Topaz Oral History Project research files: Research files, part 1

Page 52

7. One of the most famous pictures of Topaz showed children pledging their allegiance to the United States despite their internment in camp. Mary Ann Yahiro, in the plaid coat, was one of these children; she not only lost her home, but also her mother, because she was a teacher who was removed to another camp/and died before being reunited with her family. She now, in 1992, lives in Chicago, and has bitter Examiner memories of camp. (San Francisco ~R=:l.=c:l:e=; February 16 , 1992.) 8. The nursery or "play center" at Tanforan was established by Keiko Uchida in a small four-room cottage. It was the first time Keiko had been able to utilize her Mills College training, and the teachers there provided instruction for nearby children. Ultimately there were four such schools there. (Uchida, Desert Exile, pp. 87-88). 9. One of the most poignant rituals at Topaz was the ceremony honoring the Nisei killed in the war. The men of the 442/100 were proud of their military service and brave in battle, but the fact that their mothers, like those of the men killed, still remained behind barbed wire, emphasized the injustice of camp life. 10. As Topaz prepared for closure the Buddhist church headquarters packed its supplies for the return to San Francisco. The church served a strong community in the center and provided assistance in helping returnees to the Bay Area find lodging and employment.