On July 10, 2021, local resident and World War II Veteran Toshiro Henry “Hank” Kanbara passed away at the age of 101-years-old.
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.
In 2020, Kanbara was a Veteran of the Year Finalist for the 47th District and was honored for his years of service by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes. After a review of the many nominations, twenty-five veterans were selected as finalists from throughout the community for the Veteran of the Year award which honors veterans who live, work, or volunteer in the 47th Assembly District who have served our country, protecting our freedoms, and who continue to serve our community.
The community of Grand Terrace was also instrumental in the later life of Kanbara, especially the local Girl Scout Troop 76. For Kanbara’s 100th birthday, the troop were on a special mission to bring 100 birthday cards and reached out to the rest of the community asking if they wanted to help contribute.
On March 27, 2020, the troop along with the staff at his new residence of Vista Blue Mountain assisted living center organized a special celebration for his 100th birthday that included a drive by car parade. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols, the party was down-sized to ensure the other residents safety. The troop purchased a plaque for the Veterans Wall of Freedom to be displayed with Kanbara’s name. NBC4 News was also in attendance and recorded a special video package of the event which can still be viewed here.
The following year, the celebration 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.
“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 during the celebration.
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.
During the July 13, 2021 regular City Council meeting, Mayor McNaboe concluded the night by recognizing Kanbara’s military accomplishments as well as the support he had within the community.
“Please remember in your thoughts and prayers, Toshiro Henry Kanbara aka Hank and John Howard for whom we are closing in memory of,” McNaboe said.
City News Group expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Toshiro Henry Kanbara.