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VO: When you're talking to your grandchildren, are there certain lessons that you feel it's important that they understand about the Japanese American...

EO: Well, I want them to be proud of their heritage, and not to be ashamed. A lot of the kids are hapas, but still, you know hapa? Half? They're all good kids.

VO: Do you think that the experience shaped the way you think about being an American?

EO: I kind of think so. I mean, I wouldn't want it to happen to any other group, and I would stand for that. If the government ever tried to persecute any group, any other ethnic group, I would certainly stand up for that, speak against something like that. Our motto is "never again," right? Never again. So we don't want that to happen, and I kind of feel for the Native Americans. They went through a lot of discrimination, persecution. So I kind of feel with them. In fact, my son was, he almost got married to a Native American, but then they decided that he didn't really like rodeos. [Laughs] He wouldn't know which end of the horse to get up on. They're interested in rodeos, in fact, I think she was a rodeo queen at one time. She was a direct descendant of Chief Joseph, real nice gal. They met at the University of Oregon, because she was in charge of the Native American students, and he was in charge of the Asian student club. So they had their office right next door to each other, real nice gal. In fact, she runs the Pendleton museum there, so I had a chance to visit with her. We went on a golf trip over to Pendleton and we had a nice visit. I have real fond memories of her, and her mother, too. You know, the Native Americans are like the Japanese, they give gifts right away. And I hardly knew her mother, but she made a beautiful shawl for me. She gave me a record of Indian chants. They're very giving. Let's see, what else? What else can I talk about? [Laughs]

VO: What's important in life, and sort of overall philosophical questions like that?

EO: Yeah, well, I think, to me, to treat people with kindness is important. No matter how you're treated, you don't have to be friends, but at least respect people, respect others' religion and their ideals, and stand up for some of the strong beliefs that you have, speak out. I hope my kids can do the same.

VO: And have your children remained active Buddhists?

EO: I can't say active, but I think they're all Buddhists. Like my, I know I have a granddaughter down in California, and she was active in the San Jose YBA, and they went to Japan. And so it was a real good experience for her, you know, they visited the Hongwanji Temple, she saw all that, and she got to meet the Gomonshu. This is through the YBA. So she's really involved more in San Jose than in South Alameda where my daughter goes. But I think they're all, they may not be real active in the temple, but they're members.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2013 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.