<Begin Segment 24>

SG: I was going to go back to your children. Were there any, what values did you try to instill in your children while raising them?

GA: One of the things of course is honesty, respect for grandparents, be trustworthy. I think those are the main things that I've emphasized.

SG: Do you, your parents are Issei, you're Nisei, and you have children who are Sansei and grandchildren who are Yonsei, do you see, what differences do you see in those generations of the Japanese community?

GA: In the community?

SG: Uh-huh.

GA: One thing I think as the generations go along, I've noticed that more and more they get away from being Japanese, and you see so many intermarriages. I don't know what the percentage is, but I would say the percentage is huge these days where Japanese are marrying a Caucasian or another race. So one of these days, Japanese who are half breed or a quarter breed are not going to think they're any part of, any Japanese in them at all. That's the way I feel. It's nice if they would remember the fact that they were Japanese. I doubt it.

SG: Are there certain aspects of being Japanese you would like for other generations to remember?

GA: Well, yeah. I think many traits of Japanese that I would like to see them keep; respect for their elders, again, honesty and trustworthiness, respect for the aged, did I mention that, respect for the aged. I think that's all I can think of at the moment. Also, I'd like to see them keep up remembering Japanese food because Japanese food is good, not taste only but health wise, so I hope that they'll keep up the eating Japanese food.

SG: Are there any other Japanese customs that you feel would be important?

GA: Well, there's a lot of Japanese customs. I can't think of them at the moment, but there are a lot of good Japanese customs that I'd like to have them continue. I can't think of them at the moment, but there are many. I can't think of them at the moment.

SG: That's fine. Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you would like mention in terms of your history as a, growing up here in Oregon, your life experience?

GA: I can't think of anything at the moment. I'm sure there are, but I can't think of any at the moment.

SG: I'll just ask you two more questions, and one of them is did you go on the Freedom Flight that was organized by Azumano Travel after --

GA: I did.

SG: Can you tell me more about what the Freedom Flight was about?

GA: Well, it was organized by Sho and Loen Dozono -- Loen is my daughter; Sho is my son-in-law, and they thought of the idea to take people to New York to show that we're supporting them and to, I guess to tell them that the Portland, Oregon, people are backing them up, that Oregon still, Oregon loves New York and wants to continue supporting them. And of course when you take a thousand people to one place, naturally, it brings up economic benefits for the recipients, and that's what happened in this case, especially when New York was suffering from lack of business. The New York people really appreciated the fact that Oregon supported them. There are other factors here, but I can't think clearly enough to remember them.

SG: What was that experience of going to New York, what was the personal experience for you visiting that site?

GA: Oh my gosh, visiting the site was really a, what do you call it, something I never realized, it was that huge to see these two buildings flattened. It was very, very sad. And to have all those people killed in this action was very, very, what's the word, well, very sad, and I just hope that never happens again. I just hope and pray that it never happens again. The scene was devastating.

SG: Was there any message you would like to, looking back on your experiences and the generations, the current generation, generations to come, is there any message you would like to leave them with from your own life experience?

GA: Pardon me?

SG: From your own life experience?

GA: Well, I hope that people respect each other. Sometimes you get the feeling that people don't respect each other these days, but I hope that the respect will continue and love one another. That's the main thing.

SG: I have one more question for you, Mr. Azumano. You said one of the joys in your life has been traveling. It's one of your things you enjoyed most about life, and what about traveling brings you so much joy? What about travel? What do you love about traveling so much?

GA: Well, if, first of all, you find that people are same all over, all over, and you can make many friends by being friendly to them. I think that's one of the things I like about travel. Of course, wherever you go, you see different things, but that's taken for granted. I found that you can make more friends by being friendly to them.

SG: So you enjoy meeting the people from the various countries?

GA: Oh, yes, yes. Even if you can't speak the language, somehow you can get, convey your message.

SG: Well, before we end the interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

GA: No, I haven't.

SG: Well, thanks so much, Mr. Azumano, for taking the time.

GA: I hope I've done something worthwhile here. Thank you.

SG: Very, very interesting.

GA: Thank you.

<End Segment 24> - Copyright © 2003 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.