The Northwest Times

Ex-G.I. Notes

By EX-G.I. JOE

Nisei vets and supporters, we hope that we can supply you with interesting facts, stories, figures, news and personality sketches of GI figures. Also the doings and planning of the Nisei Veterans Committee. "GI JOE" will be any vet that can supply a few hours, every so often, to meet the deadline. If any of you vets wish to have some news item inserted in this column please call "GI JOE" at CApital 9210. This number will serve as the clearing-phone.

Gentlemen, it looks like we're going to have the "BATTLE OF HILL 140" or the "BATTLE OF TARAWA" all over again right here in our backyard. The nisei veteran's wife is on the warpath and is coming out fighting with her B.A.R., Tommygun and a belt full of hand grenades. She's stuck it out long enough waiting for the NvC to organize a Women's Auxiliary. She's had enough of this "Oh honey, I've got to go to the Vets Meeting, Beer Bust, Vets Movie, etc., etc., etc." She'd like to get in on the activities too. Perhaps at the present time there's no need of wrapping bandages, gift bags and such but it's a warning to you menfolks that you'd better get on the ball and do something about it. Before long you'll have to organize combat patrols to break-up bridge-games and gabfests ... and remember, combat is nothing to a lot of these women. They held their own in camps when they had to put a lot of these two-faced artists in their place.

Here's warning boys ... The GI BILL time has petered-out, as of July 25th of this year. If you've got plans for education, vocational rehabilitation, loan guarantees and 52-20 readjustment allowances, you will be working against time now. Check with the VA Department if you have anything in mind.

If you are pretty well settled in your career and have un-used time, why don't you take advantage of it like "Baby-face Commando" Art Kaisaki of Lewiston, Idaho. A Silver Star and Bronze Star winner from Love Company is learning to fly one of these Piper Cub planes. Though his left arm is still in bad shape he can handle one in pretty good style. So, if you too are in a position to learn to fly, why don't you take a run down to a nearby airport and sign up.

To you ESQUIRE fans if you're in the market for a sporting ring here's the dope. The NISEI VETERANS ASSOCIATION of LOS Angeles is handling the 442nd Souvenir 14k Ring. It's really a beauty and something proud to wear. The NVA is selling it for $26.50. If you're interested, get the finger size and dough and mail it to: NISEI VETERANS ASSOCIATION, 357 East First Street, Los Angeles, California. We highly recommend it.

State Bonus Fans waiting for '48 ... the bonus situation here on the West Coast is pretty sad as yet, but when '48 rolls around it should turn from cold to hot. Thus far the following states are paying bonus up to these figures: Connecticut $300, Illinois $15 month with no limit, Massachusetts $300, Michigan $500, New Hampshire $100, Rhode Island $200, Vermont $120 and Alaska $10 month with no limit. And in nine states in the next three years it will be referred to the voters.

The President Okays Terminal Leave Bonds ... that's good news to us. Perhaps many of us don't need the dough just now but to the majority of us it was the principal of it. We recommend that when September 2nd rolls around, hang on and don't make a dash down to the bank. Why not hang on and let them acquire interest at the rate of 2.5 per cent. Let it ride and make a little extra dough.

Which way are we going Chum? ... there's talk among the old-timers of throwing a Main Boulevard BON VOYAGE. Commented one popular GI, "these die-hards don't know it but it won't help. They'll have some crack-pot Pearl Harbor League race-baiters making a frontal attack. And by Jove, we ain't going to be asleep either. I'd like to see some Jerk hot-foot it down the hill, on the double and counting cadence to boot. Some of these blokes think they're in the ole-country yet. Man alive!! Won't they ever wake-up!! Nisei and Sansei who "Hi. Hi" to their folks on traditional and cultural matters ought to be examined. Many of the older folks have never gone back to Japan since they first came and believe the Japan of old is still the same."

They don't know that there's plenty of people that can really "cut the rug," jump and jive to a fast eight-to-a-bar." They don't know that there's plenty of shapely chorus gals shaking them limbs and that even now they are wrestling in the mud .. women I mean. Maybe, the folks here need a little Westernizing instead of them over there."

