Seven Topaz survivors and family members joined the event at the Capitol on April 22. Their presence highlighted the emotional and historic significance of our return to Utah on the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066.
Yae Wada was 23 years old when she arrived in Topaz in 1942. Now 102, she made the trip from the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Ken Yamashita was born just before Topaz closed in 1945. They are pictured here with Topaz Stories team member Kimi Hill. (Photo by Joy Iwasa, Yae’s granddaughter)
Jeanie Kashima was born shortly after Topaz opened. Because the hospital had not yet been completed, her mother gave birth to her on the floor of the block laundry room. Jeanie (center) is shown with Joe Yoshino, Topaz descendant, and Ruth Sasaki, Topaz descendant and Topaz Stories editor. (Leona Lau)
Joseph Nishimura was 8 years old when he arrived at Topaz. He was accompanied by his wife, Joyce, son, Stephen, and daughter, Brenda. (Brenda Nishimura)
Terry Mitsuyoshi and Cherry Adachi, both Topaz survivors, are the mother and aunt of Meri Mitsuyoshi, who contributed a story about her grandfather (Terry and Cherry’s father). They discovered a Topaz peer, Joseph Nishimura, at the event, and the three had a lot to talk about. (Ruth Sasaki)
“Keeping the stories alive”
Joseph Nishimura explains the layout of the Topaz camp to his son and daughter. (Leona Lau) Daughter Brenda said she was “particularly thrilled that he is speaking out about this painful part of his childhood,” as in the past, her parents had both downplayed their experiences.
Yae Wada points to something of interest as her granddaughter Joy listens. (Kimi Hill)
I had the privilege of addressing the audience at the event, and Dana Shew was kind enough to capture some of my remarks on her phone! This is raw video (I work on a Chromebook and don’t have any video editing capability–or maybe I do, but lack the skills to know where it is/how to use it. 🙂 (Dana Shew)
I am very moved by your eloquence. You and your teammates did a good service to all Americans for bringing these issues up to date.
Thank you,
Masako Takahashi
Topaz survivor
I am very moved by your eloquence. You and your teammates did a good service to all Americans for bringing these issues up to date.
Thank you,
Masako Takahashi
Topaz survivor
Thank you, Masako. Your comment means a great deal to us!
–Ruth