National Veterans Network Announces Two Programs

Artist rendering of the Nisei Soldier travelling exhibition. WASHINGTON – National Veterans Network (NVN), Executive Director Christine Sato Yamazaki, announced two national programs in conjunction with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the National Museum of the U.S Army as part of a Veterans Day celebration.
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These programs aim to educate and share the stories of 33,000 Japanese Americans, who served in the U.S. military in World War II. They also include the experiences of 120,000 Japanese Americans, who were forced into WRA incarceration camps. Sato-Yamazaki stated that 'NVN's mission in today's climate is crucial to continue to educate public about the Japanese American history to ensure its stories are not forgotten.
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"We are grateful for our continued collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the National Army Museum. These programs will allow the NVN continue its mission and share these stories. The National Army Museum, Army Historical Foundation and the National Veterans Network have teamed up to create a traveling exhibit in ten cities to share the incredible heroism of Nisei Soldiers who enlisted to serve during World War II. It will highlight the heroic actions of these soldiers, as well as the incredible sacrifices made by the 4,000 WRA concentration camp evacuees. The travelling exhibition, "The Nisei Soldier Experience, Two-Front War," will focus on the service from the point of view of those who fought for democracy abroad and fought against prejudice at home. The National Army Museum's new special exhibit will increase its area from 800 to 1,200 feet. It will include 35 historical objects, 50 to 75 images, and three audio-visual kiosks. Visitors will be able to access nine individual soldier stories as well as an interactive map of the European-Pacific campaigns made up of 16 videos.
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The traveling exhibit will be in 10 cities throughout the country, starting in 2026 and continuing for five years. It will be held in the following states: California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Georgia, Hawaii and Illinois. The NVN, in partnership with Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, (APAC), will host a three day Teacher Training Institute in Washington D.C. in 2023. This institute will offer professional development, historical training, access to curricula, and educational resources for elementary school and middle school teachers.
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This training will cover the history and consequences of mass incaceration. The two curriculums 'What Was Life Like at Camp?' and 'What Would You Do?' will guide the training. Lessons and activities for elementary schools, and 'What Would you Do?' Lessons and activities for elementary schools, as well as 'What Would You Do?' activities for middle school were developed by APAC and NVN in collaboration with teachers. These lessons are inspired by stories of real-life Nisei soldiers, including Stanley Hayami (16 years old), Terry Nakanishi (16 years old), who served as a Women's Army Corps soldier, Daniel Inouye (442nd Regimental Combat team soldier), and Fred Korematsu (who defied Executive Order 9066 which required the involuntary relocation of Japanese Americans).
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Through a nomination process, educators from Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Washington, D.C., will be selected to participate in Teacher Training Institute. The Teacher Training Institute is partially supported by the Department of Interior (NPS), National Park Service (NPS), through the Japanese American Confinement Sites grant program
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Currently, NVN is seeking artifacts from the families of Nisei soldiers who volunteered at the WRA camps for traveling exhibition, teachers interested to participate in the Teacher Training Institute, and sponsors for both programs. Visit URL for more information. NVN's mission, to promote equality and justice, is to educate future and current generations about the remarkable legacy of Japanese-American WWII soldiers.
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The organization launched a campaign in 2010 to award the Congressional Gold Medal at the 100th, 442nd, and MIS units. It also worked closely with Congress and the U.S. Mint on the design of the medal. The organization partnered in 2012 with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the National Museum of American History to conduct a seven-city tour in support of the recognition of the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal.
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NVN, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, and Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History launched an online digital exhibit in 2016 to tell the story of Japanese American soldiers of WWII. (URL). NVN collaborated with the National Museum of the U.S Army from 2017 to 2020 to collect artifacts of Japanese American WWII soldiers, their families, and create a special exhibit
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The Army Historical Foundation supports, promotes and assists programs that preserve the history and contributions of all U.S. components and promotes public appreciation and understanding.
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Army and its members. The Army's official fundraising entity, the foundation is responsible for the Capital Campaign to fund the National Museum of the United States Army. The museum, which is LEED-certified and award-winning was opened in Nov
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11th of May 2020 at Fort Belvoir (Va.) to honor all American soldiers who served since 1775, when the Army was founded. Visit URL for more information about the foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army. The National Museum of the United States Army is the only comprehensive representation of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American soldier.
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The museum preserves, interprets and exhibits valuable artifacts and links Americans to their oldest military service. The museum is owned and operated by the U.S. Army
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The Army Historical Foundation continues to fund the museum's support and manages all catering, retail and special events. Visit URL for more information about the museum. The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center was founded in 1997. It promotes appreciation, inclusion and understanding of Asian Pacific American culture, history, art and culture through research, exhibitions, collections and public programs.
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The center collaborates with galleries and museums across the Smithsonian and the globe. Visit URL for more information.