The United States Postal Service officially released the Go For Broke Soldiers Stamp on June 3, 2021, and posted an 8-minute USPS stamp release video on their social media. USPS allowed Stamp Our Story Coalition partners across the country to organize small stamp ceremonies beginning on June 4th.
Stamp Our Story Coalition partners volunteered to conduct ceremonies in the following locations in June 2021:
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Sacramento, California
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii
Houston, Texas
Portland, Oregon
Ontario, Oregon
Minidoka NHS, Idaho
The local committees created both in-person and virtual programs. Seven of the programs that were videotaped are provided below.
The Stamp Our Story Founders and Committee wish to sincerely thank ALL of the many volunteers across the nation who helped make these ceremonies a reality. Each is unique and wonderful in its own way, and they bring honor to and help preserve the American legacy of the Nisei men and women who served during World War II.
***
FIRST CITY OF ISSUANCE DEDICATION
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2021
Some photos from the LA event, courtesy of Mario G. Reyes and the Stamp Our Story Committee (Los Angeles):
Floral presentation at the Japanese American National War Memorial Court (L to R): Tim Yuge, Robert Horsting, Audrey Kim, Wayne Osako, Ron Yuen (behind), Diane Yuen, Fusa Takahashi (seated), Lynn Franklin, Ken Hayashi (behind), James Nakamura, Norm Franklin (behind), Wayne King, and Sue Lind.Floral presentation at the Go For Broke Monument. L to R, Diane Yuen, Fusa Takahashi, and Lynn Franklin. (Courtesy of Mario G. Reyes)Ann Burroughs provides welcomes the attendees and opens with a statement on the stamp’s release. Ann is the CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, which hosted the event.USPS Los Angeles Senior Plant Manager Daniel Hirai provides remarks on the stamp release.Go For Broke Soldiers Stamp unveiling, by (L to R), Kimi Thompson, Fusa Takahashi, and Daniel Hirai.Wayne King (left) and James Nakamura (right) read letters from Nisei Soldier Frank Kondo and his father. Wayne is the son of SOSC co-founder Aiko O. King.Kimi Thompson gives remarks on the stamp release. She is the granddaughter of SOSC Founder/Co-Chair Fusa Takahashi.Sandra Tanamachi reads the letter of Mary Pat Higgins Abrunzo, daughter of the late US Army Capt. Marty Higgins. Capt. Higgins was the commanding officer of the men who survived the “Battle of Lost Battalion” fought and won by Nisei Soldiers of the 100th/442nd RCT during World War II.Leslie Tramer, daughter of the late US Army Lt. Erwin Blonder, gives remarks on the stamp. Lt. Blonder was one of the men of the “Lost Battalion” rescued by Nisei Soldiers during the war in France.Dr. John Mitamura, son of the late SOSC co-founder Chiz Ohira, provides remarks on the stamp release.SOSC Co-Chair Wayne Osako provides remarks on the stamp.Hiroshima band members June Kuramoto and Kimo Cornwell performed “Thousand Cranes” at the ceremony.Nisei Soldier Stamp Dedication – L to R, SOSC Co-Chair Wayne Osako, SOSC Founder/Co-Chair Fusa Takahashi, and Daniel Hirai (USPS Los Angeles Senior Plant Manager).Nisei Veterans in attendance: L to R, Ralph Matsumoto (MIS), Yosh Nakamura (442nd RCT), and Don Miyada (100th Bn).Dignitaries in attendance: L to R, Ralph Matsumoto (MIS), Rep. Mark Takano, Ann Burroughs (CEO, Japanese American National Museum), SOSC Founder/Co-Chair Fusa Takahashi (seated), Yosh Nakamura (442nd RCT), Don Miyada (100th Bn), and Utah State Senator Jani Iwamoto (seated).Nisei Soldier Stamp Dedication – The USPS set up a table to sell the Go For Broke Stamp and related products at the Japanese American National Museum.
***
HONOLULU, HAWAII
JUNE 4TH, 2021
***
BAY AREA VIRTUAL STAMP DEDICATION
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
JUNE 4TH, 2021
***
HOUSTON STAMP DEDICATION
HOUSTON, TEXAS
JUNE 4TH, 2021
***
KAUAI, HAWAII
JUNE 4TH, 2021
Some photos from the event, courtesy of Carolyn Morinishi:
