Oral History F-G

MARGARET GUNDERSON & MARGERY FIELD 

This Oral History book is about Margaret Gunderson, her daughter Margery Field and her star pupil Dr. Yuzuru Takeshita. The late Mrs. Gunderson (1903-1997) was interviewed in May, 1997, and died a month later. She was an outstanding, dedicated teacher at Tule Lake Tri-State High School. Parts of her accumulated writings, documents, studentsí essays are utilized in this book and the rest is at CSUS Library, Japanese American Archival Collection. She wrote, ìNo teaching experience can compare with the joy and satisfaction of work at Tule Lake.î Daughter Margery fully understood and supported her parentsí work at Tule Lake . Her father, Martin Gunderson, was principal of Tri-State High School . Yuzuru Takeshita, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan , a Kibei, discusses the need for understanding, healing and forgiveness.

ROBERT ANDTERESA FLETCHER 

This is a story of a Caucasian couple who demonstrated understanding and courage. It was not politically correct nor patriotic to show sympathy to the ìenemyî even though the victims had absolutely nothing to do with the war except having a common ancestry. Mr. Fletcherís (85) grandparents came West in covered wagons. Mrs. Fletcherís (72) grandparents were Italian immigrants and she spoke Italian when she started grade school. Bob made an agreement to responsibly look after the Tsukamoto, Nishi and Okamoto grape and strawberry farms while they were forced into various relocation centers for the duration of WII. The Fletchers have lived in this Florin community all their lives, have seen many changes, and are seeing many more changes.

ISAO FUJIMOTO

Professor Fujimoto (64) of Davis , CA was interviewed in 1991 and the Oral History book was finished in 1997 consisting of eighteen pages of photos and thirty-six pages of text. He talks of his family of thirteen siblings (four are deceased), his education at Berkeley , Stanford, and Cornell and teaching two years at University of Philippines , long career at UC Davis and three years as Director of Asian American Studies. His father answered ìno-noî on the loyalty questionnaire so the family was sent from Heart Mountain to Tule Lake Internment Center . He consistently mentions family get-togethers and rural communities. His visits to and studies in many places of western US. and SE Asia have exposed him to many cultures.

JOY NOZAKI GEE

This Oral History tells of Joy Gee (72) living in several places in Japan and America and her involvement in many activities. She was born in Fife , Washington , the family moved to Garden Grove , California , and thence north to Arroyo Grande. WWII years were spent in Gila River Relocation Center and the family (mother, Joy and one sister) was united with their father who was interned in the Federal Crystal City, Texas Camp. After the war, the family went to Kyoto and managed to survive by working for the Sixth Army Occupation Forces during this period of extreme shortages. Now in retirement, Joy is enjoying her children and grandchildren, and activities of the Mayhew Baptist Church and CSUS Japanese American Archival Collection Committee.

ALICE GOTO

Ms. Goto talks about the life of Christian ministerís wife and mother of two sons. In so doing, much comes out about her husband, Taro. The interviewer is a Christian minister so the interview becomes a little esoteric. She was born in Florin but as the wife of a minister, took her to many, many places. Older son Leo was born in Spokane and birthplace of Marc is not clear. WWII was spent originally in Topaz Relocation Center but the hostility against husband, Taro, (and other Christian ministers) was severe and threatening, so the family was secretly whisked out of camp to Denver and the ( California Street ) Japanese Methodist Church . Postwar, she was a faithful help to Taro as he served as a local pastor and superintendent. In the latter position, the family lived in Lodi . She was active in the Lodi United Methodist Church until poor health curtailed her participation. Then President Nixon sent her a telegram when Taro died in December 1972.