The theme of Hood River’s annual Veterans Day ceremony next Friday will honor Japanese American veterans and make amends and reconcile past actions. Hood River American Legion Post 22 Commander Carl Casey will address past discrimination, including the actions of Post members on November 29, 1944 when they went to the County Courthouse and blacked out from plaques honoring local service members the names of sixteen men of Japanese descent that were at the time fighting for the United States overseas. Casey said in a statement this will be a time for Post 22 to acknowledge their past role, apologize for their actions, and express a desire to be leaders in accepting all veterans and people in Hood River by presenting new Post resolutions rescinding past wrongs and promising a united future. Gary Akiyama, whose father George fought in World War II, will share his father’s military history and discuss prejudices and discrimination he experienced. The ceremony will be November 11 at 11 a.m. at Anderson Tribute Center in Hood River.