The Veterans Memorial Court Alliance (VMCA) together with co-sponsors Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Japanese American National Museum, Keiro and Little Tokyo Service Center, announced the following:
On Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM, the Annual Memorial Day Service to honor all Japanese Americans who gave their lives in our nation’s wars, will be held adjacent to the Japanese American National War Memorial Court (Memorial Court) at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC), located at 244 S. San Pedro Street in the Little Tokyo District of Los Angeles, California.
Japanese American community and nation are forever indebted to these Japanese Americans from all wars, whose names are engraved on the four black granite walls of the Memorial Court, for their supreme sacrifice for the United States of America.
The organizer announces that the keynote speaker will be Congressman Mark Takano.
Congressman Takano represents the 39th Congressional District in Riverside and is the ranking member of the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
Mistress of Ceremonies will be Maile Yanguas, Board Member of Veterans Memorial Court Alliance and granddaughter of a Korean War Veteran.
Performing the National Anthem and God Bless America will be Saxophonist Justin Klunk. Harold Payne will also sing his original composition, a tribute to those who served in Vietnam.
Also participating will be representatives from the many veteran and community organizations throughout the Southern California area.
The Koyasan Buddhist Temple Boy Scout Troop 379 and the Redondo Union High School Marine Corp Jr. ROTC will again perform the uniformed ceremonies of the service. Representatives from the Buddhist and Christian faiths will offer prayers to these brave men.
Gold Star Mothers, Fathers and Families who are in attendance will be acknowledged.
The organizer invites all members of the community to join the event to remember and honor Japanese American heroes who gave their precious lives on behalf of Japanese Americans.
