About the Program: After Pearl Harbor, thousands of young Japanese American men and women joined the war effort, giving all to prove loyalty to a country holding their families behind barbed wire. The brave soldiers of the all-Japanese American 100th/442nd unit of World War II persevered through extreme and unusual hardship, handing down a deep heritage of unwavering patriotism to future generations. Lauren R. Harris, author of two books for children about the 100th/442nd RCT, will share veterans' first-hand experiences through photos and discussion of their courageous legacy, including some lesser known Spokane connections and new research developed over the past year. 

About the presenter: Lauren R. Harris grew up in a military family and has visited most of the United States, studying history along the way. She blended her experiences as an elementary school teacher, homeschool mom, and freelance journalist to write her extensively researched children's historical picture books, The Plumb Neighbor and A Place for Harvest: The Story of Kenny Higashi. Lauren has been featured in the GetLit! Festival, on Spokane Public Radio, in newspapers, and enjoys visiting schools to share with children about the all-Japanese American veterans of WWII. 

This presentation is about one hour with time for questions and deeper insights.