Memorial Day @ Idlewilde Cemetery

This Saturday, May 24, in honor of Memorial Day, friends and family members will be placing signs on the graves of Hood River Japanese Americans. The signs are by now very familiar to us: “We are Immigrants. Somos Inmigrantes.”

Pastor Vicky, along with Japanese-American family members, will place the signs on the graves of more than 15 Japanese Americans, all of whom were removed from Hood River and placed in internment camps during World War II.

“When we place the Somos Inmigrantes signs at the graves of these Japanese heroes on Saturday, we are again taking a stand, and closing a circle. We are reminding ourselves and others that the very fabric of Hood River is woven by immigrants, from Japan, Mexico, and many other countries. We would be much less of a community, or a people, without them.”

This ceremony is open to all, and Riversiders are encouraged to attend. The gathering is in the Northeast section of Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River.  Many members of the Japanese-American community will be present, including several members of the Yasui family, and others, who will share stories.