Welcome to the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation's website. In the new millennium, a memorial of deep moral and historic significance has risen in our Nation's Capital. Dedicated on November 9, 2000, this Memorial honors the loyalty and courage of Japanese Americans during World War II and commemorates the heroism and sacrifice of Japanese Americans who fought and died for their country.

In addition, the Memorial tells the story of 120,000 brave men, women, and children who, despite the abridgement of their civil rights and even relocation to desolate camps, maintained their loyalty and supported their nation on the home front. It is an important story for all Americans.

The purpose of this Memorial is two-fold: To preserve for posterity the story of a brave and loyal people, and to tell this Nation that what happened during World War II to the Japanese Americans must never again happen to any other people because of their race, creed, or national origin.

The Memorial also honors the Nation itself for its admission of error committed in the hysteria of war, its forthright apology through the Civil Liberties Act enacted by Congress in 1988, and the recent awarding of the Medal of Honor to 22 Asian Americans, 20 of them Japanese Americans. By these actions, Americans acknowledge the injustice of withholding the very liberty this nation's sons and daughters fought to protect.

This rededication to fairness is a new commitment to America's democratic principles and a demonstration of faith to freedom loving people everywhere.

 Throughout our presentation, we'll be mindful of the purpose of the Memorial and our mission. You'll have an opportunity to learn more about how the Memorial was conceived, the people whose dedication and effort brought it into being, the design and construction, and some of the many stories of those Japanese American patriots to whom it is dedicated. In addition, you'll be offered the important opportunity to participate in ongoing educational efforts of the Foundation.