<Begin Segment 9>

TI: And so after you were in, to Schofield, you came to the mainland from there, then to Camp Shelby. Describe what it felt like coming to the mainland; again, you're going from Molokai to Maui, then to Oahu, and then to the mainland. And what, can you remember anything really interesting about the mainland?

FM: The first time we were there, well, even getting on the boat was a little, kinda' special. [Laughs] Never been on a big boat like that. But we all had our bunks, bunk bed, about five or six of us in one stateroom. And we had to do KP duties in the galley. Oh, that was pretty smelly, and made you sick out there. But, well, we got to meet a lot of friends, new people, and good friends.

TI: Was that a pretty good time for you on the boat ride to the mainland?

FM: I was sick all the way.

TI: [Laughs]

FM: Yeah. I stayed in the bunk all the way, I didn't get up. But the boys used to bring me crackers, and soup, and stuff like that.

TI: So you were glad when you got to the mainland?

FM: Oh, yeah. Uh-huh.

BK: How about your send-off from Oahu?

FM: Send-off, yeah.

BK: Do you have any recollections or thoughts about...?

FM: Yeah, we all boarded trains, carrying our big duffel bag full of our GI issue. Walking from, oh we walked quite a distance to get on the boat. That part I remember, carrying the duffel bag, huffing and puffing.

TI: Now I've heard the story that as you huff, and puff, and walked -- and it was pretty far -- that many of the families of some of the people who were leaving were lined up to watch you leave. Did you have anybody to, sort of, wave goodbye to you?

FM: No.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.