<Begin Segment 30>

KL: This is tape four. We're just gonna wrap up an interview on October the 13th, 2014, with Irene Tatsuta. And I wanted to ask you, you have children, I think, and I wondered if you'd introduce us to who they are and, and if you've ever discussed your experiences during World War II with them and what their thoughts are about them, their reactions.

IT: Right. Well, my, let's see, my first one is Cindy, and she became a specialist in dentistry, root canal. I forgot what it's called already. And she is married to Matt Okui, and his father is the curator of Manzanar and he and his wife both used to be teachers. We're about the same age.

KL: I had forgotten that connection to Mas Okui. He's done, I don't know that he was ever the curator, but that he's done so much as a spokesperson and is included in our film and was a very early advocate. I've seen videotapes of him from like 1992 walking around the site and telling his sto ry, just has been so involved. I forgot that.

IT: Yes, and he has been on TV being interviewed, I think 60 Minutes, I'm not sure. But anyway, I think he was on, well, maybe he wasn't, but they had one on Manzanar and the kids, the orphanage. And I didn't know they had that until I saw that. They called him to, they did something, they had a display or something where the Statue of Liberty is and he took a trip there and he had to give some advice or something. Anyway, but I haven't been to Manzanar yet.

KL: I hope you come sometime.

IT: Yeah, I'd like to go. And I'd like to go see the camp I was in, in Idaho, but I don't know whether, when I'll ever go up there, because my family's gone from Seattle now. So she has two kids, so I have a boy and a girl from her, grandkids. And then my son, he graduated from West Point and he did very well. And he has, this is kind of, he married a girl from Taiwan -- and what a smart girl -- and they have two smart kids, boys, full of, full of activity. And they think Grandma still could run. [Laughs]

KL: That's good. [Laughs]

IT: I spend a lot of my time with the grandkids, or I look forward to seeing them and cooking for them or whatever.

KL: Have you had conversations with your kids ever about this aspect of your background? What are their, or have they shared with you any thoughts that they have about your World War II experiences?

IT: Well, you know, I like to read about those days. My son asked me, I think when he was going to school or something, and he went for his Master's, so I think it was then, but he doesn't say too much. But my daughter is exposed to this camp thing, and she's the one who told me to write in and that's how you got my name, I think. So I think she's more interested the older she gets. But she's getting old now. [Laughs]

KL: Please thank her for me, for suggesting that you write that.

IT: I will.

<End Segment 30> - Copyright © 2014 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.