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The
Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee
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The
Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) was formed in 1946 by Japanese-American
soldiers who served in World War II in the highly decorated 442nd
Regimental Combat Team in Europe and the Military Intelligence Service
(MIS) in the Pacific Theater. Since its inception the NVC has been
a tower of strength in Seattle's Japanese-American Community and the
"Vet's Hall" has become an important landmark in our community.
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In 2002
the NVC created the NVC Foundation not only to preserve the legacy
of Japanese-American soldiers who served in the highly decorated 442nd
Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service during
World War II, but to also to honor Nikkei soldiers who have served
in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada and the Middle East.
The NVC Foundation's slogan is "Honor the Past while Educating
the Future." Through our educational programs, our speakers
provide presentations at local schools, churches and organizations
where living legends describe their experiences on the battlefield
and in internment camps. However, with each passing day, fewer and
fewer members of the "Greatest Generation" remain and the
NVC Foundation is committed to recording additional oral histories
and developing an educational curriculum and enhanced video presentations
to enable the stories of our heroes to be passed on to future generations.
By collecting, preserving and retelling their stories, we can assure
the impact these brave heroes had on our lives and on our nation will
live forever.
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In
the fall of 2005 the NVC embarked on a capital campaign to raise $2.5
million dollars to expand and renovate the NVC Memorial Hall located
at 1212 South King Street in Seattle. We started construction in March
of 2007 and construction was completed a year later with the Memorial
Hall rededication on March 15, 2008
The major concern with the renovation of the old NVC clubhouse at
its current site was inadequate parking around the building. The surrounding
area is both residential and commercial with very little street parking.
For major events at the NVC Memorial Hall, participants must walk
for many blocks to find parking which, in some cases, makes it impossible
for the elderly to attend activities at the Hall.
In order to provide adequate parking, the NVC Foundation has initiated
a campaign to obtain additional parking for the Memorial Hall. The
additional parking will make the building an accessible community
center for all members of the community.
The NVC Memorial Hall will be the cornerstone of the NVC Foundation's
future educational activities and will serve as a memorial to all
Nikkei Veterans. If you are able to participate, we would appreciate
your financial support in the purchase of additional parking for the
NVC Memorial Hall. The NVC Foundation is recognized by the IRS as
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your contribution is therefore
tax deductible. We hope we can count on your support!
NVC Foundation Capital Campaign. P.O. Box 3042, Seattle, WA 98114
For more
information, please see our website at www.seattlenvc.org.
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(Photo
taken at 2006 Aki Matsuri)
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