Tag: history

In Honor of Memorial Day: 442

by ksakai1

Honoring Memorial Day: Read My Graphic Novel “442” Free for a Limited Time

Today is Memorial Day—a time dedicated to remembering and honoring the countless individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country.

To mark the occasion this year, I wanted to do something special to help keep a crucial piece of American history alive. For a very short time, I am making my graphic novel, 442, completely free to read online.

Why This Story Matters

For those unfamiliar with the history, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was a fighting unit during World War II composed almost entirely of second-generation Japanese American (Nisei) soldiers.

What makes their story so profoundly moving—and incredibly vital to remember—is the context of their service. While these young men were fighting with unmatched bravery on the battlefields of Europe, their own families back home were being unjustly held behind barbed wire in American internment camps.

Despite facing intense prejudice and systemic discrimination from the very government they wore the uniform for, they fought with everything they had. Their motto was “Go for Broke.” They lived it, they fought by it, and they became the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and duration of service.

A Labor of Love

Writing 442 was a deeply personal journey for me. History books give you the dates and the statistics, but graphic novels have a unique way of capturing the humanity, the emotion, and the quiet moments of resilience between the battles. I wanted to honor their fierce loyalty, their sacrifices, and the heavy burden they carried for future generations.

We cannot let their legacy fade.

How to Read

The graphic novel is open and free to read right now, but only for a limited time over the Memorial Day holiday.

You can access the full story directly via the link below:

👉 [Click Here to Read “442” for Free]

Thank you for reading, for remembering, and for helping to keep the memory of the 442nd alive.

— Koji

Episode 02 | Mother Teresa: The Saint’s Secret Ledger

by ksakai1

Koji Steven Sakai tunes the “Dead Air” signal to 1997 to pull the world’s most untouchable brand into a South Pasadena garage for an audit. Mother Teresa built a legacy on the “beauty of suffering,” but the receipts tell a different story. From running 14th-century-style plague wards while seeking world-class cardiac care for herself, to her cozy relationships with dictators and a $1.25 million thrift-store scandal, Koji cross-examines the “small pencil” to see if her moral ledger actually balances out.

THE AUDIT TRAIL

Medical Standards & The “Philosophy of Suffering”

The Dictators & The Donors

The Faith Audit

SOUND CREDITS

  • Gravel Footsteps (Sassaby): https://freesound.org/s/827831/
  • Vicki Hamilton: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/394326/
  • Freesound Community: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/48537/
  • Freesound Community: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/34545/
  • Pixabay Effect 240674: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/240674/

Next Episode: Koji goes back to the 1940s to audit FDR and the “Splendid Deception” behind Executive Order 9066.

Subscribe and leave an audit (review) on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

New Episode: Japanse America Podcast Honoring Nisei Vets

by ksakai1

In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the incredible stories of Japanese American Nisei veterans who displayed extraordinary bravery and patriotism during World War II. Led by David Ono, a renowned anchor from KABC-TV, the episode highlights the heroics of units like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service. These soldiers faced significant prejudice and the injustice of incarceration, yet they chose to serve the United States with unparalleled valor, as exemplified by their swift capture of a strategic hill in Italy. The episode also honors figures such as Senator Daniel Inouye, whose leadership and courage left an indelible mark on history. Through poignant storytelling and personal reflections, the podcast not only celebrates these unsung heroes but also explores the broader Japanese American experience, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Nisei soldiers and their significant contributions to America’s diverse heritage.

ABOUT US

David Ono is the co-anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News at 4 pm and 6 pm and was recently named Anchor of the Year in the U.S. by Broadcast and Cable.

David joined ABC7 in 1996 and, during that time, has witnessed history worldwide, covering Hurricane Katrina, Haiti’s earthquake, and Japan’s tsunami. He traveled across Europe and Asia, chronicling the brave acts of the Nisei soldier from World War II.

David has produced multiple award-winning documentaries, two of which have made their way to the Smithsonian Institution.

David has won 12 Edward R. Murrow awards, 31 Emmys, 2 RTDNA National Unity Awards, 6 AAJA National Journalism Awards, and was honored with the Distinguished Journalist Award by the Society of Professional Journalists. He has also received both the Journalist of the Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the LA Press Club.

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum