Tom Graves author of Twice Heroes: American's Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea

Date: Aug. 3, 2013

Time: 1 p.m.

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At first denigrated and mistrusted, America's Nisei veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, earned the praise of a nation, and ultimately, a Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian honor.

Author and photographer Tom Graves shares the lives of Japanese American veterans before, during, and after WWII. Graves spent a decade collecting the veterans' stories. During this period, he spent thousands of hours interviewing scores of veterans around the country and then translated the results into individual stories of the human spirit. InTwice Heroes, each black-and-white portrait (there are 98 in the oversize book) introduces us to a veteran. The corresponding interview reveals a story of growing up in a racist America, fighting for the same country against foreign enemies as young men at war, and looking back as old men with the wisdom of their years.

What readers are saying about Twice Heroes: America's Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea:
 

"This book adds an important chapter to the history of the World War II era in which some proud Americans suffered discrimination and internment simply because of their Japanese ancestry.  ...The interviews Tom Graves has compiled go a long way to help us understand how wartime hysteria can make governments make poor decisions."   - Lt. Gen. Lawrence Snowden, USMC retired  

 
"Tom Graves' work adds a rich dimension to an extraordinary story -- that of the Nisei veteran in WWII and Korea. Through his portraits and their words, he provides memorable insights into the Nisei record and legacy of loyalty and courage. A worthy tribute to these remarkable men."
- Gen. David A. Bramlett,  U.S. Army retired  

"The physical beauty of the photos and your gentle but powerful narratives touched me deeply. Knowing so many of the guys and knowing that some like Mr. Asai have passed away made the experience difficult. But becoming emotional is evidence that you did your job well. Thank you so much for documenting their stories, their American stories, into this incredible and beautiful book."  - Ellen Sawamura, National Japanese American Historical Society

 
"Tom Graves' interviews of the Nisei reveal their patriotism, honor, and pride as a people. Vividly honest and deeply moving."  - VFW Commander-in-Chief Rich DeNoyer, 2011-12

"Wow, to say it's a great book is not doing it justice. It truly is a keepsake for all generations."
- Susan Uyemura, CEO, president, and oral historian, Japanese American Living Legacy 

Tom Graves is a member of the JACL, the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, and the USS San Francisco CA-38 Memorial Foundation, as well as being on the board of directors of the 99th Infantry Battalion Educational Foundation. His book Twice Heroes is available at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (www.jamsj.org), and at www.TwiceHeroes.com.

Cost: Free with admission to the museum (non-members, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free).  

 
Contact PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or call (408) 294-3138 to reserve a spot.

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