<Begin Segment 16>

LT: You have a son and daughter and two grandchildren who are now grown, young adults. Have you talked with them about what you experienced during World War II?

JH: Not really, but I mentioned to Alex that we were in camp and that we were under barbed wire and all that. You know, there's not much article written about that, so he was amazed. He says, "Oh, are you sure, Grandma?" I said, "Yes, we were in camp where we were restricted. We couldn't come back to the West Coast area. We can leave if we, like Grandma went to New York and your dad went to Chicago." But they were amazed, 'cause evidently -- I think they're being published now, in the books now, aren't they?

LT: So you've talked to your grandchildren about that. And it's not surprising that because of what they didn't know before, that they question that. So you'll have to put out your pictures. Thinking about your grandchildren who didn't learn a lot in school about what you and other Japanese Americans experienced, what do you think we should be learning? What do you think Americans should be learning about what happened to Japanese Americans?

JH: Well, they probably should... as long as they're citizens of the United States, if something like this happens again, they should think what happened to us, and not repeat that same issue again.

LT: Okay, that makes sense.

[Interruptions]

LT: You've talked to your grandchildren, especially your grandson about what you experienced during World War II. And he was surprised, because it's not often something that schoolchildren learn.

JH: That's true.

LT: So what should your grandchildren and other grandchildren and other students learn about Japanese Americans and World War II?

JH: Well, I think now that there's books out that they can read about what happened during World War II, and the Americans should make, or any country should make sure that it doesn't happen again, to let everything come out that happened during those times. Other than that, I don't...

LT: And you're doing your part by telling your story. I have one last question. What's important in life?

JH: First, I think it's really my health. Well, anyone's health. As long as you're healthy, you can go out and venture out and do what you wish to accomplish.

LT: And what are you doing to take care of your health?

JH: [Laughs] Trying to, I really should do more exercise, but I haven't been doing that. That's one thing that they stress, is walking or exercising. But I really haven't done that. I used to belong to the Cascade Club, but I don't know how come I dropped out of it. And I haven't rejoined, because I used to do water aerobics twice a week, which was really good, but the water was cold sometimes. That's what got me, to go back.

LT: Well, hopefully the weather is getting nicer, spring is coming, and you'll have a chance to get out and walk even more.

JH: [Laughs] That's true.

LT: Thanks a lot, Jessie.

JH: You're welcome.

<End Segment 16> - Copyright © 2014 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.