February 2013
The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) invites you to participate in the 15th Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk. The Freedom Walk will take place Saturday, April 6, 2013.
The Walk begins and ends at the National Japanese American Memorial located at the corner of Louisiana & New Jersey Avenues, NW in Washington, D.C. Check-in starts at 9 AM and the Nen Daiko Japanese Taiko Drummers will perform at 9:30 AM. The Freedom Walk is a wonderful opportunity to visit the Memorial, take part in an activity that commemorates “Our Story,” and remind us of our continuing responsibility to raise awareness for “Your Rights.”
Our theme this year is “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Justice” marking the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The keynote speaker will be Ms. Jodie Z. Bernstein, who chaired the Commission on the Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. It was the nationwide Commission hearings that laid the groundwork for Congress to pass the bill.
As part of our program the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, former Secretary of the Commerce Department and the US Department of Transportation, will speak about his role and the role of other Members of Congress to secure passage of the bill. Also, joining us will be the new Japanese Ambassador, the Honorable Kenichiro Sasae.
The Freedom Walk is possible in part by sponsors of this year’s event: the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, the Japanese American Veterans Association, the DC Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and Southwest Airlines. The NJAMF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Admission is free to all. Donations to defray the costs associated with the Freedom Walk are greatly appreciated. Your support last year made a tremendous impact on the success of the Walk. To make a donation this year, please complete the attached donation form. We greatly appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you on April 6 for this year’s Freedom Walk.
Daniel P. Matthews
Chair, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation
15th Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk Committee