The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) has been thrilled to welcome a summer intern through ‘Iolani School's KA‘I program this year! This program, led by Allison Blankenship and Kirk Uejio, is ‘Iolani’s institutional partnership with Pālolo Valley. They work with students from underresourced backgrounds in a long term commitment to improve their life outcomes.
Our intern, Kylee, has shared her ideas on why people should learn about the 100th Infantry Battalion, and helped with projects such as scanning a booklet of oral history of the 100th veterans that were interviewed by second graders from 'Iolani School in 2008. She has also assisted with our 82nd Anniversary Banquet and our Legacy2Action project, where she’s helping to put together our playbook to store all our information and background of the 100th for future generations. Mahalo to Kylee for volunteering at the Clubhouse. We all appreciate you and the amount of support you have given us.
The following is a reflection from Kylee on her experience with us this summer. --- During my internship at the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Clubhouse, I learned about the history of the veterans and the clubhouse. One fact that I learned was how the veterans took $2.00 from their $30.00 paycheck to build the clubhouse. I thought it was really interesting how they all took part in building the clubhouse and it shows how much they care about each other. They grieved together, had memorable times together, and relaxed together in the clubhouse. I also learned about how the Japanese veterans were short, small guys (5 feet 4 inches, 125 lbs on average.) They fought hard for our country and with the 100th/442nd it became the most decorated in U.S. Military history.
The veterans loved Hawai'i, where they were born and they were shocked with the surprise attack by the homeland of their parents, Japan. Their parents told them to be loyal to America and when the 100th created their motto, they chose “Remember Pearl Harbor” as they fought to protect freedom for Hawai'i, America, and the world. It really shows no matter what you look like or where you came from, you can always do big things. At the clubhouse, they honored and supported the families of the soldiers killed in action. The veterans found comfort in talking to their fellow soldiers about the horrors of war. They never shared war experiences with their family. It was too hurtful. They also had a poker room, where they enjoyed each other’s company and sometimes they would “go for broke” and bet all of their money. They shared a room with bunk beds, and always had each other's back.
The first thing I helped with was brainstorming ideas on why people should learn about the 100th. I talked about Hawai'i pride and how students or people should learn about them because they started in Hawai'i and it's our home. Another idea was about the younger audience - this generation may want to serve our country rather than go to college. I talked about how college acceptance isn't based only on academics. They look for leadership and community service. The 100th overcame obstacles and hardship to prove their loyalty to America, they improved their financial condition from plantation workers to high paying jobs by getting educated with the GI Bill. The last idea was history, we should learn about the past to improve the future and don't repeat errors like discrimination, taking away civil rights, etc. For example, 9/11. Some people wanted to put all Arabs and Muslims under FBI watch which isn't right.
I helped with projects, the first one was scanning a booklet of oral history of the 100th veterans as they were interviewed by second graders from 'Iolani School in 2008. It was called “Honoring Our Veterans.” It included background information of the different veterans along with pictures with elementary school students from 'Iolani. While scanning it, I couldn’t help but read a few sentences from each individual paper. I enjoyed reading all the interesting things the veterans went through. Such as, what they thought about war and how they went through so many different obstacles.
I am helping with the Legacy2Action project and we’re currently trying to figure out how we could get younger people involved and interested in the 100th. We are trying to put together a “playbook” to basically store all the information and background of the 100th for future generations at the clubhouse.
I helped set up for their 82nd anniversary banquet, such as decorating tables, etc. and I also helped scan cards that people signed for the living 100th veterans so we could also have a copy of them.
Time is moving really quickly and it’s already my last week in the clubhouse. I learned so many new things and had so much fun. I’m really sad and I will definitely miss it here. I do hope I find time throughout my senior year to stop by and help with anything. Thank you so much for making my last summer of KA'I and my first internship experience so memorable and fun.
Love, Kylee
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