the same view in a joint statement: &#8220;Visiting the battlefields of Bruyeres, Epinal and Biffontaine offered us a wonderful glimpse of history that the 442nd was responsible for. We have a much greater understanding of the magnitude of courage, humility, pride and &#8220;go for broke&#8221; spirit exhibited by the Japanese American soldiers in spite of the prejudice they constantly faced. We feel a great sense of pride in our Dad and for all of the Japanese Americans who fought in WWII.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Other Japanese Americans living in Europe visited Bruyeres to join the Sakai party. One was Shinkichi Tajiri, sculptor of the cast iron &#8220;Knot of Friendship&#8221;, located only 100 yards from the 442nd monument in Bruyeres. Tajiri is an internationally recognized sculptor who resides in Baarlo, Netherlands, a native Californian, Poston Internment camp internee, 442nd (Co. M) veteran and brother of the late Larry Tajiri, Editor of <i>Pacific Citizen<\/i>. Tajiri presented the Knot to Bruyeres in 1994 during its 50th Liberation celebration. He conceived of the idea of the Knot in the 1960\u2019s and designed it with the view that each person could interpret its significance. To Tajiri, it symbolizes the bond of friendship between Bruyeres and 442nd. Tajiri brought his family to Bruyeres for this 60th celebration and to meet his long time friend, Isami Tsuji, squad leader of Co. H, 442nd RCT , who was wounded two days after the liberation of Bruyeres in the Biffontaine operation.<\/p>\n<p>Another visitor was Everett Wakai from the U.S. Embasy in Paris, who visited with his father, Ted Wakai, Military Intelligence Service veteran and resident of Oxnard, California.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Sakai observed that the lush vegetation and serene atmosphere of the Vosges today belie the fierce battle for freedom that occurred 60 years ago with artillery rounds toppling huge trees, machine gun fire ripping through the air and vegetation incessantly, the clash of bayonets in hand to hand combat, the sounds of the wounded and dying on both sides. Sakai, who was wounded himself, remembers an elderly French woman taking a mortally wounded Nisei into her home, putting him on her bed, where he peacefully passed away. Sakai\u2019s group reciprocated the generosity of the French with gifts and speeches. This outpouring of hospitality by the Bruyeres, Biffontaine and Belmont townfolks is accorded to every Japanese American who come during the year alone or in any numbers. An emotional experience for all, one of the younger members of the group moved by the days\u2019 events, attempted to register for Sakai\u2019s 70<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary tour in 2014 as the time for departure drew near.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Link:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/javadc.org\/Invitation%20to%2060th%20Anniversary%20French%20celebration.htm\">http:\/\/javadc.org\/Invitation%20to%2060th%20Anniversary%20French%20celebration.htm<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-link=\"class{getClass:IsBodyExpanded}\">\n<div>\n<div id=\"bodyreadMessagePartBodyControl1114f\" data-link=\"class{:~tag.cssClasses(PlainText, IsContentFiltered)}\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<p><strong>&#8211; March 18, 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<h3 id=\"p1\">Shinkichi Tajiri passed away&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Known around the world for his artwork, Shinkichi Tajiri passed away from a long illness on Sunday March 15, 2009\u00a0in Baalo, the Netherlands. Posthumously\u00a0this wonderful artist and great\u00a0friend of Bruy\u00e8res\u00a0received the Congressional gold medal from President Obama for serving in the 442nd RCT (US Army) in the Second World War&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"media-332135\" title=\"L'artiste ici dans son jardin et \u00e0 cot\u00e9 du noeud de la Libert\u00e9, identique \u00e0 celui offert aux Bruy\u00e8rois \" src=\"http:\/\/lagirafequirit.blogspirit.com\/media\/00\/01\/758533145.JPG\" alt=\"S. TAJIRI .JPG\" \/><\/p>\n<address>Shinkichi Tajiri in\u00a0his garden in Holland next to an exact replica of his<\/address>\n<address>Friendship Knot\u00a0in Bruyeres, France.<\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">American sculptor, Shinkichi Tajiri was also a painter, photographer and movie director. In 1955 he won a Golden Palm at Cannes, for his first short film, <i>The Vipers<\/i>, because of his experimental use of the language of film. From 1956 he lived in the Netherlands, since 1962 in Baarlo. He worked as a sculptor and painter. He exhibited at the famous Kassel documenta II, 1959; III, 1964 and IV, 1968. From 1969 Tajiri Shinkichi taught at the Hochschule f\u00fcr Bildende K\u00fcnste at Berlin. 1969 and 1970 Shinkichi took pictures of every part of the Berlin Wall.<\/p>\n<address><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"media-332136\" title=\"Shinkichi Tajiri, sa femme Suzanne et le Bruy\u00e8rois G\u00e9rard Henry. Les sculptures visibles sur ce pont en Hollande sont de l'artiste \" src=\"http:\/\/lagirafequirit.blogspirit.com\/media\/00\/00\/1978994497.jpg\" alt=\"Shinkichi Tajiri.jpg\" \/><\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>Shinkichi Tajiri,\u00a0his wife\u00a0Suzanne and Bruyeran G\u00e9rard Henry. The sculptures<\/address>\n<address>seen on this bridge in Holland are from the artist.<\/address>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1970 he went to Denmark and directed the award-winning documentary <i>Bodil Joensen &#8211; en sommerdag juli 1970<\/i> about Bodil Joensen. In 1975 and 1976 he recreated the Daguerreotype: surreal portraits, nudes and daguerreotypes of the Wall. He had two daughters, Giotta et Ryu. He is survived by his sister Yoshiko and his brother James.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lagirafequirit.blogspirit.com\/tag\/shinkichi+tajiri\">http:\/\/lagirafequirit.blogspirit.com\/tag\/shinkichi+tajiri<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shinkichi_Tajiri\">http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shinkichi_Tajiri<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/shinkichi-tajiri.com\/\">http:\/\/shinkichi-tajiri.com\/<\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/rdpauw.blogspot.fr\/2009\/03\/berlin-wall-1969-1970-photographs-by.html\">http:\/\/rdpauw.blogspot.fr\/2009\/03\/berlin-wall-1969-1970-photographs-by.html<\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">*******************************<\/h1>\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" lang=\"en\"><strong>A Legacy for My Sons<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-area\">\n<div id=\"node-9723\">\n<p>By <a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/authors\/pierre-moulin\/\">Pierre Moulin <\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/2011\/10\/18\/\">18 Oct 2011<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- article body -->I was honored to have lunch with Ted Tsukiyama, retired lawyer and MIS and 442nd historian, and James Tanabe, MIS historian. They were both WWII veterans in their late 80s that I had asked to proof my new books. Ted Tsukiyama\u2019s question took me a little by surprise: \u201cWhy did you spend so much of your life writing and researching about us (Japanese Americans)?\u201d I believe there are many reasons.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing, of course, is I probably owe my life to the Japanese Americans. They came just in time to liberate my home town of Bruyeres before my father would have been caught for his spying activities as a member of the Office of Strategic Service and one of the leaders of the French Resistance in Bruyeres-in-Vosges (France).<\/p>\n<p>Second, I grew up fundamentally anti-racist and the story of the Nisei fit into my goals. After all there was such discrimination after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Third, I was already the historian of Bruyeres at the age of 16 years old. The battle of Bruyeres and the rescue of the Lost battalion were too big to stay unknown.<\/p>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1971-K-company-with-Pierre-Moulin_JPG_450x249_upscale_q85.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1971-K-company-with-Pierre-Moulin_JPG_450x249_upscale_q85.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1971-K-company-with-Pierre-Moulin_JPG_450x249_upscale_q85-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1971-K-company-with-Pierre-Moulin_JPG_450x249_upscale_q85-200x103.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>1971 &#8211; The first group of veterans that came to Bruyeres from the U.S. Seventeen survivors of K Company 442nd. You can see me as a young boy in the middle in front of the 442nd Memorial in Bruyeres erected by my Grandfather Charles Etienne in 1947.<\/address>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>There were two big events that made me feel that I had to voice something. Firstly, in 1971, the first group of veterans of the 442nd RCT came to Bruyeres. In those days, I was one of the few that could speak English and I was probably the only one who knew the history and the emplacement of the big battles in the forest. I was also the vice-president of the Bruyeres-Honolulu sister city Committee since 1969, so I was designated to guide the 17 survivors of K Company to the battlefields. 442 Company K veterans Munaru Saito, Rudy Tokiwa, Joe Shimamura, Richard Oda, Papoose Sadanaga, Fujio Miyamoto, and others with Fred Kusuno, a teacher from Kaiserslautern in Germany, went with me by bus. I received a special permit to be able to reach the site of the lost battalion location as the road was closed by the Forest and Water Organization in those days.