<Begin Segment 23>

RP: One last question, do you have any advice or insights to share with young people about the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II?

OM: I don't really have any specific advice but I think, just like my dad said, you got to be, not prepared in a sense that knowing something's going to come, but whenever something comes, that you have to be prepared for that kind of eventuality. That means studying, study hard, that kind of stuff, you know. I don't have anything specific for them but this kind of... I hope camp experience that kind of stuff doesn't happen in their time, but it could be, it could happen again. I think they realize that, you know, we go to these camp reunions, she has friends, I don't have that kind of friends, but she has friends that from camp days, they're best friends still and we still do things with them. That kind of longevity, you know, friendship, I don't think my kids realize how that could be possible, really. I mean, it's not that they stayed in the same place, I mean, they were hundreds a mile apart, and we don't see each other for years sometimes, and yet it's like yesterday when they get together. So I think if anything, I don't know if camp had anything to do with that, I don't think so but -- there's some sort of bonding went on there that, you know, it's more than what you meet in school. Although I have friends that, four of us, there's four couples, that well, we had our golden wedding and we just went to one last week and then the other one was going to be this Friday but his wife got sick and the other one passed away. But the four of us been close couples for over fifty years and no divorces, one death so far. But I don't know what it is that keeps us together but... it's not camp. I really don't know what to tell my kids about camp experiences. But I hope they just don't have any, that's all.

RP: Alright, well, thank you, Sam, on behalf of myself and Kirk and the National Park Service. I appreciate you sharing your time with us.

OM: You're welcome. I thank you very much.

<End Segment 23> - Copyright © 2010 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.