Pierce County proclaims Feb. 19 a Day of Remembrance; WWII internment survivor urges ‘don’t let it happen again’

Pierce County Council on Feb. 10 adopted a proclamation designating Feb. 19, 2026, as a Day of Remembrance for Japanese American incarceration during World War II and heard testimony from survivors and descendants.

The proclamation, read into the record by county staff, notes that more than 2,000 people of Japanese ancestry lived in Pierce County by 1940 and that thousands from the Puget Sound region were detained at the Puyallup Assembly Center before transfer to Minidoka and other wartime relocation centers. It cites the 1983 federal commission finding that Executive Order 9066 was not justified by military necessity and references the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Tamiko Nomura, who introduced the observance and described family experience, said the day should be “not just a reflection looking backward, but looking forward for the sake of all of our children.” She urged the community to use remembrance as an opportunity to demand justice, saying, “Mass incarceration is not a thing of the past, and so I ask that this day of remembrance be an opportunity for our community to demand justice once again.”

Denise Marie Gucci, identifying herself as CEO of Wajimaya, described family losses during the war and the bittersweet return of her family’s business to the area. “It’s been so bittersweet because I’ve learned so much about the history,” she said, thanking the council for recognizing the local story.

The council also invited Hannah (a survivor who was nine when interned) to speak. Recounting childhood memories of internment, Hannah said she had tried to forget for many years but wanted future generations to know the history. “That’s all I ask is don’t let it happen again,” she told the council.

Council members who spoke praised the courage of those who testified and emphasized the civic importance of preserving the record. Council member Yambe, who brought forward the proclamation, cited the Puyallup Fairgrounds history and national court cases connected to wartime detention while urging vigilance about contemporary detention practices.

The council encouraged residents to attend the Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League’s day of remembrance event at the Puyallup Fairgrounds’ Expo Hall on Feb. 21, which the proclamation and speakers said will include survivor stories and a fireside chat.

The resolution was presented as a recognition and did not include any separate staff directions or formal policy changes.

The meeting moved on after the proclamation and public comments.