The Japanese American community has worked tirelessly to ensure that the illegal incarceration and indefinite detention of American citizens during World War II would never happen again.  This Act contains language that may be interpreted to allow the President to authorize the military to detain anyone in our country, including U.S. citizens without charge or trial.

Please use the link below to send a message to President Obama.

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Former Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff Robert Vessey with Khao Insixiengmay, Lao Advancement Organization of America and Royal Lao Veterans of America

By J. Lee
The State of Minnesota commemorated Veterans Day “Honoring All Who Served” Defending Liberty and Freedom on what some believe as a “lucky day” because of the numbers “11.11.11”.

Eric Shinseki, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee designated the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2011.  Ceremonies opened with Minnesota VFW Commander Ray Trebus and MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs Commissioner-General Larry Shellito who also received Governor Mark Dayton’s Proclamation Honoring Veterans.

All speakers thanked the veterans, service members and families for their service and sacrifices.

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WASHINGTON (Nov. 14, 2011) — A new research report contributes to the increasing evidence that repeated occupational exposure to certain chemical solvents raises the risk for Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers analyzed the occupational histories of twins in which one of the pair developed the neurodegenerative disorder, and assessed that twin’s likelihood of exposure to six chemicals previously linked to Parkinson’s. Of the six chemicals investigated, researchers concluded that two common chemical solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), are significantly linked to development of this disease.

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Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2, 2011) — Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki spoke at the Congressional Gold Medal Gala Dinner in honor of Nisei veterans.

Honorees from the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, were present unless passed on and represented by their spouses, children, grandchildren and friends.

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AARP hosted a special Congressional Gold Medal replica presentation in Washington on Nov. 2. From left, Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, AARP; Susumu Ito, Congressional Gold Medal Honoree; David Kim, AARP; Jake lozada, AARP; Ito’s grandson. (AARP photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 3, 2011) — On Nov. 2, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus honored Japanese-American veterans of the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service for their dedicated service during World War II.

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At the Drake Building in St. Paul last Friday, March 25, 2011, from left: U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN); Dai Vinh, Bronze Star recipient; Carol Tran, spouse; Mike Vinh and Phuc Vinh, sons; and granddaughter Kayla in front.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 12, 2011) — U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on Thursday met with Dai Vinh, a Vietnamese-American war hero from Richfield to present him with his long-lost Bronze Star Medal.

Dai Vinh served as a Captain in the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. He was awarded the Bronz Star medal for saving several American lives in a mortar attack in 1968. However, his medal was lost in transit when Vinh moved to Minnesota after the United States withdrew from Vietnam in 1975.

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LOS ANGELES (Sept. 23, 2011) — House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Members of Congress announced this week that the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to honor Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as well as veterans of the Military Intelligence Service will take place on November 2, 2011.

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Fang Wong, American Legion Vice Commander

BY J. LEE
AAP staff writer

Representing over 2.4 million American Legion members who served in the military including those with veteran status, about 10,000 Legionnaires, Auxiliary members who were mostly spouses, Sons of the American Legion, other family members and relatives, guests, supporters and many highest level dignitaries came together for the National American Legion Convention at the Minneapolis Convention August 26-September 1, 2011.

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By Frank Viviano
New America Media

San Francisco (July 6, 2011) – BARGA, Italy – My head tells me it’s time to leave. But my heart, for reasons grounded in personal experience, is profoundly wary.

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Front left: Ngu Duong, Tuy Nguyen, Dong Nguyen and Nghiep Nguyen. Rear left: Tuan Tran, Tu Le, Tuan Pham, Hon Truong and new Board President Phuc Ngo. (Photo by Duong Ngu)

By Mai Hoang

The Annual Meeting of The South Vietnam Military Service Fellowship of Minnesota was held at U Garden Restaurant in Minneapolis on June 19, 2011, which is also South Vietnam Military Day, a special holiday created by the Republic of (South) Vietnam Government 50 years ago. The South Vietnam Military Day tradition continues past the fall of Saigon in 1975, in expatriate communities of former veterans and citizens of the Republic of Vietnam. Vietnamese organizations and around the United States and the World have organized this special holiday, including Minnesota.

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