Twenty nisei with sansei Jo Jo Juniors go to town ... the NvC after some negotiating succeeded in getting free passes for the kids. The NvC is trying to get much more tickets than the above sum in the very near future, Joe Kesamaru, Mac Nishimoto and Hiro Nishimura provided transportation for the youngsters to Sick's Rainier Stadium last Saturday night. Even though the Suds were beaten by a terrific score these young ones really went to town. Mac and Hiro sure took a beating everytime some guy made a hit. Rapped on the skull in the front seats the above two were simply groggy. Hiro stated, "I don't mind taking 'em out again cuz it makes me feel good to see the kids enjoy themselves, but I sure hate to see kids bring a bat and konk me on the head everytime Novikoff rams one against the wall. You won't find me sitting in front of them anymore. I'll be right back of them next time."

Seattle Times Salmon Derby Fever ... it's at a new high folks. The finals is just around the corner and for the first time you'll see members of the minority competing for the new cars. In a recent bull session one qualified contestant stated, "My friends, I'll go out there fighting and with everything I've got and if I land the one I dream of every darn night I'll consider going into the taxicab business to see how many miles I can get on a gallon. And mind you, I ain't going to charge a cent." Good luck boys!!!

PERSONALITY SKETCHES

Edo Sasaki, Sam Sakai, Mas Watanabe, Haruo Kato, Koichi Yegi, Joshua Hata and a few other vets are in California on a business and pleasure trip.

Congratulations are in order to Mr. Kenji Ota and Mr. Hank Nakagawa. They have returned from California with their brides. Congratulations also to Mr. and Mrs. Mich Shimomura on the birth of a 8 lb. 13 oz. baby.

Bachelors will be tougher to find then a needle in a haystack. So girls, you'd better take a warning. Dan Cupid is hitting his stride. The latest gent is hard-working and one of the pillars of the NvC Howard Minato. His engagement has been announced. Mr. Stork is also working overtime, Mich "Pappy" Shinoda will be passing out cigars soon. Congratulations also to Mr. and Mrs. Tosh Funai for the birth of their son.

It's just a joke, but remember the first day you spent in some recruit camp with size 15 shoes and a cap that came down to your nose. And when you dashed around looking like a soldier.' Some old-timers would always yell "you'll be sorry!!"

Well, the boys who recently exchanged vows and pledged their engagement .. let's get our two-bits worth in .., "you'll be sorry!!"

Tiny but powerful George "Okie" Okamura will be on hand for the Puget Sound League Play-Off when the Nisei Vets tangle with the Italians. Okie since playing has added that necessary punch both defensively and offensively. To those of you who witnessed the Portland Nisei Vets and Seattle Nisei Vets mixer at the last Tournament won't forget his circus catch in the left field that had all of us going nuts, Juggling but with coolness he robbed some other vet of a circuit trip. Speaking of baseball, Ted Matsushita the slugger and mainstay clutch hitter of the vets plays that first sack superbly. You just can't make a wild throw to him. He'll catch anything horizontal or vertical. Duffy "Speed" Kiyohara tried to explain that in his prime he used to beat out hits but now he goes after distance since it's too tiring burning up the diamond. Talking about speed, Poison Kato ofter times beats a batter down to first base. Here's a hustler that can keep up the tempo of a game. His untiring efforts to back up plays have saved many a game.

Mits Sato of Carnation, who is also expecting a third addition to his family, is one of the few sportsman here that can hold his own in a skeet match. With regularity he can knock off clay pigeons.

Shig Kosugi the veteran florist has knocked off a month from his business and has gone to study under the GI Bill of Rights in Denver attending a Florist School.

Speaking about businessmen we have two super hustlers in the smiling Higashi brothers. In close to a minute after you drive in to their gas station they and their minute men give the works before you can say "Brother". Windows, gas, air, oil, water, etc., in a flash. They are coming along at a very good clip.