Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS / Rafu ShimpoThe East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center partnered once again with the City of West Covina to host the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival on April 26 at Plaza West Covina.

Into the UniformEnlisting wasnt always about patriotism — it was about survival.and RebuildingSome found success.

who served honorably when their country called.is the legacy that the JA Sansei Vietnam veterans carry forward to enrich posterity.political ostracism and discrimination.

Racism and RealityDiscrimination didnt stay in the jungle — it followed us home.which forever changed the nations perception of Japanese Americans.

military service became the alternative.

That generational silence became our own — until our war forced us to confront it.both long-time residents of the city.

which will include a variety of amenities.posted on Facebook: Satoru Tsuneishi was the first Asian American to graduate from the Monrovia-Arcadia High School.

Lucinda Garcia and Julian Fisher were everyday people who made extraordinary contributions to building our community.And while my grandfather and grandmother were incarcerated.