Navy League to hear 'Moral Wounds of War' Jan. 21

"The Moral Wounds of War" will be explored at the Tuesday, Jan. 21, dinner meeting of Navy League Aurora Council 247.

Retired U.S. Army Major Gen. James H. Mukoyama Jr. will keynote the meeting at Grandma's Table Restaurant, 1700 Douglas Road in Montgomery.

The public is invited. Parking is free. The event will open with a reception at 5:15 p.m.

Dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. Entrée choices are fish, chicken, or beef with soup or salad, dinner rolls, vegetables, dessert and nonalcoholic drink. The cost is $21. A dinner salad entree, $13, includes soup, dinner rolls, dessert and nonalcoholic drink.

Mukoyama, a Chicago native and Glenview resident, founded Military Outreach USA, a nonprofit to heal veterans' moral wounds of war. Additionally, he will discuss how growing up in Chicago influenced his direction in life. A highly decorated Vietnam War veteran of two combat tours, he founded MOUSA after recognizing that many veterans return to civilian life with wounds that affect them morally and religiously.

General Mukoyama retired from the Army in May 1995, after more than 30 years of active and reserve service. During active duty, he served in the demilitarized zone in the Republic of Korea and as an infantry company commander in the 9th Division in Vietnam. He was the youngest Army general officer in 1987 and was promoted as youngest major general in 1990.

In 1989, he became the first Asian-American in U.S. history to command an Army division. His decorations and badges include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Since his retirement from active federal service in 1995, Mukoyama has volunteered in numerous organizations, both governmental and non-profits.

For five years, the last two as chairman, he served on the Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Community activities included eight years as president and board member of a senior citizens subsidized housing apartment complex in Chicago. Additionally, he served six years with his wife, K.J., as a hospice patient volunteer.

Since 2002, he has served as a volunteer instructor for the Military Ministry of CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in the Command Religious Program at the Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Center. Additionally, he trained Navy recruit Instructors.

Mukoyama earned a bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois.

Call (630) 816-7612 for more information.