“I am so grateful to Kimiko Marr and to Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages for all of the programs and activities they provide including virtual Tadaima programming, Yonsei Meet Up meetings and, of course, the in-person pilgrimage to the two incarceration sites in Arkansas in May of 2023. The educational sessions, films and genealogy consultations provided during the 2021 Tadaima sparked my interest in taking a deep dive into my family history. Intrigued by the possibility of sharing stories with others whose families had similar experiences, I began attending JAMP’s Yonsei Meet Ups. It has been both heartwarming and inspiring to be able to connect with other fourth-generation descendants who have similar experiences and who have found creative ways of honoring their families and their wartime experiences. I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2023 Jerome and Rohwer Pilgrimage in Arkansas. Not only was it powerful to stand on the land where my great grandparents, grandparents and parents were held, but the instant connections and discoveries made amongst the other 200 pilgrims was transformative and healing. Even though I'd never been to Arkansas before, the pilgrimage felt like a family reunion.”

-Julie Kanazawa