End of Vietnam War
Friday, April 30, 2021
The Vietnam War was both long and controversial. Lasting almost 20 years, over 2.7 million servicemen and women served in Vietnam and over 58,000 gave their lives. More than half of those who died were teenagers. The official end of the war was April 30, 1975 so on this April 30, we honor all those who gave their lives and all who served during that war.
For all those who served, thank you for your service and Welcome Home. For those who gave their lives and the families that grieve them, thank you for your sacrifice and we pledge that you will never be forgotten.
Video for presentation on Memorial Court Program
Welcome and opening words by Mistress of Ceremonies Claire Imada.
Presentation of wreath. Introduction of presenters:
Vietnam Veteran Leroy Kawai accompanied by Kaitlin Hara and Kelly Sera.
Introduction of Speaker, Scott Takahashi, by MC
Speech by Scott Takahashi.
Acknowledgment and thank you by MC.
Individual floral presentations to honor friends on the wall:
Introduction of presenters:
Vietnam Veteran David Miyoshi to honor Kenneth Bruce K Kozai, Lieutenant, USMC
Vietnam Era Veteran Chris Segawa to honor Leonard Sugimoto, Warrant Officer, US Army
Vietnam Veteran Sam Fujinami to honor Bruce Mori, PFC, US Army and Tommy Adachi, Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force
Korean War Veteran Robert M. Wada to honor Glenn Nishizawa, Specialist 4, US Army
Closing words by Mistress of Ceremonies Claire Imada
Playing of Taps
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Scott Takahashi Biography
Scott was born in Pasadena, CA, grew up in Los Angeles and Gardena. He graduated from Gardena High.
He served in the US Army, including a year in Vietnam as an artillery crew member assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Artillery, beginning in May 1969. Discharged with the rank of Sergeant E-5. His awards include the Bronze Star with “V” Device for heroism.
Upon his return from Army service, he worked as an X-Ray Tech in a cardiac catherization and interventional radiology lab for almost 40 years. He also had part time jobs as a mechanic on a top fuel dragster and as a deckhand on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska. He retired in 2011 and has been married for 37+ years