Veterans of the 442 infantry squad— LIVE with Dignity, Die With Honor — decorated Japanese Americans WW2

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At the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in 2010, after world debut of “442: Live with Dignity – Die with Honor” movie was shown; afterward, Dr. Richard Sword introduces and does brief Q&A with Producer/Director and 442 members. 442 / 100th battalion was the most decorated military group in US history.

Summary & Transcript Below…

   Opening Musical Segment: Expression of Love and Commitment
The transcript begins with a heartfelt musical passage expressing deep love and commitment, likely from a wedding or romantic context. The lyrics articulate intimate feelings of holding a loved one, symbolizing protection and devotion (“Holding you in my arms, Cradle you with my love”). The imagery of the loved one dressed in white and references to a wedding day set a tone of purity, celebration, and lifelong partnership. Promises of friendship, mutual support, and eternal love are made, with symbolic mentions of a wedding band representing unending bonds. The repeated phrase “I do” marks the solemn vow of marriage, framing the segment as a touching dedication to love and union.

• [02:15 → 03:30] Introduction to the Film Premiere and Event Overview
  This segment transitions from the musical opening to an event introduction. The host warmly welcomes attendees to the world premiere of the film 442, emphasizing the honor of having the film’s producer, director, and several cast members present. The presence of Dr. Rick Swartzman and other notable guests is highlighted, underscoring the event’s significance. A special video message from Senator Dan Inouye, a World War II veteran, is previewed, adding historical and emotional weight. The audience is informed about a planned 15-minute Q&A session post-screening, encouraging audience engagement and dialogue about the film and veterans’ experiences. Practical details about ballots for an audience choice award are shared, as well as additional programming at the festival, including family-friendly options, emphasizing community involvement and celebration on Father’s Day.
• [03:30 → 05:04] Acknowledgments and Festival Logistics
  Here, the organizer extends gratitude to the Rivers family for hosting the event and thanks students, filmmakers, and attendees for participating. The segment underscores the event’s community spirit and the collective effort in making the festival successful. The host then introduces Dr. Rick Sword, a clinical psychologist specialized in treating veterans, who will provide insights into the film and its significance. This sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the film’s themes related to veterans’ experiences and historical legacy.
• [05:04 → 07:35] Dr. Rick Sword’s Introduction and Film Context
  Dr. Sword introduces himself as a clinical psychologist with three decades of experience working with veterans, particularly those connected to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and related military intelligence units from World War II. He explains that 442: Live with Honor and Die with Dignity is a tribute to these soldiers who fought valiantly overseas while also confronting racial prejudice at home. The film honors their courage and dedication. Dr. Sword also acknowledges numerous supporters and sponsors who contributed to the event’s success, including travel funding and hospitality for the film’s stars. The segment ends with an invitation for the audience to enjoy the film and participate in the post-screening discussion.
• [07:35 → 10:01] Veteran Recognition and Community Tribute
  Following the film screening, Dr. Sword expresses how deeply moved he was by the documentary and how the lessons learned from the 442nd soldiers have influenced his clinical work with veterans and civilians alike. He and his wife are collaborating with Stanford’s Dr. Philip Zimbardo to develop “time therapy,” a new therapeutic approach inspired by the 442nd’s enduring spirit. Dr. Sword then leads a moment of honor and gratitude, inviting the 442nd, 100th Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veterans in the audience to stand and receive recognition. He highlights that the 442nd is the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history and refers to them as “American Samurais,” emphasizing both their military valor and cultural legacy. The segment closes with a call for all other veterans present to stand, acknowledging their service and sacrifice.
• [10:01 → 12:31] Introduction of Filmmakers and Q&A Format
  The host formally introduces the film’s creative team, including Director Junichi Suzuki, his wife Lumi, Assistant Director Monaco Steve, and key cast members Joe Ciccato and Lawson Sakai. The audience is informed about the Q&A session format, encouraging questions about the film, the veterans’ experiences, and the production process. This segment fosters a personal connection between the audience and the storytellers, setting a conversational tone for the discussion to follow.
• [12:31 → 16:28] Director Junichi Suzuki’s Motivation and Assistant Director Minako’s Reflections
  Director Suzuki explains that his motivation to create the film stems from his Japanese heritage and a desire to preserve and share traditional Japanese values embodied by the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) soldiers. He laments the loss of these cultural values in contemporary Japan and sees the 442nd veterans as exemplars of these virtues. Assistant Director Minako Monaco shares her perspective as a newcomer to America and this project, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the veterans. She articulates the importance of passing on the veterans’ legacy, emphasizing that the sacrifices made by those who did not return home should inspire future generations to uphold peace. Minako encourages the audience to advocate for wider film screenings to educate younger audiences and preserve this history.
• [16:28 → 17:52] Future Projects and Trilogy Context by Director Suzuki
  Director Suzuki reveals that 442 is part of a planned trilogy focusing on Japanese American experiences. The next project will spotlight the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), whose covert contributions remain largely unknown. The first film in the trilogy, Toyo’s Camera, documents the internment camp experience through secret photography. This contextualizes 442 within a broader effort to highlight overlooked chapters of Japanese American history and their profound impact on American culture. The trilogy aims to deepen public understanding and appreciation of these stories.
• [17:52 → 19:55] Veteran Joe Ciccato’s Emotional Response to the Film
  Joe Ciccato, a veteran featured in the film, shares his personal reaction to seeing the story brought to light decades later. He describes the experience as reliving the past repeatedly, revealing the enduring psychological impact of wartime memories. Joe recounts volunteering for service from a prison camp to demonstrate loyalty to America despite being imprisoned unjustly. He humbly rejects hero status, instead wearing his medals in honor of those who never returned, including enemy soldiers. His testimony emphasizes themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and reconciliation, showcasing the complex human emotions entwined with war service.
• [19:55 → 21:01] Veteran Lawson Sakai’s Perspective on Legacy
  Lawson Sakai reflects on his youthful motivations for volunteering and expresses gratitude that the film will educate those previously unaware of the 442nd’s achievements. He mourns the passing of many fellow veterans who will not witness the film’s impact but hopes it will preserve their memory and legacy for future generations. His remarks highlight the importance of storytelling in honoring and sustaining the veterans’ contributions.

