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Volume One Number One J uI y THE LONG AWAITED TAPE "TOPAZ MEMORIES: A JOURNEY OF THE HEART" IS NOW AVAILABLE. Joe Mori Dave Tatsuno, who many of you know, has put together a video tape which covers a period oftime from 1943 to 1945, the 50th year Topaz Reunion held on September 4-5-6 of 1992 and the Return to Topaz trek which was held on May 29-30 1993. I think it covers subject matters that the Reunion goers have been asking for. And it should be something that will be of interest to the Sansei, Yonsei, Goseis and generations yet to come. This video tape will be made available to all comers with this proviso: Support the Topaz Museum Board in its effort to raise funds so the Museum will become a reality. A minimum donation of $100 is asked for one tape. The committee will gladly accept any amount but for the copy of the tape, it is at least $100. There is much to be done and a large amount of money is required so we ask that the donors be as generous as possible. This is the only camp that I know of that is making an effort to establish some sort of a permanent structure, besides a memorial monument at the camp site, to mark what happened a half a century ago to a minority group. Everyone of us who is interested in not having a similar occurrence ever to happen again to any group, especially minority groups, in these United States should give support to this effort so there will be a perpetual reminder of how one group can abridge the rights of another group under the guise of "what is best for the Country." Donation can be sent to the Topaz Museum Board as indicated below. A form is attached to the lower part of this article which may be used to request a copy of the video tape for a $100 donation. If you wish to make a donation only, the Board will be more than happy to accept any amount you can manage to send. The same form may be used but delete the part about the video tape. Actually, the amount enclosed will indicate whether a tape will be Who are these three young ladies? If you can identify ANY of the pictures in this issue, please write to us . AI'"1rt'llNl:l ished by the Topaz Museum Board provided or not. Please allow six to eight weeks for shipment of tape. Fill out the form below, detach, and send with a check to: TOPAZ MUSEUM PO BOX 550 DELTA, UT 84624 I am making a donation for the funding of the TOPAZ MUSEUM which is to be established in the town of Delta, Utah. I understand that a donation of at least $100 will procure a copy of Dave Tatsuno's video tape "TOPAZ MEMORIES--A JOURNEY OF THE HEART". Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Donation $____ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City, State, Zip Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MUSEUM PROGRESS REPORT Ted Nagata Due to the National JACL Convention being hosted in Salt Lake City this summer, the Museum Board has found it difficult to meet as often as in the past. However, work is progressing. This newsletter is one example. It was good to have Chuck Kubokawa join us for our last meeting in February 1994. Construction bids have been received to have the museum barrack renovated to 1942 condition and moved to a permanent site on the grounds of the Great Basin Museum in Delta. Board member Charlotte Morrison says this will cost approximately $15,000 including the building of foundations. Work is scheduled to start with a ground breaking on July 16, 1994. Some questions remain on vendor qualifications in historic preservation work. Jane is investigating the possibility of having an historic preservation supervisor check the work. Chuck Kubokawa's idea of having a "Hammer and nails" committee of internees to assist in the work would assure more authenticity and care in workmanship. It could be a lot of fun and fellowship, too. A booth at the JACL Convention has been secured (free of charge) for more Museum information and fundraising. The acclaimed art exhibit "The View from Within: JA Art from the Internment Camps" will also be on display. Additional fundraising mailings are planned: the first to local Salt Lake City JACL members and internees, later a corporate mailing (this might be our most productive effort). Our bank balance as of May 31, 1994 stands at $31,840, total donations are in the neighborhood of $44,000. Jane Beckwith, Ted Nagata and Tom Morita presented a proposal to the Utah Centennial Commission 45 days ago for Topaz Museum funding -- recently we were notified that our efforts were successful and the Museum is soon to receive an additional $5,000. REUNION CRUISE ... ANYBODY INTERESTED? Chuck Kubokawa Many of you have stated interest in having a final reunion commemorating the 50 years after being emancipated out of the U.S. Concentration Camp. That would be sometime next year in 1995.