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RP: This is an oral history for the Manzanar National Historic Site. This afternoon we're talking with Laurie Sasaki. And our interview is taking place at the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park in Richmond, California. They're located at 2566 MacDonald Street. The date of our interview is April 16, 2010. Interviewer and videographer is Richard Potashin. And we'll be talking with Laurie about her experiences before, during, and after camp at the Poston War Relocation Center. Our interview will be archived in the Park's library. And Laurie, do I have your permission to go ahead and conduct our interview?

LS: Yes.

RP: Thank you so much so much for coming down here and sharing some of your important memories with us today. First of all, a few personal questions. Your birth date and where you were born?

LS: My birth date is January 31, 1932. I was born in Imperial, California.

RP: And that's located how, how close to the Mexican border?

LS: It's right on the border and inland from San Diego.

RP: And can you give us your given name at birth?

LS: My name, Laurie Nakazono.

RP: And do you recall how you received the name Laurie?

LS: My mother and father had very dear friends who had a daughter named Laurie who was absolutely perfect. So they decided that they should have a perfect daughter, and they named me after this Laurie. That's how I got my name.

RP: Your Japanese name, do you, were you ever told what it meant?

LS: No, I don't have a Japanese name. It's just Laurie.

RP: Oh, it's just Laurie?

LS: Yes.

RP: Okay. And do you know if you, were you born at a hospital or born at home?

LS: No, I was born at home. Yes.

RP: By midwife?

LS: Probably my father delivered me and then apparently took me to the doctor and everything was fine. I think that's how it worked in those days.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2010 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.