This month we highlight the exciting results of our recent work that shares the Go For Broke spirit and legacy of the Nisei WWII veterans to diverse audiences. Specifically, we have been focused on inspiring civic dialogue and community impact projects through our signature initiative, the National Torchbearer Program. To date, we have engaged with close to 100 young adults from Oahu to Vermont for meaningful sharing of authentic information, perspectives, and values. 

Our programs seek to inform and inspire people to learn about America’s history, exploring the similarities and differences to contemporary times. We invite you to read below for more information, and we encourage you to consider a gift today to help us expand our work honoring the contributions of our Nisei veterans to our democracy.

Sharing the Nisei Legacy Nationwide

2026 Leadership Retreat & Idaho Torchbearers

National Torchbearer Program leaders in front of of the Go For Broke Monument, Jan 2026

On January 16–18, 2026, we held the first National Torchbearer Program in the heart of Little Tokyo. We were joined by 17 Torchbearer leaders spanning the country from coast to coast: National Chairs Kendra Motoyasu (Los Angeles), Kendall Kunitake (Denver), and Mylissa Magallenes (Los Angeles); Regional Chairs Yu Noguchi (Oahu), Jonah Swenson (Chicago), Mia Kojima (Vermont), and Smmo Ozawa (Denver); Torchbearer Akemi Tsutsui-Kunitake (Denver); and partner representatives from the Sakura Foundation, Japanese American Service Committee, UCLA, University of Colorado Boulder, and Middlebury College.

The retreat provided a much-needed, in-person opportunity for the Torchbearers to take a deep-dive review of the first three years of the program, including the experiences of the Torchbearers and partner organizations within their own communities. In addition, the detailed discussions explored how to deepen the impact with the participants and how to continue to expand and enhance the program on a regional and national level. We would like to thank our LA Torchbearers for their planning and our regional partners for their continued participation. 

Torchbearers' lunch at Tenkaippin Ramen in Little Tokyo 

Building on the planning from the retreat, the 2026 National Torchbearer Spring National Convening will be held in Little Tokyo from April 16 to 19. The Convening officially kicks off the program’s year and welcomes a new group of young adults from our regional partners for their inaugural Torchbearer year. This year’s gathering promises to be another impactful event that connects the Nisei soldiers’ legacy with current social issues and works to strengthen communities through dialogue and civic engagement. 

We are also excited to announce that as a result of the successful 11-month run of our traveling exhibit, “Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American WWII Experience,”at the Idaho State Museum, we have two new regional partners—the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and the Boise Valley JACL—who will be bringing young adults from Boise to the Spring Convening. It will be enriching to have the distinct perspectives and experiences of the young Idahoans, as well as Idaho’s multi-faceted WWII history. Stay tuned for more detailed updates. 

We give special thanks to K/T Foundation for their generous support of the 2026 National Torchbearer Program. Email development@goforbroke.org to learn more about how to support this dynamic next-gen program.

On the Road in Boise

Connecting With Our Idahoan Partners and Supporters

Breakfast with Boise Valley JACL President Robert Hirai, Wassmuth Center for Human Rights Executive Director Christina Bruce-Bennion, and Wassmuth Director of Programs Jessica Westhoff

Go For Broke National Education Center’s staff received a warm welcome by community members, educators, students, and partner organizations during a late January 2026 Boise visit. These deepening connections grew directly from the success of our "Courage and Compassion" traveling exhibit's 11-month run at the Idaho State Museum. GFBNEC President and CEO Mitch Maki kicked off the visit at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights as part of their “Speakers at the Center” series. He also gave the keynote address for the Wassmuth Center’s third annual conference, “Cultivating Compassionate Communities,” in which over 300 guests attended an impressive array of sessions under the conference’s “Everybody Is Welcome Here” theme. 

