Wiesenthal Center Backs Nisei Stamp
By GWEN MURANAKA
AFUENGLISH EDITORIN CHIEF
Monday, Dec. 31, 2007

Leading Jewish human rights group adds endorsement to postage stamp campaign.

A movement to honor Nisei World War II veterans with a postage stamp gained a new ally on Thursday as the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish human rights organization, an­nounced its support for the campaign.

“You can count on us to work with you to expand the base of support to get this stamp done in a timely fashion,” vowed Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the U.S. Post Office’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend issuing a commemorative stamp for Nisei WWII veterans.

Cooper said he was reminded of his longtime friendship with Clarence Matsumura, a member of the 100th Battalion that took part in the libera­tion of the Dachau concentration camp. The Museum of Tolerance has a long association with Nisei veterans and has incorporated Matsumura’s story and others into their exhibitions. Rabbi Cooper was approached about the stamp campaign by Rabbi Shmuel Novack of Jacksonville, Fla.

Novack’s grandfather, Capt. David Novack, grew up in Boyle Heights and was an officer serving in the 100th In­fantry Battalion Co. A. He lost his leg in Italy in April 1945 during the Battle for the Gothic Line.

Sam Fujikawa, 100th Battalion, became emotional as he talked about Capt. Novack.

“He was wounded just before the war was over in the last push in Italy on April 10,” said Fujikawa.

Shmuel Novack met with 100th members during a recent reunion in Las Vegas. According to his grandson, Capt. Novack, who died 10 years ago, didn’t speak of his war experiences. He was a popular officer with his men, often visiting wounded soldiers. Speaking from Florida, Novack said the ex-sol­diers shared stories about the day his grandfather was wounded.

“They started crying when they re­membered seeing him carried down with his leg. They would still cry thinking about his pain,” said Rabbi Novack. “I love these veterans. They’re such beautiful and humble people — they’re heroes.”

Those in attendance at the press conference included Alhambra Mayor Stamp Gary Yamauchi, former Monterey Park Mayor Betty Tom Chu, Liebe Geft, director of the Museum of Tolerance, and Christine Sato Yamazaki, executive director of the Go For Broke National Education Center.

Chu said her city was the first to pass a resolution to endorse the campaign and that she is working with other Asian American city and state officials to gather more supporters. The mayor noted past tensions between Japanese and Chinese and credited the Nisei with paving the way for greater acceptance of all Asian Americans.

“It is time for all of us to realize, but for the efforts of World War II Japanese American Nisei veterans, many of us would not be here today,” Chu said.

The Nisei stamp campaign was started by Aiko King, Chiz Ohira and Fusa Takahashi, wives of Nisei veterans.

Wayne Osako, campaign organizer, said the U.S. Post Office’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee will meet in January.

The earliest possible date a stamp could be produced is 2010.

If accepted, the Nisei veterans stamp would be one of only a handful of U.S. postage stamps to honor Asian Pacific Americans. Surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku was recognized in 2002 and in 1992, following lobbying by the Organization of Chinese Americans, the USPS issued a series of stamps highlighting the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Robert Ichikawa, a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team E Co., said, “I think we’ve all worked hard for it, I think we should have one. They’ve made some for a lot of actors and other people, but nothing for the 442. It would be nice.”

For those who wish to support the Nisei WWII Stamp Campaign, visit the online petition at www.niseistamp.org or write to elected officials to sign the “Dear Colleague” Congressional Letter.