“He died one day before my 14th birthday.”
These words were spoken by Clarence Moriwaki at the Vietnam Wall in Olympia on Veterans Day, 2024. It was a day of pomp and ceremony at the Capitol Campus, honoring veterans with us and also those who have passed. He first attended the Capitol Rotunda program and then visited the Vietnam Wall.
Clarence had traveled to the capital from Bainbridge Island, where he serves on the city council.
Clarence worked for a decade in Olympia, 1985-92 for the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus and 1992-95 for the Office of the Governor. He is also a broadcaster and an outstanding volunteer (20+ years) in his community. Two examples include his leadership as past president of two organizations, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. He also received a very special award, “It was a huge honor for me to be named the 2017 Citizen of the Year by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. The highlight was being the Grand Marshal of the 4th of July parade.”
But on Veterans Day, he was thinking of his uncle. That day, he placed a US flag by his uncle’s name on the wall, Sgt. Kazuto Moriwaki (1937-1968), listed among the others. “I come each year,” he stated, simply.
At the wall, on his uncle’s behalf, he accepted a pin at the annual Welcome Home and Reading of the Names held by the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The pin is the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Eagle. DAR Regent Jeni Swenson attached it to his lapel in a ceremony with a color guard honoring both the Vietnam Vets attending and those listed on the wall who gave their lives.
Sgt. Moriwaki was one of the Grant County soldiers from Washington State who died in Vietnam. He was a tactical communication chief serving with C Battery, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division. On November 7, 1968, Sgt. Moriwaki died from injuries following a fall from a military vehicle near Saigon.
Visit the wall and think of those whose lives were cut short. Also, visit (online) the Wall of Faces. A profile page is dedicated to Sgt. Moriwaki. Below are excerpts from those entries, some edited for brevity:
In echo of the above, Sgt. Moriwaki, thank you for your service.
Shirley Stirling, of Lacey, writes about good things people in Thurston County are doing. If you'd like to nominate someone to be profiled, contact her at shirley@theJOLTnews.com or comment below.
1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
What a delightful article about a man who has contributed so much to his neighborhood and our country! I was intrigued and found he was our state’s youngest Eagle Scout, at age 12! In 1969 he was the scribe for the North Central Washington Troop at the National Jamboree. I think a quotation is in order, if I may. “I loved everything about Scouting,” he recalls. “Earning badges was based on merit with clear rules so it didn’t matter how tall you were or the color of your skin. If you did the requirements to earn an archery or government badge, the reward was earned on an equal playing field.” He credits Scouting with turning him into a conservationist and student of government for his lifelong interest in policy and democracy.
Tuesday, November 26 Report this