Japanese-American veterans of World War II will receive replica Congressional Gold Medals during the sold-out Day of Remembrance luncheon Sunday in Clovis.

The medals, replicas of those given at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in January, will be presented to veterans, surviving spouses or family members.

The local ceremony was planned because several Japanese-American veterans from the Valley couldn't travel to the nation's capital for the ceremony, said Dale Ikeda, chairman of the event.

Japanese-American soldiers fought in Europe and the Pacific during World War II, while many of their families spent the war years in internment camps.

The replica medals depict the "Go for Broke" motto and the insignias of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion, which together became the most highly decorated military unit in history.

The medals also carry the insignia of the Military Intelligence Service, which translated and interpreted Japanese military communications in the Pacific Theater.

The Day of Remembrance event is co-sponsored by the Central California District of the Japanese American Citizens League and the Clovis Veterans Memorial District. Tickets are no longer available for the event at the Clovis Veterans Memorial building.

The Nisei Farmers League paid for the cost of the replica medals and other expenses for veterans.