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EK: Yeah, it seems like we lost Arlene. But I just wanted to say that if I could spend an entire day, maybe even a year, just hearing stories and experiences that everyone has shared with the Elaine, I would give up anything to do so. I mean, it almost feels so unfair to have a time limit, I guess, on talking about someone so impactful, someone who, like you said, is just a sister. And being considered, I guess, like, even family is... it just says a lot. But like I said, Bill, if there's anything about Elaine -- if there's an Elaine Akagi Day that I'm unaware of and it's just constant story sharing, I would love to attend. But, I guess, yeah, for, I guess, the interest of time, if there are any lasting thoughts or things that want to be shared about Elaine before we close, I would say this is the time and I also would love, love, love, love to hear it.

AL: I do have a story about her animal... because when her mother was in Keiro, and her mother was pretty sick and, and she told her mom, she said, "I have to go home and feed the cats," and then she, "I'll be right back." And so she went home to feed her cat. And then when she came back, her mother passed away. So she waited for Elaine to come back and... 'cause I was working at Keiro during that time, so I would see her. And she told me that and I thought it was just, kind of, I knew she was close to her mother. And then I... she's also buried at the same place where my parents are and I always have this hard time finding her spot, where she's buried with her mom. Who was I talking to somebody... oh, I think at when I was talking to Elaine -- obviously before she passed away -- but said, "Where is your mother's... I can't find it?" And she keeps telling me where it is. Because one day I think Elaine saw my mom's grave, where my mom was buried and she actually put flowers there because she knows me. She probably... I don't know if she knew, my mom knew Elaine, but after she did that I thought that was such a nice thing for her to do. And then, so now I want to go, when I do go out there I want to... but I still have this thing that she goes, "It's like right, straight, this way." [Laughs]

KY: You can't find it. [Laughs]

AL: I can't even find it, it was like this, it like disappeared or I don't know. But she'll, when she told me that one time when she put flowers there, because she happened to see my mom's grave marker and so she put some flowers there. And I thought, "Oh, thank you." Because... so now I kind of want to reciprocate. And I did when Elaine was around, too, because I would, asking, "Tell me again where it is because I keep..." it's like giving directions to somewhere and I can't find it. And those are just a couple of little stories that I kind of remember obviously because it's been a long time. But it kind of, when you piece them all together, they kind of tell you something about Elaine. So...

BT: I have a real quick thing to say. And it's a response of what Elaine said about if there's ever a celebration for Elaine. We had a memorial service for Elaine Akagi on December 8, 2012, two months after she passed away. And it was at the Nisei Vets Hall and there were a lot of people that attended. And one of the things that happened was the mayor issued a proclamation and these are pretty common. And so it was... as he read all the "whereas, whereas, whereas" when he got to the, "Now, therefore, be it proclaimed" we were waiting, okay. December 8th will be what, Elaine Akagi Day, that's what we were expecting. What was read was "December 8th will be, in the city of Seattle, the annual Elaine Reiko Akagi Day." So, by proclamation, every December 8th will be Elaine Reiko Akagi Day in the city of Seattle.

EK: I'll have to note that in my calendar every year.

BT: Okay. [Laughs]

AL: And that was... what was it? Our mayor was oh, McGinn, right?

BT: Mayor McGinn, right.

AL: McGinn, yeah.

EK: And then, Karen, I don't know if you want to finish off. I know like Bill said this is for individuals who don't know Elaine and are able to go back to this recording and learn more about Elaine. So if you don't mind finishing off on a note where... something that you would like individuals in the future or individuals who don't know Elaine, something to note about Elaine through these last minutes. We appreciate it. Big task? Sorry.

KY: Yeah, "Karen, wrap this up." I'm still trying to get my emotions all in check here. I think maybe the best tribute to Elaine is to do what you're doing here today, Elaine. Is to remember someone who really was all about education and about, I think for her, it was making connections to people. And that if you learn about what has happened in the past, and you know in your heart that you can do something, then you need to take action, whatever it is. And it's the volunteerism, whatever your personal skill sets are, apply them to helping others. I think that was her message. And I think that that would be the most gratifying thing for Elaine's legacy. The scholarship that she has, I mean, educating a whole other host of teachers who will teach about not only the Japanese American experience, but the human experience and how important it is to provide leadership and community in whatever capacity you can. That's the key. That's, I think, how Elaine should be remembered.

EK: Well, I, like Bill said, every December I will mark that on the day as Elaine Akagi Day. But I just wanted to say thank you all for being able to share about the, I mean, "amazing" is not even a word that could describe Elaine, it's a word that doesn't exist. But, I mean, I'm feeling... I'm just super grateful that I was able to hear from individuals who knew Elaine and, I mean, I am just -- even if I was not able to meet Elaine, I feel so fortunate and lucky enough to be able to have heard about her. So I just wanted to say thank you so much for being able to speak on that, share your memories, share your stories about her. And yeah, I don't know, Bill, if you want to wrap things up or end the recording soon.

BT: No, I want to thank everybody and, Elaine, thank you for your great job of moderating the discussion. Well, thank you.

AL: Thank you, Elaine.

EK: Thank you.

<End Segment 14> - Copyright © 2022 Seattle Chapter JACL. All Rights Reserved.