<Begin Segment 21>

RP: One final question, and that's just to get back to the, the apology and reparations check that people got. You said you didn't expect to get that. You weren't even aware of it.

CT: I didn't even know. I wasn't aware of it until my foster family, the Nitakes, told me about it and they said, "Celeste, did you apply?" So they got all the information for me, for me to apply and I did.

RP: And how did you feel about that, or did you have any feelings associated with receiving an apology letter for an experience that you yourself described as, as a happy, one of your happiest in your life?

CT: I never experienced, yeah. Well, I said, "Well, if the government's gonna give it to me I'll take it." [Laughs] That was my attitude on it. I, politically I had no feeling about it. I mean, I did not appreciate the pioneers who fought for this. I appreciate now by reading their history, but at that time I did not appreciate that. I just was happy to get it.

RP: Do you mind if I ask you what you used the money for?

CT: Yes. I saved it and put it in the stock market and made money on it.

RP: Okay. Are there any stories that we haven't touched on that you would like to include in our interview before we conclude it?

CT: No, except that I had a wonderful marriage and I have that to, my memories of my husband to push me forward.

RP: And any words of wisdom or lessons that you would impart to young people who might watch this interview regarding your experiences as an orphan or at Manzanar?

CT: Yes. Don't ruminate on the negative. You have to be positive. If you ruminate and keep about what's been done to you in the past you will never grow. You'll get more bitter and it will make you ill, and I says you have to let go. I know it's hard for some people to do that, but you cannot look back and ruminate and let it spoil your life on the negative. Just brush that aside and think positive. But I've been a positive person all my life, even when I was a kid.

RP: Okay. Celeste, on behalf of Mark and myself and the National Park Service, thank you for a very special interview today.

CT: Well thank you for having me. I feel honored. Thank you.

<End Segment 21> - Copyright © 2009 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.