<Begin Segment 23>

MN: Now after the war, when was the first time you returned to Tanforan?

KI: I didn't return until they had that celebration. What was it? About four or five years ago they had the dedication or something?

MN: You live fairly close to Tanforan. Why did it take you so long to revisit the area?

KI: There was nothing there of the old place anyway. But I remember because it is across, almost across from the National Cemetery, and since my husband was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and on Memorial Day weekend we always have a Memorial Day service there. And I remember always telling him, hey, we used to live over there you know. But other than that never gave it thought of wanting to go.

MN: I know there's a shopping mall on that site now. Do you go and shop there?

KI: No.

MN: Why not?

KI: Why come way over there to shop? I just had no interest.

MN: What about Topaz? When was the first time you returned to Topaz?

KI: Probably... I can't remember the first time. I can't remember the first time if it was in the late '80s or the early '90s. I can't remember. I'll have to look that up.

MN: Do you remember how you felt that first time you returned?

KI: Other than the fact that, oh my gosh, we used to live here where it's hot and dry and things like that. I can't imagine we used to live here of all places. There was just nothing, there was still nothing out there. Yeah, I think the first reaction is I guess gee, we used to live here with a real... with a feeling like, gosh we used to live here? Instead of, hey, we used to live here. It's just that inflection that's different that really tells you that it's coming from inside.

<End Segment 23> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.