6:12am
by Melanie Camp
The Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument (VJAMM) Committee will hold a dedication ceremony for the VJAMM on Thursday, April 27. The ceremony will take place from 10:00 am on the Northwest Corner of Venice and Lincoln Blvds.
The location marks the spot where hundreds of Japanese Americans gathered in Venice. People lined up along Venice Boulevard waiting for the buses that would take them directly to what would become the War Relocation Authority internment camp called Manzanar, deep in Inyo County off Highway 395. At the time, they did not know their destination. Many spent more than three years during World War II imprisoned, feared spies.
California State Assembly member, Warren Furutani, will preside over the ceremony. After the dedication Hama Sushi, at 213 Windward Avenue in Venice will host VJAMM fundraiser lunch from noon until 2:00 pm.
Esther Chaing of Hama Sushi will donate 100% of bento lunch profits and 10% of all dinner sales on the day to the VJAMM Committee. “We are still raising money for the installation and ongoing maintenance of the VJAMM,” Phyllis Hayashibara told Yo! Venice. To pre-order your bento box, visit venicejamm.org.
