Now Accepting Submissions for Two New Veteran-Recognition Opportunities
Janis Tanji Wong
GFBNEC Vice President of Development and Strategic Initiatives
Go For Broke National Education Center will present a livestream broadcast of its 19th Annual Evening of Aloha Virtual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 4-5 p.m. PST or 1-2 p.m. HST. The annual gala will incorporate the unique traditions of EOA, honoring the nisei veterans of World War II, while keeping the safety of our communities top of mind.
Why “aloha?” From the islands of Hawai‘i to the mainland’s Japanese American concentration camps, the young Americans of Japanese ancestry from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service faced World War II together with shared values and cultural understandings. The Hawaiian spirit of “aloha” illustrates the values of kindness, unity, humility and perseverance. In the Japanese cultural context of lasting family and community relationships, each person is an important piece of the collective existence.
“We anticipate the largest viewing audience ever for this year’s Gala. During the current pandemic, we have made tremendous strides in broadening our online presence,” shared Center President and CEO Mitch Maki, referring to the GFBNEC Monument Anniversary tribute in June. The streamed anniversary drew over 10,000 viewers, adding to the recent success of the Center’s public programming which has been viewed by thousands online, “This gala will illustrate further that the Nisei veterans’ experience is a compelling American story with relevance and significance to today,” he added.
Hosted live by Maki and David Ono, ABC and Eyewitness News Anchor and member of GFBNEC’s board of directors, this EOA will retain all the celebratory hallmarks that make this event a true community highlight.
In its first virtual approach to this event, GFBNEC will present two unique veteran-recognition opportunities:
• The first, “Living Nisei WWII Photo Tribute,” will virtually replicate one of the event’s most treasured moments: the live recognition of veterans onstage. GFBNEC has expanded this opportunity to all World War II nisei veterans nationwide, allowing families and organizations to submit an in-service military photo and a current photo of living nisei World War II veterans. All veteran photos will be displayed during the EOA program. Deadline for free submission of photos is Friday, October 30.
• The second opportunity is a special “Thank A Veteran” pre-show digital ad sponsorship, which must be purchased on the GFBNEC website by October 30 (including submission of materials). Benefits include having the honoree’s photo and a donor message scrolled during the event pre-show; the honoree’s photo and tribute posted on GFBNEC’s Facebook page and on goforbroke.org; and the honoree’s photo included in an Evening of Aloha wrap up e-blast.
To participate in these two new online opportunities, visit GFBNEC’s website for more information
EOA proceeds will support GFBNEC’s new online educational initiatives, including expanded national outreach, social media presence, and dynamic programming to engage younger, more diverse audiences. For more information on how to support GFBNEC and EOA, visit goforbroke.org, email development@goforbroke.org or call (310) 328-0907.
Go For Broke National Education Center is a nonprofit organization that educates the public on the valor of Japanese
American veterans of World War II and their contributions to democracy. Our goal is to inspire new generations to embody the Nisei veterans’ core values of courage, sacrifice, equality, humility and patriotism. Founded in 1989, GFBNEC maintains the Go For Broke Monument and the interactive “GFBNEC’s Defining Courage Exhibition” in downtown Los Angeles, as well as extensive oral histories and archives, education and training programs and other initiatives. For more information, please visit goforbroke.org.
