<Begin Segment 20>

DG: Oh, okay. Last question. [Laughs] Do you know about the memorial being built here?

AS: Huh?

DG: The memorial being built on Bainbridge Island, over Eagle Harbor?

AS: Yeah, I know...

DG: What do you... tell me what you think about that and what you think its purpose should be and how you feel about that.

AS: I don't know, it seems like they went overboard. But, that's my think-, you know, my personal. You don't have to believe what I say. I mean, I just say... I think it's a little bit overboard. The public is gettin' a little tired of it. Don't you think?

DG: I think some people who...

AS: Some people are complaining, aren't they?

DG: Oh, on Bainbridge?

AS: Yeah.

DG: A couple, few.

AS: Some. So, I think, I think it's a little bit overboard. That's my thinking. How much are they gonna spend on that?

DG: The budget right now is five million.

AS: Huh?

DG: Five million, I think.

AS: How much?

DG: I think five million.

AS: Five?

DG: They've raised, they raised money to purchase the land, and the two million has been raised to build the, the memorial wall.

AS: Holy... five million? Did you just say five million?

DG: Yes.

AS: Oh my God. I think you should send it for better cause. That's my thinking... I don't know. I'm just a hard head, that's all.

DG: Do you think there's a purpose in teaching others about what happened to you and your family and the other Japanese?

AS: Well, they're teaching it in the schools now, aren't they?

DG: On Bainbridge, but not...

AS: Oh, not, just Bainbridge? Oh, not other schools?

DG: Very few.

AS: Oh, they're trying to make it so it'll be in other schools? Oh, that's a different story, see? I'm, I'm one-sided here. I didn't know that. I think people should know what happened, that's for sure. 'Cause that was a wrongdoing. So, I don't know... people, people don't realize, just think about it yourself, that you had to pack up today and leave and... wouldn't that be a hassle? Well, it's same thing my folks went through. And they were up in age then, you know. They were up in their sixties or somethin'. I think it's different, you know. So, I don't know. That's enough? Don't say anymore. [Laughs]

DG: [Laughs] I think you're right, though, Akio. That's why we want to have you talking...

AS: Huh?

DG: The reason we want you talking and telling your story, is so people can understand what you went through. Because it's hard for people to understand. You were just a teenager living, you know, a farming life, and then you were forced to leave. And it, I think it's easier for people to empathize with you if they hear you tell your story, versus read about it or have me tell them. So, that... thank you. Thank you for coming and telling us.

<End Segment 20> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.