<\/p>\n<p>The group stopped in the flower shop where each of them bought one rose. During the trip on the forest crest, I detailed the different battles and the veterans listened to my speech in silence. Then we came to the \u201cFairy Rock\u201d where the lost battalion was located. Here they all got out of the bus and we all began to spot the different fox-holes still visible at the site. Nothing was there to mark the battle. So they choose to lay their flower under some pine trees. There was evidence of the fighting in the trunks of the trees still covered with bullet holes and shrapnel. All came together and cried silently, cried, cried\u2026 These heroes don\u2019t usually show very much emotion, but the feelings were too strong. They had lost so many friends here, those tears changed my life forever.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, in 1977, a group of veterans came from California lead by Kay Ishibashi and Shim Hiraoka. To celebrate the occasion, a film crew from Hawaii with Nino Martin as director made the movie <em>Aloha Bruyeres<\/em>. We discovered with surprise the story of the internment camps used for the placement of the Japanese Americans in the USA. This took place in the country of Freedom and Justice for all. What a shame!<\/p>\n<p>In 1984, Kay Shory and Ludi Boken from Belbo Film realized <em>Yankee Samurais<\/em>. When we arrived at Marker Six, one of the eight survivors of I company who reached the Texas lost battalion, Shig Doi, could not keep his tears at bay and hid himself in the bush. Suddenly, he yelled at me from the bushes: \u201cPierre, please come here!\u201d I jumped in the bushes and, at the feet of Shig Doi, was a fox hole completely intact with not one leaf inside, it just looked like it was dug yesterday. It was unbelievable! Then Shig Doi, in tears, told me: \u201cSo many young boys died here, for what? Nobody will know.\u201d My decision was made up and I told him: \u201cShig, I swear they will know.\u201d<\/p>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23445\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1988-US-Samourais-en-Lorraine-first-book-signing_JPG_225x344_upscale_q85.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1988-US-Samourais-en-Lorraine-first-book-signing_JPG_225x344_upscale_q85.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1988-US-Samourais-en-Lorraine-first-book-signing_JPG_225x344_upscale_q85-200x131.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>At the first book signing of my book in French, &#8220;US Samurais en Lorraine,&#8221; in 1988. I made it my mission to let the people of France know about the Nisei history. It was the first time a picture\u00a0of the internment camps was seen outside of the USA.<\/address>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>So\u00a0I gave myself three missions<\/strong> that were nothing compared to the one the 442nd RCT faced during the war, but it took me 25 years to fulfill them:<\/p>\n<p><strong>The first mission was to let the people of France know the story of those Nisei Soldiers.<\/strong> I wrote in 1988 the book <em>U.S. Samurais en Lorraine,<\/em> in French, published by Gerard Louis editions and noted by The President of the Republic of France Francois Mitterrand.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The second mission was to bring as many inhabitants of Bruyeres (France) as possible to Honolulu (Hawaii) so they could learn first-hand what Bruyeres means to these Veterans.<\/strong> The Battle of Bruyeres is considered as one of the ten most important battles\u00a0in the history of the United States and because of the Nisei soldiers\u2019 heroism in Bruyeres, they became the most decorated unit in all US History. I brought the first group of 66 Bruyerans to Hawaii in 1976 for a \u201cFantalohastic\u201d Visit to Paradise opening the way for many more groups coming the following years&#8230;<\/p>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23446\" src=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1989-CPL-Logo-with-Prefect-Andrieu_JPG_250x386_upscale_q85.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1989-CPL-Logo-with-Prefect-Andrieu_JPG_250x386_upscale_q85.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/06\/1989-CPL-Logo-with-Prefect-Andrieu_JPG_250x386_upscale_q85-200x229.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<address>\u00a0<\/address>\n<address>1989 &#8211; The opening of the Peace and Freedom Trail of the 442nd in Bruyeres. I explain the signification of the PFT logo to the Secretary of the budget, Christian Pierret, Prefect of the Vosges, Jacques Andrieu, Highest authority of the state of Vosges, and Mayor of Bruyeres, Alain Thirion, in front of the Fountain of Peace and Freedom.