Paul Yoshio Tani

On Thursday evening, 19 Feb 09, we lost another member of the Greatest Generation. Paul Tani was a veteran of WW II and a replacement soldier for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit composed of mainly Japanese-Americans. Paul, along with Grant Ichikawa, was the first member of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) to meet me, and he ‘twisted my arm’ to join JAVA by talking about it over a bowl of Pho – that was an unfair tactic Paul! But, he and Grant, did enlighten me to the tasty cuisine of Pho noodles! Paul was also in the same Company with my uncle, Hiro Yaguchi. I will always treasure the reunion book he gave me with my uncle’s name in it. Paul was so generous with his time because he would drop almost anything to take the time to educate the next generation by serving as docent about the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism located in Washington, D.C. Thank you Paul for being one of many who help cement a better future for me, my children and for many generations to come. I was able to realize my American dream without the pain, suffering and indignity, you, and other ‘senior’ members of my family, endured during WWII and post-WWII. We’ll have Pho soon. Lest we forget.

Paul was always a trusting and sincere friend with nothing but good words for all. We send our sympathy, prayers and good wishes to Paul’s son and entire family.

I will miss Paul. He was a wonderful JAVA friend. I wasn’t a regular visitor to JAVA functions, but he always remembered me with with affection. We did briefly work together on a JAVA project, and he was a great mentor to me. I will always remember Paul.