<Begin Segment 18>

DG: And so for the memorial, what sorts of messages or things would you like the memorial to stand for?

[Interruption]

KN: That everybody should be well-educated on this internment issue. And make sure that something like this never happens again to anybody. And you know, there was no trial or anything. It was just, "Okay, you're Japs, you're going," that's it. So I can understand why Minoru Yasui, Gordon Hirabayashi, they protested, and they didn't go to camp. I can understand that. They were so well-educated, they know what was really right or wrong. You're just not going to do it just because the government said you have to do it. So it's good that the students are really learning. And in fact, one student said, "Oh, there's a person walking out of history." You know, we're walking around. [Laughs] Usually when you study history, you're talking, or learning about all the dead people. But to them, we're still walking around, going to the grocery store and it's kind of amazing to them.

KN: So, it's kind of good that it's not something so far off. It's, they could feel connected, that they understand the issues and situation more because we are the ones that went through it and we are the ones that are talking to them and answering their questions. So I think they're more interested and they're more attentive.

DG: So the memorial on Bainbridge is going to be a very unique memorial.

KN: I think so, yes, very unique.

[Interruption]

KN: You know, we started out from Taylor Avenue, that was our departing point. Then we went to Manzanar, then we were transferred to Minidoka, and back home again. So it's like a full circle. And Manzanar camp is on the national historic registry, and I think Minidoka is or will be. And so it all ties in together, so it's very unique. Others have not gone through that.

DG: And how will Bainbridge, the memorial here on Bainbridge be different from the ones at Minidoka and Manzanar? Do you have a feel for that?

KN: You know, I don't know how it will differ, I really don't know. I heard about the Manzanar, how they have worked on it, and it's... I don't know how to say it, because I have not seen it, I have just heard about it. That they do have pilgrimages and they have people visiting there all the time. So I hope that the Bainbridge one will be as unique and educational and interesting to all those that will attend.

<End Segment 18> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.