<Begin Segment 1>

TI: So, Cedrick, we're going to start now. And the way I start this is I kind of describe where we are, and the date. So today is September 22, 2009. We're in Torrance at the Torrance Holiday Inn. And in the room on the camera is Dana Hoshide, and interviewing with me is Martha Nakagawa. I'm Tom Ikeda, and we're here with Cedrick Shimo. So, Cedrick, the first question I have is, can you tell me where and when you were born?

CS: I was born on October 1, 1919, in the Imperial Valley in a town called Heber.

TI: And what was your given name when you were born?

CS: Masaki Shimo.

TI: And so where did "Cedrick" come from?

CS: My mother named me... I don't think it's on my birth certificate. It may be, but I've always been known as Cedrick. She read the book called (Little) Lord Fauntleroy, I think he was one of the lords, a young boy. And she thought he was cute, and she says her son was cute, so she named me after him. I've never forgiven her for that name. [Laughs]

TI: And so the name Cedrick, did you get a lot of teasing from it? Or why do you not forgive her for that?

CS: Well, because it was sissy. I told her, "Why didn't you name me Butch?" [Laughs] I was never... well, 'cause I was with a bunch of friends and they just took it for granted.

TI: Did you ever have a nickname? Did you have a nickname?

CS: Ced.

TI: Ced?

CS: C-E-D. That's what I go by.

TI: So people called you Ced.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2009 Densho. All Rights Reserved.