Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Some great Americans

Friday, June 29, 2001 | 10:15 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

THE DISPLAY at the Sunrise Library, which shows the patriotism and loyalty of Japanese-Americans during World War II, was well done. People in attendance let us know that several heroes of the famed 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team live here in Southern Nevada.

What is especially significant about these men is the important roles they have played in making ours a better society after returning home. I asked Connie Nomura to describe these accomplishments and she used her father as a fine example. She described it as follows:

"Leaving family -- friends -- fiancees in internment camps to fight courageously in France and Italy where 812 Japanese-Americans paid the ultimate price and thousands more were wounded, only to return to find as many hardships. There were no parades to honor these veterans, no yellow ribbons waving in the breeze -- 'just' the loved ones who had waited patiently behind barbed wire for their return. Together, they were ready to start from scratch and make a life in a country that vacillated from the anger of Pearl Harbor to the grateful survivors and families of the Lost Texan battalion, Dachau, Casino and the great battle at Normandy.

"These returning vets and the civilians leaving internment camps, quietly found jobs and raised families, never faulting anyone for the chasm in their lives. There were no loud accusations nor public hearings, no overturned cars or midnight ransacking -- just proud young Americans building a new life.

"As for Frank Nomura, Staff Sergeant, company L, 442 -- resident of Sun City, Summerlin. He sees his role as 'just doing his part.' Married for 55 years to his childhood sweetheart, Frances, who spent three years waiting at Minidoka, an Idaho camp. Together they raised three children, have eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He served his community well, as a Scoutmaster; volunteer fireman and fire chief, Jaycee and Shriner. His legacy, not a chest full of medals -- rather a heart full of memories, a loving family and a score of fox hole buddies who have shared in this journey. Together they have earned the respect due them. We honor them all -- Steve Noguchi (442-Company H) and brother Hank (442), Fred Kiyohara (Korea). Mike Agena (Occupational Forces, Japan) Ko Aihara, Shig Murata, Katz Hazama and other Las Vegas veterans, for their contri bution."

They don't make 'em like they did when I was a kid. Last week seven of a kind gathered at the home of Betty Foley for three days and had a ball. These same ladies first got together 56 years ago when rooming together in the University of Nevada's Manzanita Hall. This time they all stayed at Joe and Betty's house and not down at a Strip hotel.

The schoolgirls arrived on campus from Caliente, Winnemucca and Fallon. This summer Maxine Louise Jones Alger came in from Salt Lake City; Alice Rose Etchart Getto, Beverly Jean Minor Larsen, and Joyce Longwill Mentaberry arrived from Reno; Dolores Mentaberry Jones from Winnemucca; and Odette Darrigrand Standish came to Las Vegas from Denver.

Hostess Betty Jean Bradshaw Foley went from Caliente to attend college in Reno.

The celebrating seven were still having a ball when gathering this new century in Las Vegas.

Beating up on the FBI has become a pastime for several comedians and columnists. Outgoing agency head Louis Freeh didn't help the situation much in recent years by playing political games recommending the use of special prosecutors and publicly opposing Attorney General Janet Reno.

What critics shouldn't forget is the long years of faithful and patriotic service rendered by thousands of special agents who have put their lives on the line in war and peace. The men and women working for the FBI in Nevada and over the world today are the same high caliber as were those who have served in the past.

People make mistakes and the FBI is made up of people who are Americans like you and me. We should have it no other way in the world's greatest democracy.