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FS: But there are other things that took place. For instance, we talked earlier -- may I proceed? For instance, we talked about my parents and other first-generation Japanese and the exclusion act did not permit them to become citizens. And during World War II, they modified that and Chinese, Chinese, Asians, Chinese immigrants become citizens. It was not until 1952, 1953 that the laws changed and people like my folks and Lily's mother were eligible to become naturalized citizens. And so the great mass of the first generation, Isseis, became American citizens at that point, and that was really a major, it was quite an occasion in our family. I can recall standing in the back of the room watching my mother and dad being sworn in and I said, the thought passed my mind, "My God, Fred, you had a piece of this one." It was really a very satisfying, gratifying thing. It was not until 1962 that the State of Washington cancelled the alien land laws. It was not until then that -- the state has always had alien land laws. That people from, particularly from Asia could not own property. Of course, by then, my sister and brother were old enough that they could own the house that we lived in, for example. And then my folks became citizens so it didn't make any difference. But this, the law was on the books in the state of Washington until 1962. But these were all, I at least would like to claim this is part of the legacy of the, of the 442nd.

[Interruption]

FS: The, one of the things that happened when they changed the law was that they said people like the Issei, like our Issei parents did not have to take the test in English, and was, that's always been the law, that they have to... so we were given these crib books for, to help my mother and father pass the test. And so my older brother Roy and I would coach them in this thing. They learned well, Mother and Dad were not dumb, but they had trouble with the English language, and I can recall this, they said, "Where was the, where was the Constitution signed?" And, "The Constitution was signed in Hooloodaufiya." And "Mom?" "Hooloodaupiya." And it, the Philadelphia just would not come out, you know. There are just not letters in the Japanese language that, that pronounced like that. But it would, my brother and I would just roll on the floor when trying, but it, they did pass, they become American citizens. [Laughs] But it was, oh, God, that was quite an occasion.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.