Memorial address, Dec. 3, 1944, Topaz Relocation Center

              memorial service de_c^mbjy^j5j topaz utah address mr i'lasaru narahara chairman community council mr chairman representatives of the american legion the aclmini sttatior the residents of this community and friends we are here gathered as or body we have come to acknowledge our indebtedness to show our respect and honor those ten valiant men who marched forth from among us to shed upon world battlefields in europe their lifes1 blood but also are we come to rededicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the great ideals of justice and humanity for which they each gave the last full measure of devotion to these 10 soldiers of the 423 who are represented here on our beautifu service flag we pay special honor today we honor them because we realize that they had to confront not one enenr but two at home the insidious enemies of democracy who questioned the integrity of loyal americans of japanese ancestry abroad the fchoroughl trained organized and equipped armies of europe we honor them because of the high esteem in which they were iield by those who knew them best - their mothers in february of this year these devoted mothers conscious not only of the great purposes of the founding fathers of these onited states to form more perfect union provide for the common defense promote the general welfare secure the blessing of liberty anc to vouch safe to its people and right to petition the government for a redress of grievances but also conscious of their sons loyalty to these united states did petition the president of this nation in their petition they set forth not only their willingness but also their desire to heve their sons respond to call to the colors but at the seme time respect fully requested that their sons be allowed to do so without abridgment of their civil rights we honor them because despite the strains to which evacu at'toit had subject ed them the conflict of opinions surrounding them and the strong ties of affection which bound them to their dislocated families and despite theii tender years they had so much fortitude and courage that for the most par they responded to call of their country in the capacity of volunteers we honor them because of the manner in which they fought and died such an account of themselves have all american soldiers of japanese ancestry given on every assignment anc every battlefield of this war as to bring nothing but words of admiration and respect from even those whose hearts have been blinded with prejudice we honor them also for hat their sacrifices have and may mean in years to come in terms of better understanding and appreciation of persons in this country of jsppjiese ancestry but today as one body we would honor not only these 10 valiant men but also their gold star mothers end family members who were torn by separa tion held for months in anxiety bowed in grief at the news of death and must now complete the journey of life without the companionship those loved ones who gave their all but they ave their all with hope in their hearts that their fijtit was not in vain let us then from their lives take a fuller measure of ce votion let us here resolve we will rededicate ourselves to the ful fillment of their dream that the present gigantic forces of disruption and destruction may be rechanneled somehow into the work of reunion and construction may we become from this day forth a living memorial by devoting all that we hsve and are to that better world for all mankind for which our honored dead so valiantly lived and bravely died