This year marks 81 years since the 100th Infantry Battalion was formed on June 12, 1942. Our annual Anniversary Banquet will be held on Saturday, July 29 at the Hale ‘Ikena conference center on Fort Shafter, just down the road from a baseball field that on any given day fills with the sound of cracking bats, laughing kids, and parents’ words of encouragement for their budding baseball players. In 2003, this field was renamed Joe Takata Field in honor of 100th soldier SGT Takata, who was the first in the 100th to be killed in action on September 29, 1943 in Italy. SGT Takata was a star outfielder on the Hawai‘i Baseball League before he was drafted, and organized baseball games with the 100th boys during training at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. The 100th Infantry Battalion is now headquartered only a short drive away from Takata Field and the Hale ‘Ikena.
When the soldiers of the 100th transitioned back to civilian life after the war, they understood that they needed a new mission to preserve the camaraderie and forge a different purpose and meaning after they completed their military service.
Today, almost 81 years after the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion in Oakland, California, Club 100 moves forward with its mission of continuing service through our Legacy2Action initiative. The ideas that our parents and grandparents started with all those years ago to keep their legacy going, now inspire young leaders who are identifying and solving issues that impact our communities in Hawai‘i and beyond. I can’t think of a better way to honor my grandfather and his buddies than that!
At this year’s banquet, we will have a few of these young leaders share with us their stories of how they are helping to shape and change Hawai‘i for a better future. After witnessing their presentations at the Legacy2Action event on April 30, I am excited that they will be able to share this with you!
We are also excited to share with you our new 100th IBV logo polos, which will be on sale at the banquet. Registered attendees are already able to purchase this polo at the anniversary banquet special price of $25 (regularly priced at $30) through our clubhouse office, but act fast since we have a limited amount!
100th Infantry Battalion Veterans new logo polo shirts ($30) are now available to registered banquet attendees for the special price of $25.
Doors to the banquet hall open at 10:00 a.m., followed by a program at 10:30 a.m. and lunch buffet. The cost is $50 per person (World War II 100th Infantry Battalion veterans and their wives and widows are complimentary). Children under the age of 3 years are free.
A registration form was included in the April 2023 issue of the Puka Puka Parade, and is also available for download below.
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Please mail your completed Anniversary Banquet form with guest information and check payable to 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans by June 30, 2023, to the Clubhouse Office at 520 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96826.
We look forward to seeing you on July 29 at the Hale ‘Ikena on historic Fort Shafter!
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