November 14, 2023
2023 Remembrance Day ceremony
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
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.
Download the program (600k)
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
Watch: 2023 Remembrance Day ceremony
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