<Begin Segment 11>
MN: Now, let me get into the war years. Do you remember what you were doing on Sunday, December 7, 1941?
AS: All I know is it was a lot of commotion and we were all in front of the radio, but that's all I recall.
MN: So what happened to your father shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked?
AS: What happened? Well, like most of the Isseis, he was interrogated by the FBI, they did come. They did take him to jail, and they interrogated him there. But he even went as far as wearing that, he kept saying he just didn't like it, the prison garb. But he managed to get out that, without even spending the night. He came home. So we were very glad, thankful for that.
MN: Your father was a good talker.
AS: I think so, 'cause the FBI was very nice.
MN: Did you notice any change in your father after this experience?
AS: He was very Americanized, became very pro-American. And he wanted to do what the government said. He even wanted to take a group of people to resettle inland and try to gather a few people. 'Cause he was more of a, like a leader type of person. And it didn't pan out. So consequently he had go to along when we went to camp.
MN: Now, the next day is a Monday. Did you go to school after Pearl Harbor?
AS: Oh, no, I'm sure not. I can't remember, but... in those days, it was a blackout. We couldn't go out of the L.A. city limits for ten miles. And my sister was, I recall she was having, well, to a deliver a baby or something, a nephew, we couldn't even go see her. 'Cause the hospital was on Adams, White Hospital they used to call it in those days.
MN: So did your sister just have the baby by herself?
AS: (...) We couldn't go visit (due to zoning).
MN: Now, how did your parents prepare to go into camp? Did they buy new clothes or new suitcases?
AS: I can't recall. All I know is we were packed and had suitcases.
MN: Do you recall if your parents burned Japanese books?
AS: No, I don't recall that.
MN: You mentioned earlier that you stored some of the items at the Nichiren church?
AS: Nichiren church.
MN: Is that where most of your items were stored?
AS: I think so. (...)
MN: On the day that your family had to go into Santa Anita, where did you gather?
AS: I don't remember. I don't know.
MN: Do you remember what day that you left for Santa Anita?
AS: May. May 5th or something like that. 1942.
MN: If you went in on May 5th, that's two days after your birthday.
AS: No, my birthday's March.
MN: Oh, March, I'm sorry. That's right. Girl's Day.
AS: Right.
MN: But do you recall that your parents bought you any special presents or new clothes to go into camp?
AS: I don't recall.
MN: Your sister had this embarrassing incident with her suitcase going into camp?
AS: Oh, she told me about that many years later. Her suitcase all of a sudden flipped open in Santa Anita while we were all standing in line, and all her sanitary pads came out. She said she'll never forget that.
MN: You mentioned this earlier also, but I'm gonna ask you again. What did you carry into Santa Anita?
AS: My little panda bear, which I still have.
<End Segment 11> - Copyright © 2012 Densho. All Rights Reserved.