Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial Ignores Wartime Realities
(page 4 of 5)
Epilogue
More than forty years later, as a result of political action, the U.S. apologized to each evacuee irrespective of citizenship during the war (but not to German, Italian and others who were interned,) paid $20,000 tax free to each living evacuee, including those who were involved in activities supporting Japan, those who petitioned to return to fight for Japan, those who renounced their U.S. citizenship, the nearly 40,000 who left relocation centers for school and work, and even those 6,000 who were born in relocation centers. Apparently, this hasn't been enough. [Note 16]
Now, at great government expense, thanks to the efforts of historically challenged Rep. Jay Inslee, we are to have an eight acre Memorial Park at the former Eagledale Dock area.
In this park is a designated "Witness Tree," a living witness to the alleged great injustice that occurred there when the evacuation of ethnic Japanese took place.
Let us remember that the tree also witnessed the comings and goings of Imperial
Japanese couriers and agents, the passage of ships heading into harm's
way, manned by American servicemen, many of whom never returned. And many others
who spent the war years away from home, living, fighting, and dying under horrible
conditions while faithfully doing their duty day by day. To this time they
have never whined about it.
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Reference Notes
Note 16
The politically approved history of the relocation seldom allows mention or concedes that any relocation took place. Usually we are told that the evacuees were locked up for the duration or the subject is never broached.
Statistics
on those who left the centers
Statistics
on births in the centers