2023 AAPI Salute To Service
Saturday, May 13th, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Arlington National Cemetery
Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
The event is free and open to the public.
Join NAAAPDC, TAP DC, NOVAL DC, JACL, JACL DC, JAVA and SAFA at the 2023 AAPI Salute to Service Event to honor the 80th anniversary of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, on Saturday, May 13th, from 10:30-12:30 pm at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Composed primarily of Japanese Americans who volunteered to serve the US at a time when President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 forced Japanese Americans into internment camps as enemy aliens in 1942, the 442nd was not only the most highly decorated military unit for its size and length of service in all of US history, but also upheld the US Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, selfless service, and courage amid bigotry, racism, and prejudice against Japanese Americans during WWII. The 14,000 Japanese American soldiers who served in the 442d were awarded 18,143 awards, including seven Presidential Unit Citations. Despite their heroism in battle, it took 20 years for the 442nd’s accomplishments to be fully acknowledged and 31 years for Executive Order 9066 to be rescinded.
When: May 13th from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm ET
Where: We will meet at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center (1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia 22211) at 10:30 am. It is metro-accessible with an on-site parking garage. Please bring a photo ID or passport and allow ample time for security. At 11 am, we will walk to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Visitor Center.
Attire: “Sunday Best” for civilians (a dark suit and tie for men, and blouses are recommended for women). Military personnel should be in uniform.
Special Tram Service: Arlington National Cemetery offers a tram service from the Visitors Center for service members and veterans in uniform, with special discounts for family members. Visitors with valid disability placards or proof of disability documentation can ride the service at no cost with one companion. Non-military members can ride the service at an extra cost ($20). For more information about tram reservations, please visit ArlingtonTours.com. Trams will depart at 11:00 am. After the ceremony, the service will return to the Visitors Center. If you elect to take the shuttle, arrive early to guarantee a seat.
