Building the Issei Memorial at Minidoka
 
The Friends of Minidoka are designing, planning and constructing the Issei Memorial at Minidoka. This memorial pays tribute to the 3,800 Issei (first generation of Japanese in the United States) who in 1942 were forcibly removed from their homes and possessions, leaving responsible and productive lives in their local communities. The Issei and their families became American prisoners of war in the Idaho desert for three or more years, yet they were determined to contribute and support a country that held them captive and denied them citizenship during a time of war. Their resilience set an example for the following generations of successful Japanese-Americans. This memorial will be a place to pay homage to the Issei legacy and be a source of courage and inspiration to all who love freedom, justice and liberty. It will be a place for future generations to stay personally connected while also encouraging renewal and recommitment.
 
MEMORIAL DESIGN
The memorial design plans include: walls listing the names of over 3,800 Issei, a central parasol shelter, parking for 30 cars and 2 buses, walkways with stone lanterns, and poetry markers with prose from Issei writers.