Thank you for joining in honouring and remembering the sacrifices made for our freedom at today’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park.
For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, the reception was reinstated at the Vancouver Rowing Club, providing a meaningful space for attendees to come together after the ceremony. Here, they had the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and learn more about Japanese Canadian veterans from a display. David Mitsui spoke about veteran Tak Irizawa, and a video message from Frank Moritsugu was shared. The occasion also served as a platform to express gratitude to all participants, organisers, and volunteers who contributed to the execution of this commemorative event.
“These events and memorials not only serve as a way to honour the contributions of Japanese Canadian veterans, but also promote understanding and unity among different communities in Canada. It emphasizes the shared commitment to peace, freedom, and remembrance of those who served their country.”
— David Mitsui, Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee member, and grandson of Sgt. Masumi Mitsui MM, fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WWI.
Wreath laying
- BESL Legion #9 Dave Mitsui, grandson of Sgt Mitsui MM
- S-ZO & Nisei Veterans Association, Mike Yamauchi
- Veterans Affairs Canada, Vancouver Office, Matt Rands
- RCMP
- Consul General of Japan, Consul General, Kohei Maruyama
- MP Vancouver Center office of Hedy Fry, Jack Hopkins
- MLA West End Coal Harbour, Spencer Chandra Herbert
- NAJC, Past President, Lorene Oikawa
- Nikkei Place (NNMCC, NPF, NSHCHS), NNMCC Board President, Herb Ono
- Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, Susanne Tabata
- St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon, Richard N. Liu & Farhang Ahadzadeh
- Jodo Shinshu Temples of BC, Ted Akune
- City of Vancouver, Councillor Christine Boyle
- VPD & Mounted Squad, Inspector Marco Veronesi
- Vancouver Parks Board, Commissioner Tom Digby
- GVJCCA, President Cary Sakiyama
- Tonari Gumi, Executive Director, Masako Arima
- VJLS & Hall, Director Mike Ueno
- Vancouver Konko Faith, Keiko Funahashi
- Vancouver Japanese Christian Churches, Alecia Greenfield
- Ofukai, President, Katsumi Kubo
- Poppy Wreath, Cathy Yamamoto
Volunteers
- Naomi Kamiya
- Mandy Shintani
- May Sato
- Lillian Morishita
- Jane Iwaasa
- Yui Deyell
- Hannah Iwaasa
- Makoto Iwaasa
- Cam Reid
- Justin Ault
- Dave Mitsui
- Hiroko Stuart
- Mike Yamauchi
- David Iwaasa
- Linda Kawamoto Reid
Thank you to:
- Kami Insurance for the generator
- Vancouver Buddhist Temple for the manju
