'Do something good with these memories'

The family of World War II veteran and Marine Corporal Sam Richiusa gathered to honor his treacherous war journey through the medium of art on Saturday, Feb. 10 when representatives from the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM) opened their doors to dedicate a display to hold a piece of a downed Japanese plane Richiusa had brought home as a souvenir. Richiusa’s son, Gordon Richiusa, orchestrated the dedication after donating the piece, along with a bracelet Sam gave Gordon four days before his passing. “My intention for donating these to PIEAM was to honor my 95-year-old father’s wishes ‘to do something good’ with these memories,” Sam said. “Our intention is to move away from the story of war and move toward the ‘Aloha’ direction of honoring any and all expressions of selfless love.” Sam originally gave the bracelet, also known as the “Sweetheart Souvenir,” to his wife, but then decided to give the piece to his son. Pictured is the bracelet that Gordon donated to follow his father’s request and showcase Sam’s story for the community to see.