The Purple Heart (49 page)

The somber silence was then
interrupted as four magnificent silver jets streaked overhead in the missing
man formation. They soared majestically, crossing over the Rose Garden as
everyone looked up in awe. The lead jet then arced upward and disappeared as
the other jets raced away.

Minami looked into the
senator’s face as her eyes filled with joyful and proud tears. She was almost
embarrassed by her emotions but managed a smile as she shook Senator Matsuda’s
hand. “He’s home now,” he said gently.

Minami wiped a few tears
away and smiled. “Yes, he is.”

* * *

After the moving ceremony,
Aiko found herself standing in front of the white tombstone marker at Arlington
National Cemetery. It was brand new. The fresh engraving read:

Hiroshi Satoh

Purple Heart

Sergeant

U.S. Army

442
^nd

World War II

May 28, 1918

Oct. 30, 1944

Aiko held her arms across
herself and admired her grandfather’s name. The cemetery was a peaceful place.
The wind gently glided along the grass, sweeping each blade back and forth. It
was a place to honor the many soldiers who had given their lives. Here, their
memories would live quietly on in peace.

A person never truly died
if those whom he had touched in one way or another remember him. She felt to
herself that finally he was at peace and that he was finally home. Then Aiko
said something she had never said before: “I love you, Grandpa.”

She continued admiring the
tombstone when a shadow crept up behind her. A familiar voice called out to
her. “Hey gorgeous.”

She smiled as she spun
around to see Jonathan. He was tall and lean, and looked so handsome in his
military dress whites. He was smiling as he looked down at her with his deep
brown eyes. She quickly threw her arms behind his neck and leaned up at him as
he placed a longing kiss on her soft lips. Aiko and Jonathan held each other as
they kissed when Aiko embarrassingly broke away and leaned her head against his
chest. She laughed and said, “I’ve missed you.”

Jonathan then hugged her
once more and gently let her slip out of his arms. He reached out tenderly for
her fingertips and held them in front of him.

“I thought you said you
couldn’t make it,” said Aiko as she looked up into his eyes.

Jonathan smiled and
replied, “Well, my grandfather had to pull some strings, but the C-141
transport plane was delayed in Germany for a little bit.”

“Mmm… I’m still glad you
made it,” said Aiko.

“I almost made it on time
too, but I got lost in the White House. I was passing the doors to the Rose
Garden when I saw my grandfather at the podium. Then I saw you next to your
grandmother. I smiled at you, but I wasn’t sure if you saw me.”

“I guess I didn’t see you
behind your grandfather. His speech was wonderful. We’re all so proud of my
grandfather.”

“Is that him?” asked
Jonathan as he looked at the white tombstone.

“Uh-huh,” replied Aiko.

Colonel Jonathan Matsuda of
the U.S. Marines then stepped aside and stood at attention in front of the
grave marker. He paused momentarily and in a simple gesture of reverence,
saluted Sergeant Hiroshi Satoh with the respect that any soldier would give to
another. He held his salute and then brought his hand back down and said, “It’s
an honor Sir.”

The wind gently swirled around
Aiko and Jonathan and then disappeared. It was quiet again as Jonathan turned
back to Aiko and extended his arm to her. She smiled and was so moved by his
simple act that she found herself blushing. She took his arm and together they
gently walked away.

She looked up at him and
with a grin said, “You know, I could never resist a man in uniform.”

The End

The Purple Heart is a piece
of historical fiction and that being the case, this story seeks to raise
awareness of the Japanese American experience during World War II as they were
imprisoned and bring to light the courage and heroism of the Japanese American
soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion.

As a piece of historical
fiction, this story does try to represent the conditions endured by the
Japanese American experience and where necessary, the story was adapted to
achieve the goal of being a story about love and courage.

Despite having their
constitutional rights taken away without due process and their families and
loved ones imprisoned, when this country called on the Japanese American men to
fight in World War II, about 4,500 young and courageous Japanese American men
volunteered to perform their patriotic duty to this country. During their
service, the 442
^nd
earned 9,486 Purple Hearts alone and was the most
decorated army regiment of its size. Let this be a lesson that patriotism is in
the hearts of many men and women of different faces and this is what makes
America great.

Through the story’s
characters, a reader should be able to glean into the mindset of the Japanese
Americans during a time of great suspicion toward the Japanese Americans, which
can still affect any Asian American today living in America. But it also tries
to open up the discussion of tolerance through dialogue between the Japanese
and White characters.

But as I write this, I am
disappointed in the news on the verdict that was handed down on the case of
Private Danny Chen of New York, who joined the army at the tender age of 19
with the only intention to serve his patriotic duty. However, it is alleged
that this young Asian American soldier was subjected to anti-Asian harassment
that included, bullying, physical abuse, hazing and racial slurs. After six
weeks of enduring this harassment, he took his own life and left a note
scrawled on his arm, “Tell my parents I’m sorry.” Though the sergeant that was
accused was found guilty on the lesser charges and not guilty on the more
serious charge of negligent homicide, it brings to the forefront, is there
still racial discrimination toward Asian Americans in the U.S Armed Forces?

It should be noted that I
have the utmost respect for the U.S. Armed Forces, and that one case should not
malign the entire military institution. However, if there are a few individuals
who are guilty of anti-Asian harassment toward Asian American service men and
women, they should be subjected to the fullest extent of the law and be
dishonorably discharged. Our armed forces deserve better and so does our country.

This story also seeks to
define what patriotism means, especially for an Asian American so that we can
be a better country built on tolerance and understanding.

In the end, I hope you
enjoyed this story of love and courage.

Thank you for reading.

Vincent Yee

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word on this amazing love story by doing the following:

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fun ways on how you can promote this important and missing chapter in American
history.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR

Vincent
Yee was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Having worked in the corporate world for
over a decade in various managerial roles, he rekindled his passion for Asian
American issues and a dormant penchant for creative writing to begin a new chapter
in his life by writing Asian American fiction, starting with his first book,
The Purple Heart. Vincent Yee was a former National President for the National
Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). He’s also been known to
create artistic culinary dishes for friends. He now lives in Cambridge,
Massachusetts.