Exactly one year later, the community returned to the front lawn of Vista Blue Mountain to celebrate Hank Kanbara’s 101st birthday with a cheerful car drive-by parade, various honors and personal gifts for the WWII Veteran’s monumental day.
“They look after me so good,” Hank said as he looked at the Vista Blue Mountain employees, directors and all of the extraordinary birthday decorations and celebration.
The celebration was hosted by Girl Scout Troop 76 and their leader Julia Firnkoess. The troops all lined up across from the guest of honor and waved American flags as the celebration kicked off.
“It seems like just yesterday we were here for your 100th birthday, we don’t know anyone else who is 101, so you are the national gem of Grand Terrace; we want you to know that and we want celebrate that with you,” Firnkoess said.
Boy Scout Troop 40 began the festivities with the Pledge of Allegiance at the Retirement & Assisted Living Facility where many residents are veterans. After a prayer over Hank for his birthday and healthy life, the Girl Scouts began to honor the 101-year-old by singing happy birthday, singing their special Girl Scout song and presenting him with a customized hat with all of the Girl Scout’s names signed under the brim. Even while under a mask, you could see Hank smile and thank the Girl Scouts as they handed him his one-of-a-kind hat.
“We are so fortunate to know you, this past year has been very challenging, we did not give up, you did not give up,” Firnkoess said. “We’ve learned a lot from you and your journey in WWII, your purple heart and all that you did and shared with the girls, it means a lot, so today we are here to celebrate you once again.”
The Mayor of Grand Terrace, Darcy McNaboe, expressed her best wishes and thanked Hank for his years of service while she presented him with a special letter of recognition for his 101st birthday on behalf of the city council.
“Even though he likes to stay in the shadows of everything, we have the ability to put him in the forefront and give him the recognition that he deserves for all the years of his service in the military as well as his contribution to society,” Kelley Lara, Vista Blue Mountain Executive Director said.
“He’s a great example that when you take care of yourself and do things right from the get-go you can live a healthy productive happy life.”
As the celebration continued, the time came for the parade of old classic cars to make their appearance at the birthday bash. A line of incredibly stunning classic cars began to cruise up to the front of the facility and hold up signs, honk and cheer for the WWII Veteran. The local group Grand Terrace Cars and Coffee learned of the special birthday event just a couple of days before the celebration and sprang into action, getting their members to come and join in.
Hank and long-time resident friend, Betty sat together waving at each car that passed by. Other Vista Blue Mountain residents viewed the parade from outside the facility and some even sat on their balconies to see the spectacle.
When the last cars made their final trip around the front, the Girl Scouts placed their hand-made happy birthday yard signs into the front lawn near Hank and then the girls gathered around so that they could all take one final photo with Hank.
Although the celebration ended outside, the party would continue all day within the facility with cake donated by Stater Bros. and coffee cake donated by Woody’s Classic Grill.
City News Group would like to personally wish Toshiro Henry “Hank” Kanbara a very happy 101st birthday and to please read the previously published article detailing Hank’s years of service during WWII, originally published on 05/18/2015 when Hank received his “Hometown Hero” banner in the City of Colton.
Toshiro Kanbara Honored for Service
By Kayla Sheldon
Staff Writer
2015-05-18
95-year-old Toshiro Henry “Hank” Kanbara was honored with his very own military banner, located at the northeast corner of San Antonio Drive and Mt. Vernon in Colton, on Tuesday, March 3. His daughter and son-in-law Sharon and George Apker surprised Kanbara with his banner installation - hung near his own home. Kanbara, born in Oakdale, Calif. in 1920, was drafted into the Army after graduating from La Puente High School, and served from December 1941 until November 1945, nearly four years.
According to George Apker, Kanbara's son-in-law, he went into the Army working as a truck driver, but after the invasion, they sent Kanbara to Missouri for combat engineer training. During his service, he was also a part of the 232nd Combat Engineers Battalion, which was part of the 442nd Regional Combat Team (RCT). He was stationed in multiple places during his service, including: Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, France, and Italy.
Kanbara’s group accomplished a lot while serving, his daughter Sharon explained. While in France, they rescued a Texas Battalion that was surrounded by Germans. According to George, his group even lost a lot of their own men while rescuing the battalion. “I believe that they are honored if they go to Texas,” Sharon said. Kanbara was honored with several medals and accolades for his service, including a Victory Medal, Good Conduct medal, a Purple Heart, and many more.
According to George, Kanbara earned his Purple Heart after being wounded in Italy. Although he was drafted into the Army, George shared that he would definitely use the word “proud” while describing Kanbara’s experience. “I’ve never heard him say anything negative about his service,” said George, adding, “He’s very patriotic.” Kanbara has worked throughout his life as a farmer and retired as a gardener in the Newport Beach area.
George shared that he convinced him to move to Colton nearly five years ago to be closer to his family. “We’ve always seen military banners hanging throughout the city and Sharon brought it up that we should get him one… I thought it was a great idea,” George explained. They surprised him with his own banner on Tuesday, March 3.
“I don’t think he fully understood what we were telling him until we took him out there and he saw the banner for himself,” Said George. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion but I could tell that he was really happy."
Since his military banner is near his home, George explained, some of Kanbara's neighbors joke with him and always say, “What’re you doing hanging out there?”
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