Gold Star Mothers

The women pictured here are “Gold Star Mothers,” an honorary designation given to women whose sons died in the war. Here, the Japanese Americans Citizens League celebrates their newfound citizenship at a dinner commemorating the ten-year anniversary of arrival of Japanese Americans at Seabrook. More than other internees, the Gold Star Mothers were subject to a particularly horrific and brutal form of irony. At the same time their loyalty was being questioned, their sons were sacrificing their lives as an obligation of their American citizenship.Gold Star Mothers receiving congratulations on achieving US citizenship in 1953 from Mike Masaoka, Washington, D.C. Representative JACL, and John Fuyuume, President Seabrook Chapter JACL, at the Testimonial Banquet held to honor the new citizens, Charles F. Seabrook, and to to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the arrival of Japanese Americans from the ten Relocation Camps to Seabrook, New Jersey. Pictured here from left to right: Riyo Mukai, mother of Hachiro Mukai killed in World War II. Misae Fujiki, mother of Charles Fujiki killed in World War II. Mume Minakata, mother of George Minakata killed in the Korean Conflict. Mike Masaoka, Washington DC Representative of National JACL. John Fuyuume, President of the Seabrook Chapter JACL