Just one year after Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor—December 7, 1941—President Roosevelt formed the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team. During a time of widespread suspicion toward individuals of Japanese descent in the U.S., the 442nd was composed entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans. It became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. military.
Sherry’s father was among these soldiers of the 442nd who fought bravely while experiencing heightened racism. He met Sherry’s mother in Japan, intertwining their lives and shaping Sherry’s identity.
Sherry holds fond memories of living in Japan in her early years. Deeply loved by her grandmother, she recalls lively family gatherings, the joy of hanging out with her young cousins, and the beauty of cherry blossoms that surrounded her home every spring.
This was the only life she knew at age 9 when her family relocated to Hawaii. She remembers the challenges of adjusting to a new culture while her mother spoke only Japanese.
A life of helping others
Sherry adapted over time, remaining in Hawaii and building a life marked by compassion and unwavering service to others. As a young woman, she wanted to be a teacher, but she found her true calling as an equal employment specialist and supervisor, fighting for the rights of others. Through a decades-long career with the U.S. Department of Labor, Sherry was dedicated to championing fairness and equality, as she audited federal contractors to uphold anti-discrimination policies.
Sherry mentored young people in public speaking through Toastmasters, no doubt recalling those early years in Hawaii when her mother couldn’t speak English. She raised a family and poured her efforts into cooking, singing, and painting—all passions inspired by her mother.
When family challenges arose, Sherry’s selfless devotion pulled them through. She cared for her mother as she developed dementia, walked alongside her son as he struggled with addiction, and raised her grandsons for five years when her son could not. “I am happiest when I am helping others,” Sherry reflected.
A wish just for her
But Sherry’s sacrifices on behalf of others came at both a financial and emotional cost—especially in regard to her son’s addiction. The actions she had to take on his behalf often left her both drained and disheartened, leaving little room for her own aspirations.
Sixty-five years passed without Sherry being able to return to her beloved childhood home in Japan. Keenly aware of how memory loss can set in unexpectedly, Sherry wanted to return while she still carried so many vivid memories.
Wish of a Lifetime was honored to send Sherry to the place that shaped her identity once again. Sherry’s daughter Bridgett and good friend Rose accompanied her to Tokyo, where she reconnected with extended family who still live there. The group strolled among the cherry blossoms and visited an onsen—a natural hot spring at the base of Mt. Fuji. The onsen provided Sherry a sense of peace and moment of renewal that she had always wanted to experience.
“When I got there, it was like I was home,” Sherry recalled. “I think my body remembered it. My mind and heart remembered it.”
Less fear, more connection
As a result of the trip, Sherry said she feels more at ease and less afraid. “I’ve always been hesitant and scared to go back to Japan,” Sherry explained. “I thought it would be strange, but I felt so welcomed. I do not like to take risks, but this was risky and new!”
Sherry’s friend, Rose, too, saw positive change during the trip as it related her relationship with her daughter, Bridgett. “I think Sherry and her daughter bonded,” Rose observed. “The trip changed the dynamic of how they get along and how they see each other. This was the beginning of healing.”
Moving forward, Sherry’s extended family in Japan wants to plan a trip for all of the family to travel together, so the younger generations have an opportunity to be connected like the older generations are. “I want to do so much more!” Sherry said. “This is a start of a new adventure for me.”
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