Commitment

My new film this year is on the Japanese American National Memorial Court.  It is dedicated to all the JAs whose lives were lost while serving their country.  It is turning out to be eye opening to say the least.  It started with last year's film on the Buddhahead Breakfast Club.  A group of older Sanseis that meet once a month.  Their common bond was their lives growing up as products of the internment camps and the Nisei relocation.  The common theme was they were all deeply affected by the Vietnam war.  Whether they fought, served in other areas or had college deferments, it was an impact on their lives.

This is a memorial separate from the Go For Broke Monument near the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.  This is an isolated memorial next to the JACC.  In my research, I am learning of both the Korean War Vets and Vietnam Vets and their dedication to this small courtyard.  I am trying to document what it means to them, the significance of the memorial for the JA community.

My problem is not getting the interviews, but understanding the purpose.  It can't be just another commentary on war, sacrifice.  It needs to communicate the purpose for future generations.
Is it just for those families who lost loved ones, or for those who remember lost friends.  Why does the memorial need to exist when there are many other.

In interviewing these men of both wars, I can't help but admire and respect their choices and life and how it made my life that much easier.  It did not end with the 442nd.  I come across names that are familiar, men I knew but not of the service.  Some of them friends of my dad.

Most of my films were results of this blog, the narratives were products of these ramblings.  I haven't had a entry in months, but I realize that I need to continue writing to formulate the story line.  This one scares me the most, as I feel that I need to do their story justice in about 7 minutes.  Will it be just another recounting of men dying, or will it actually convey its overall purpose for future generations.

Isn't That Amazing!!

To quote Huell Howser of Public Television.  Gayle now has a watch that monitors her heart and can call 911 if she falls and can't get up.  She now talks to Alexa to turn on the Korean Soap Operas and the light next to it.  Of course she doesn't quite understand that Alexa hates to be called Siri.

Right now the youngest is in Japan.  Yesterday he was FaceTiming from the Pokemon store with Jordan in Seattle, Us in Covina with #2 grandson and grand daughter and Jeff and #1 in Dallas.  All on the same screen on our iPhone.   Holy Jetsons.

And to top if off, the day my tech support leaves for Japan, my desktop goes down.  Amazing, scary, frustrating and indispensable.