[21:01 → 21:57] Closing Remarks and Audience Engagement
The host thanks the veterans and director Suzuki, praising the inspiring embodiment of American spirit and values seen in their stories. Attendees are reminded to complete their ballots to vote for 442 in the festival’s audience choice awards. The segment closes with warm wishes for a happy Father’s Day and gratitude for audience participation, reinforcing the communal and celebratory atmosphere of the event.

• [22:30 → 25:03] Closing Musical Segment: Reprise of Love and Commitment Theme
  The transcript concludes by returning to the opening musical theme, reiterating the expressions of love, devotion, and lifelong commitment. The imagery of “dressed in white,” the wedding band, and vows of eternal friendship and support are restated, bookending the event with a poignant and tender emotional tone that contrasts with and complements the historical and heroic themes of the film and veterans’ testimonies.

1. 1. 1. Summary Overview

The transcript details a special event at the Maui Film Festival featuring the world premiere of 442: Live with Honor and Die with Dignity, a documentary tribute to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a distinguished Japanese American unit during World War II. The event blends heartfelt personal reflections, historical recognition, and community celebration. It opens and closes with a musical homage to love and commitment, framing the veterans’ sacrifices within broader human values of loyalty and honor. Key highlights include Dr. Rick Sword’s psychological insights into veterans’ experiences, Director Junichi Suzuki’s cultural motivations and vision for a trilogy on Japanese American history, poignant testimonies from veterans Joe Ciccato and Lawson Sakai, and a call to preserve and pass on this legacy to future generations. The event fosters a deep sense of gratitude, remembrance, and education, connecting the past to the present with emotional resonance and cultural significance.

We are honored today to have the world premiere of 442. We’re also honored to have the producer, the director, some of the people in the movie, and Dr. Rick Schwartzman, Tom Cannon, Selene, who’s here,

03:12

all backgrounded, so it’s very exciting. We also have a special brief video sent by Senator Dan Inouye, so you’ll see that. That’s going to be very nice, as you know, he was a member of World War II. And we also have a Q&A after the show.

03:30

for about 15 minutes and have some folks come on up here. And please stay right here in the theater and you can ask any questions about the film, about their experience, etc. So please know that that is going to happen after the show. Now a few little details of the business that we need to take care of. Everybody received ballots when they came in. And this is for audience choice awards. And although there’s only one film, that’s fine. We’ll just do film number one and talk.

03:58

So if you take these out, and you can grade the film, one, two, five, five being the highest. So unless you don’t want to point them in or anything, just tear. Tear at the start of two, one, two, five. And remember also, this is the last day where there are many more films to happen today. We have more films here at the MAP. We have the Celestial Cinema. And kids under 12 are free. I mean, under the stars, movies, movies.

