Annual Memorial Day Services Resume at Montrose Cemetery

After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 250 people gathered at Montrose Cemetery on Chicago’s North Side on May 30 for the first in-person Japanese-American Memorial Day Service.

The annual service has been offered by the Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago (“JMASC”) since 1938. It was cancelled in 2020 because of concerns about COVID-19.

In 2021, a virtual ceremony was streamed online. It attracted more than 600 viewings, far more than the average in-person attendance.

Taking this high degree of interest into account, JMASC President Gary Shimomura said his organization has decided to post a video of this year’s service for public viewing on its website (visit: jmaschicago.org).

In the early 1900s, the majority of established cemeteries in Chicago would not allow burials of Japanese immigrants. JMASC was formed in 1935 to help 300 Japanese residents in Chicago to secure dignified burials. Since then, the organization has purchased cemetery plots at Montrose Cemetery - the only cemetery in the area that accepted Japanese Americans - and resold them to Japanese Americans and their families at affordable prices.

A mausoleum was built in 1937 to keep remains of those who died without family or relatives. Today, the Japanese section of the cemetery is the final resting place for more than 2,000 families and individuals.

The ceremony began with the posting of colors by Chicago Nisei Post #1183, followed by opening remarks by Shimomura and Consul General in Chicago Hiroshi Tajima.

In his remarks, Shimomura paid homage to those who served in the U.S. forces during past wars, specifically the Japanese American veterans during World War II. “Memorial Day is to commemorate the lives of military members who served to protect our country,” Shimomura began. “They include not only the infantry members who were engaged in combat, but also military members who provided training, supplies, and medical care to the troops, or served in the MIS intercepting enemy communications and interrogating captured enemy soldiers. They also include those who may not have been in combat but were trained and served on military bases.”

According to Shimomura, more than 14,000 people enlisted from the Japanese American community during WWII, while they and their families were incarcerated in concentration camps or their families’ lives were disrupted in Hawaii after the Pearl Harbor attack. Together, they formed the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Combat Regiment, the most decorated units during WWII. “The story needs retelling, so that future generations do not forget the tremendous sacrifices of these men and women,” Shimomura said.

Consul General Tajima followed with his remarks, stressing that the “importance of remembering the people who stood up to defend their country will never diminish.” Referring to the “unprecedented challenges” we face today such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Tajima called for the need to remember the loss of many lives and the “deep sorrows” of those who are left to morn.  Tajima believes that “understanding and embracing diversity is an effective deterrent against conflict.” Tajima said he hoped that the TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act), which was signed into law in Illinois last year, would contribute to a better understanding of Japanese Americans and “strengthen harmony among diverse communities” in the state and beyond.

Prayers were offered by religious leaders from various community temples and churches, including Scripture readings by Rev. Yuki Scroggins and Rev. Jieun Mori Siegel, Buddhist chanting by Rev. Ron Miyamura, Rev. Patty Nakai and Kayo Murakami of Rissho Koseikai Chicago, and convocation by Rev. Masahito Kimura of Tenrikyo Chicago Church.

Choral presentations included Christian Choir’s “River in Judea” and “Sweet by and By” led by Chelsea Dolinar-Hikawa, and Chicago Soyokaze Chorus’ “Nadame,” “Hana” and “Furusato.”

The ceremony closed with the presentation of flowers by representatives of local Japanese and Japanese American organizations as well as area temples and churches.

Presentation of Flowers

Christian Churches, Lisa Sloan

Buddhist Churches, Yoko Miler

Tenrikyo Churches, Michiko Fumioka

Konkokyo Churches, Masanori Takeuchi

Heiwa Terrace, Alice Murata

Chicago Nisei Post #1183 American Legion, Robert Hashimoto

Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, Jean Mishima

Japanese American Citizens League-Chicago Chapter, Tom Yatabe

Japanese American Community, Michael Taniura

Japan America Society of Chicago, Mitsukuni Baba

US-Japan Council, Anna Ninoyu

Japanese Culture Center, Stephen Toyoda

Japanese American Service Committee, Yasuko Metcalf

Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tetsuro Mitani

Chicago Japanese Club, Koh Fujimoto

Chicago Japanese American Council, Manabu Yoshiike

Consulate General of Japan in Chicago, Hiroshi Tajima

Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago, Neil Kanemoto