<\/address>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>My third mission was to imprint the mark of the Battle onto Bruyeres soil.<\/strong> So I donated the city a Fountain of Peace and Freedom to be visible in the streets of Bruyeres since the two Memorials erected in Bruyeres \u2014 in 1947 by my grandfather Deputy Mayor Charles Etienne and Mayor Gillon and the one in Biffontaine in 1984 by Mayor George Henri and Jean Bianchetti \u2014 were located in the middle of the forest.<\/p>\n<p>Walking the freedom trail in Boston in 1969, I dreamt for years to be able to do the same for my heroes. The Bicentennial of the French Revolution and the first presentation of the Bill of human rights to the French Convention gave me the opportunity to realize my third goal. I created and realized the Peace and Freedom Trail marked with 89 plaques retracing the story of each location.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, I saved the Jewish synagogue from destruction; it eventually became the Museum Henri Mathieu and told the story of the Japanese Americans to the visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Performing those tasks were not that easy. When I started, I was just concerned with keeping the legacy of my heroes alive. When my first son Sebastien was born, I didn\u2019t realize what legacy I would leave behind. It was when I got my second boy Martin, in 1998, that I visualized my work as forever proof of my love for my heroes, the American Samurais of the 100th\/442nd RCT, and\u00a0the grandfather of my sons, Max-Henri Moulin, the silent and quiet hero who was my father.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><em>*Originally published on the author\u2019s website, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nisei100442mishistory.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.nisei100442mishistory.com.<\/a><\/em>\u00a0\u00a9 2011 Pierre Moulin<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Link:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/2011\/10\/18\/legacy-for-my-sons\/\">http:\/\/www.discovernikkei.org\/en\/journal\/2011\/10\/18\/legacy-for-my-sons\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated on 04\/20\/2016 E.J. My late friend, Pierre MOULIN (1948-2016), founder of the Freedom and Liberty Trail in Bruy\u00e8res (Vosges, France), passed away last month in Honolulu, Hawai&#8217;i. May he not be forgotten for his amazing life work in honoring his heroes &#8211; the bravest Japanese American citizens of the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4880,62,4718,260,4730,8,160,161,9,10,11,4834,4720,165,58,170,16,172,59,20,56,22,181,4721,300,618,4722,4710,4763,193,195],"tags":[5112,5228,119,5117,1377,5130,5135,9811,697,134,135,2675,5139,5142,5145,5149,5150,5151,5152,5153,5154,5155,5156,5158,5159,5162,4936,5220,536,5170,5171,1322,5036,5173,5221,5230,5177,5179,5218,5247,152,1326,5184],"class_list":["post-13567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","category-asia","category-business","category-california","category-cinema","category-civil-rights","category-culture","category-diplomatie","category-dom-tom","category-ecology","category-economy","category-education","category-employment","category-environment","category-europe","category-french-american-relations","category-hawaii","category-history","category-immigration","category-internet","category-leadership","category-mdfde-2","category-medicine-and-health","category-obama-2012","category-politics","category-sciences","category-sculpture","category-security","category-society","category-tourism","category-womens-rights","category-world-war-ii","tag-noeud-de-lamitie","tag-the-friendship-knot","tag-barack-obama","tag-bruyeres-en-vosges","tag-elisabeth-jenssen","tag-fort-derussy","tag-harry-s-truman","tag-hawaii","tag-honolulu","tag-joe-biden","tag-john-kerry","tag-lallemagne","tag-lamicale-du-jumelage-bruyeres-hawaii","tag-la-bataille-de-bruyeres","tag-la-fontaine-de-la-paix","tag-laval","tag-lawson-sakai","tag-le-100442eme-regiment-de-combat","tag-le-12e-regiment-de-tirailleurs-senegalais","tag-le-15e-genie","tag-le-172e-r-i-f","tag-le-206e-r-r-p","tag-le-bataillon-perdu","tag-le-chemin-de-la-paix-et-de-la-liberte-cpl","tag-le-colonel-virgil-miller","tag-le-lieutenant-colonel-de-benguy","tag-le-senegal","tag-little-tokyo","tag-los-angeles","tag-martial-hilaire","tag-nisei","tag-pearl-harbor","tag-pierre-moulin","tag-pierrot-gaertner","tag-roger-yanagita","tag-shig-doi","tag-shinkichi-tajiri","tag-tsgt-miyamoto","tag-the-100th442ndmis-world-war-ii-memorial-foundation","tag-the-u-s-army-museum-of-hawaii-at-fort-derussy","tag-the-united-states-of-america","tag-vosges","tag-waikiki"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13567"}],"version-history":[{"count":72,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23458,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13567\/revisions\/23458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}