04:24

How can you go wrong on Father’s Day? So please keep that in mind. And everything, this is a great event, and I always want to thank the Rivers family for putting this on. All the students, all the people, all the filmmakers, thank you for being here.

04:41

Everyone says it’s quite an amazing event and we’re so happy to have it and I know you all are also. So now I’m going to have Dr. Rick Sword come out and he is extremely involved in this incredible production and I can talk to you and share some of his information with you. So welcome.

05:04

Well, thank you, Michelle, for that great introduction. And aloha. Thank you. My name is Dr. Rick Sword. And I’m a clinical psychologist here on Maui. And I’ve been specialized in treating veterans for about the last 30 years. And it’s been my greatest honor to work with the members of the 447

05:32

the 100th Battalion, and those who served for the military intelligence in World War II.

05:40

We’d like to thank everyone for their participation. The 442 Live with Honor and Die with Dignity was written and directed by Junichi Suzuki. It’s a tribute to the valiant soldiers who fought not only the Germans in Europe, but also racial prejudice here in our own country.

06:05

After the film, you’re invited to stay and we’ll be honoring those who served with the 447, the 100th Battalion, the Military Intelligence Service, and all of Maui’s distinguished veterans. We’ll also introduce to you the director, the assistant director, and a couple of our outstanding 442 stars.

06:28

But before we start the film, I’d like to thank Paul James Brown for all of the great reviews. Alec Van Harden of Maui Oil for providing the travel funding arrangements so generously. Matt Haley, the general manager of the Grand Wailea, who graciously hosted our 442 stars.

06:50

the Arizumi Brothers Construction Company, for donating the tickets for all the 442 and 100 Battalion and MIS people to enjoy.

07:08

I’d also like a special thanks to Carol Keshava and Kiyoki Koki, a couple of very special 442s, and a real special mahalo to Louie Lohan, Barry Rivers, the screening committee, and the entire staff for choosing this extraordinary film to be part of the Maui Film Festival. And finally, thanks to all of you for sharing your special Father’s Day with us. Enjoy the film,

07:35

and please stay afterwards for our short discussion. Aloha and enjoy the film. Well, I hope you enjoyed the film.

08:06

I was deeply moved to be included in this documentary. My work with the 442nd, I learned their special growth for broke spirits and attitudes and I adapted what I’ve learned from these incredibly brave men and applied it to my practice with other veterans as well as civilians.

08:28

My wife Rose and I are now working with Dr. Philip Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Stanford University, to develop a new theory we call time therapy. It’s based on the spirit of the 442 for use with all patients and civilians. You’ll be hearing more about time therapy in the not-too-distant future. But now I’d like to ask the members of the 442

08:58

the 100th Battalion, and the MIS to stand in our audience for a moment and have a moment of honor and gratitude from the community that you served and protected. So would all of you 442-100s and MIS please stand for a moment.

10:01

Thank you. These men are the most highly decorated unit in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. They are our American Samurais. They are the finest of the greatest generation. It is not just for who they are or what they accomplished, but also the legacy they leave for us. God bless you, gentlemen.

10:27

Now I’d like to ask all the other distinguished veterans in our audience to please stand. All veterans of the United States military, please stand.

10:57

Veterans, please know that we are grateful and we very much appreciate the service you did for our country to serve and protect us. A heartfelt thanks from all the people who you served and who you protected. Okay, I’d like to have to introduce to you the writer and director of our film, Director Junichi Suzuki.

11:33

did a terrific job on this film. Next to him is his wife, Lumi, and assistant director, Monaco Steve. I’m sure you all recognize Joe Ciccato and Lawson Sakai, some of our best guys.

12:08

And now I’d like to ask our crew a couple of questions. And at the end, if you have any other questions, you would have to just come up here and ask, and I’ll ask them. And also, after the film, we need to leave for the next one to come. We’ll be out there, and if you have any other questions for our stars and directors, you’re more than happy to ask them.

12:31

Okay, Director Suzuki, what inspired you to write and direct this film? Many people ask me, why you are Japanese and why do you make this film? I think because I am Japanese.

13:01

that these Nisei, Japanese American, second generation people, have a very good Japanese tradition value, I think. 100% it’s, I don’t know it’s good or not, but anyway, I think it’s very, very beautiful, very, very good. But now, in Japan, we lost all

13:29

these Japanese good values, beautiful values, traditional values. So I want to let Japanese people know these good traditional Japanese values from these Japanese American soldiers, veterans. Especially 442nd people have a very, very good tradition.

