My readers know that I have strong feelings about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. I’ve written on the subject many times in my 59 years… Our family had friends who got caught up in all this, so it’s personal. One of the camps was the Minidoka Internment Camp near Twin Falls, Idaho. There will be a pilgrimage of sorts to the area this June. Following is a teaser from an article about the upcoming event in the April 15, 2009 edition of Salem-News.com
(SEATTLE) – Sixty-seven years ago, during World War II, almost thirteen thousand people of Japanese ancestry,
many of whom were American citizens, were forcibly removed from their homes in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, and sent to a desolate “internment camp” near Twin Falls, Idaho.
To commemorate this event, former internees, their families, friends, and those interested in this historic event will make a pilgrimage from Seattle and Portland to the former Minidoka Internment Camp from June 26-28, 2009.
The Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, the Nisei Veterans Committee, and the Friends of Minidoka invite all those who are interested to join us on our pilgrimage.
Minidoka served as an active concentration camp for over three years. Even today the site evokes a mixture of poignant memories and strong emotions: including feelings of denial, distrust, shame and joy. Those on the pilgrimage will revisit the site and reflect on memories shared in a supportive environment with family, friends and National Park Service officials.
