Stories about Kristen Hiyashi, her Great Uncle Henry Kondo and his family who were incarcerated at Gila River.
As the story continues to ripple outward, a chance meeting between two researchers uncovers a stunning connection—two fallen heroes, laid to rest side by side, their families now brought together by fate.
While in France, Kristen discovers that the memory of the 100th/442nd Nisei soldiers has been kept alive by the diligent and thankful townspeople of Bruyeres, France. From immaculately restored vehicles to historically accurate uniforms, these re-enactors express their gratitude in a creative an festive way.
Speaking directly from the collection room in the Japanese American National Museum, Kristen shares letters between her Great Uncle Henry Kondo and his parents who had been relocated to Gila River. We learn about life and concerns of this Nisei solder, as he prepared for war at camp Shelby, and later as he brought
Eighty years earlier, Kristen's Great Uncle, Henry Kondo, walked the same route, but the conditions then were bitter and the enemy was everywhere. We follow her on her travels as she meets local historian Gerome Villain and crosses paths with fellow Nisei descendant Kevin Kuroda with whom she shares a surprising connection, bound by
Kristen Hiyashi embarked on a personal journey that lead to a PHD and a career at the Japanese American National Museum. As a curator, she collects and preserves the relics, stories and histories of Japanese-Americans. Her own family history leaves broad strokes in her work and as we find in this episode, that history