13:59

So one of the reasons why I made this film. This is one of the reasons. Very good. Thank you.

14:19

and Assistant Director Monaco. What do you think about Americans of Japanese ancestry after seeing this film and all they went through to be Americans? I came to America half a year ago and this is my first project about the film. I’m very happy to be here with all the veterans because they taught me a lot of things.

14:48

Mr. Rosso Sakai, in the film, he said he has lived, after World War II, he has lived in peace six, five years, and he is showing a little bit of respect for the one who gave up their life 65, 65 years ago. And Joe Sakai, Mr. Joe Sakai said,

15:11

He is wearing the medal for the one who never came back home. What they brought back home from the battlefield is not only the victory. They brought back the wish and the hope who died, who gave up their life a long time ago. And now they are in their 80s and 90s, and it’s our time to take over their wish and their hope.

15:41

for the piece so I’m very honored to be here and please when you go back home and please call the theaters because we want to people watch especially younger generation watch this film and we want to

16:01

pass their wish to the future generation, to the children. So please make a phone call to the theatre and please bring me back to Maui for the theatre screening to read this film known by many people.

16:28

Thank you, Minako. You guys really did a great job on this, I’ve got to say. And Director Suzuki, what’s your next project? Our next project, I intend to make a MIS film, military intelligence service people, because they aren’t known well, because military intelligence, they work secretly.

16:57

So, we don’t know very well, so I want to portray in my speaking. Yes, actually this particular movie, the 442nd, is part of a trilogy that director Suzuki is making to highlight the Japanese American people and the great importance they have had in the American culture.

17:23

The first one was about the internment camps. It’s called Toyo’s Camera, about a fellow that stuck in his lens and took secret pictures and documented the whole of the internment camp experience. And so that one is for sale now. The 442 is just coming out. And the third part, well, maybe we’ll see next year at the Maui Film Festival on the MIS.

17:52

Very good. Now for our esteemed veterans. Joe, what did you, what was it like watching this film and seeing all of this come to light so many years later? I’m reliving this story all over again. I had my dreams. Daily, I go through this. Since I received this medal,

18:21

I have to go to New York, Chicago, Washington, various places, but I have to explain to them that I always put in a prison camp and I volunteered from the prison camp. So why did you volunteer from the prison camp? I wanted to show my loyalty and I am an American. But I’m not a hero. I can’t sell a sin story.

18:51

I wear this for those that didn’t come back. Even for a German soldier I shot. He blew his head off and he never went home. I wear this for him, too. I relive this story daily. In every place that I’ve visited, army camps in Washington, D.C., whatever,

19:20

I explained to him what a true American that I am, and I want to live this life here as an American. Well, Joe’s some kind of hero with my books, I want to tell you, even if he doesn’t think he is, I do, and I really respect these men. I’m sorry, Joe.

19:55

All right, Lassa, what was it like for you viewing all of this so many years later? Thank you for asking, Dr. Sillard. But, you know, as an 18-year-old kid, you don’t know too much. That’s why I volunteered.

20:13

But I’m very happy that director Suzuki has made this film. And I’m very honored to be a part of it. I hope that it will tell the story to those who did not know anything about it. And I’m very sorry that so many of our fellow veterans have passed away and will not be able to see this. But in memory, I’m very happy again that

20:43

It will be shown, and there will be a number of people that will come to understand what the 442nd really did.

21:01

Well, your stories are truly amazing and very heart touching and the values you represent and the American spirit that you embody is inspiration for all of us. I thank you. Well, I thank you all for sharing your lives with us and Director Suzuki, we look forward to your next film.

21:31

And folks, we’ll have to exit the theater soon so the Maui Film Festival staff can prepare for the next film. But before you leave, please fill out your ballots and let’s make 442, Live with Honor, Die with Dignity, a Maui Film Festival win. So have a wonderful Father’s Day and mahalo for sharing it with us.

21:57

and mahalo to the Maui Film Festival for allowing us to show this final film. So thank you, aloha, and please drive safe.

22:30

Thank you.

23:13

There is no other one What I feel here for you Holding you in my arms Cradle you with my love

23:44

You’re all dressed in white Looking in your eyes Tell all the world Tonight I’ll be falling You’re my shining star From this day on

24:04

I’ll be your friend. I’ll be by your side. Blessed are we this night. Shower us with his love. Will you be mine tonight? Giving you all my

24:33

And when we look back at our wedding day This band of gold that we will share Never-ending love for all my life Then I do

25:03

you