The visit also included an informative meeting with the Idaho Humanities Council’s lead staff about ways GFBNEC can partner with the Council to bring the Japanese American WWII story beyond the Boise region. The staff reconnected with two teachers from Centennial High School who attended last summer’s Idaho State Museum’s educator workshop that GFBNEC participated in. For this visit, the teachers organized two presentations and discussions; one was with nearly 100 students and the other was with an advanced history class of about 30 students. Dr. Maki also met with history students from Boise State University, including a small group discussion with 14 students and a WWII history class of 30 students. A special highlight was a co-hosted “Restoring America’s Promise” presentation with the Boise Valley JACL and over 50 of their members and guests. Dr. Maki had a lively, interactive discussion with the audience, many of whom were former incarcerees of Minidoka and other camps and also descendants of Nisei WWII veterans. 

Dr. Mitch Maki speaks around Boise

Dr. Maki introduces educator Sarah Inama

We are excited to continue to enhance our Idahoan partnerships to share this history and our mission across the state. Through our supporters and partners, we can ensure that the legacy of these veterans continues to inspire future generations.

“Courage and Compassion” Traveling Exhibit

Exploring the Florida WWII Experience

Following its 11-month run at the Idaho State Museum, “Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience" will be on display at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, from May 7 through August 31, 2026. 

The Morikami Museum will be the 14th venue to host the traveling exhibition, which highlights the Japanese American WWII experience, including the local stories of those who helped Japanese Americans during their time of crisis. We are excited to bring this important American story to Florida and to highlight the local stories and history, including Camp Blanding, a north-central major WWII infantry training center, where Nisei soldiers were trained before their deployment to Europe. More details to come in a future issue.

Memorial Service for Yosh Nakamura

Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m., Whittier High School

Photo by Shane Sato

Born in Rosemead, California on June 30, 1925, Yoshio “Yosh” Nakamura enlisted in the military in 1944 out of Gila River concentration camp. He served as a staff sergeant in the 442nd’s L and M Companies and was an ammunition carrier on a mortar team. He participated in the famous scaling of Monte Folgorito, in complete darkness, to launch a surprise attack on the Nazis that helped break the Gothic Line.⁣ He earned a Bronze Star, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and France’s Legion of Honor. 

After the war, Yosh continued his service to others as an art teacher and founding director of the art department at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, retiring from the college as vice president of community services and institutional development. Whittier High School dedicated its art building in honor of his notable service as an educator. A talented artist, Yosh showcased over 70 pieces of his artwork at the Whittier Art Gallery a couple years ago and celebrated his 100th this past June with his beloved community.  

Yosh has been an active advocate and voice of the Nisei WWII soldiers through his dedicated participation at GFBNEC and community events. We are grateful to Yosh for everything he gave and will deeply miss him.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier High School in Whittier, California, at 2 p.m. The family has established the “Yoshio C. Nakamura Fund” at Go For Broke National Education Center. Gifts can be made at goforbroke.org/support/donate (please indicate if you wish to direct your gift to this fund).  

Save the Date: October 3, 2026

25th Annual Evening of Aloha Gala

Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites

404 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071

4 p.m. Registration & Silent Auction

6 p.m. Dinner & Program

Dinner menu created by Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Roy's Restaurants Worldwide founder/owner and GFBNEC board member, and Chef Andreas Nieto and the Bonaventure Culinary Team.

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, October 3, 2026, we will present the 25th hallmark annual celebration honoring the legacy of the Nisei soldiers. Details to follow. For sponsorship or other questions, email development@goforbroke.org.

Go For Broke Store

Exclusive Merchandise

Check out our store items from exclusive tote bags and apparel to Hello Kitty and teddy bear plushies. All sales provide direct support for our vital educational programming and outreach to preserve and share the Go For Broke spirit and legacy of the Nisei soldiers as an important American story.

Together We Can Make a Difference

Donate Today To Help Us Honor Their Legacy

Now more than ever, our work is vital to ensure that the story of the Nisei soldiers of WWII is not forgotten. Please consider making a gift today so that we can continue to share this important story with multicultural and multigenerational audiences. 



Visit goforbroke.org/support to learn how you can help keep their legacy alive for future generations!