<Begin Segment 17>

RP: Did you have any thoughts about that redress or the apology that the U.S. government issued?

AT: No. You mean talk to other people?

RP: How did you feel personally when you got an apology letter and a check?

AT: It was, I was happy with that. Even the children, anybody that was... only thing is a lot of people lost out because they passed away. All my sisters, yeah, I think... I don't remember now. I know my brother got it. But, 'cause he lived to be ninety-seven, eight. No, ninety-seven or eight.

RP: We didn't talk about your, the rest of your family. What happened to them during the war?

AT: They were all in different camps.

RP: Where were they?

AT: My two, two of my sisters were in Poston, Poston I, I think. And then this one family in Heart Mountain is it? Heart Mountain, Wyoming. And my mother and my brother and two sisters were in Topaz, that's Utah. So we were all...

RP: You were spread over four camps?

AT: Yeah, uh-huh. I think we were the first to go. Yeah, I think, I think we were. I know those that were in Topaz had to go to that horse, horse race place. They said it was sure smelly. No matter how much they cleaned they couldn't get the smell out, you know.

RP: So what was your most difficult experience at Manzanar?

AT: The camp? I don't know. My husband was with me all the time so it wasn't bad. And then I could speak Japanese so it was easy to talk to the people. Oh, and I guess not seeing my family, you know, being in different camps like that. That was I think the worst part of it.

RP: Do you have any other stories, Aya, about camp that you want to share with us?

AT: Oh, no, I can't think of anything else.

RP: Okay. Well, thank you very much.

AT: You're welcome.

RP: We appreciate what you shared.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2010 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.