<Begin Segment 54>

DG: What would you want to tell your grandchildren about how to overcome?

MH: See, just one thing. I want my children to become good American citizen.

DG: Okay.

MH: So I told about Hashimoto's story. Did I tell you?

DG: Uh-huh. Go ahead and tell us again.

MH: That when he was grade school, memorizing, "I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America." And father came and, "Do you know the real meaning?"

DG: Right. You did tell us.

MH: Those things I also think my children. So I told, repeat it to children, too. And then I became American citizen. Then I also wanted to be loyal to America.

DG: When did you become a citizen?

MH: After I came back from camp. I don't remember. Only three times I went to school, and then notice came so I went to take a examination. And then I heard that particular examination person was very difficult person at...

DG: Immigration?

MH: Immigration. And then he laughed. That's why other people so shocked, and, "What's happen? What's happen?" I came out and then said that. But he knew I'm long time in America and went to USA and then checking everything. And then, "Oh, you are four feet and twelve inches tall." I said, "Well, I didn't know that twelve inches. I thought that five feet," and he laugh. And then immigration people, "First time he laugh. We heard first time. What did you say?" [Laughs] That's all. I passed. It's a funny thing.

<End Segment 54> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.