School's out for-ever
In 1941 O.G. was going to UCLA. That same year the war started. The government took her and many others and put them in internment camps. It didn't matter that they were born in America - these people lost their homes, their businesses and their futures, and were forced to leave with only what they could carry.
Now, SEVENTY years later, UCLA is giving those interned Japanese-Americans their diplomas.
On Saturday we attended the ceremony - many of the recipients have long been deceased, and had to have other family members represent them. Well into their 80s and 90s now, many of them couldn't walk. But O.G. made it there and finally got her diploma after all these years.
It felt kind of bittersweet to me. Sort of like, 'Hey remember that time we made you live in a horse stable? Oops, my bad.' Despite the sadness and what could have been, it was a great day and the graduates seemed really excited and happy.
I made O.G. signs which the boys happily carried and waved. The double decker tour buses got an eyeful everytime they turned the corner - the kids couldn't contain themselves.
After the ceremony there was a reception...with ALL THE MOCHI YOU COULD EAT. Best. Reception. Ever. Even the traditional chi chi dango mochi was dyed UCLA colors which even this die hard Trojan found heart warming.
Later we went to Roy's downtown to celebrate - for some delicious Hawaiian fusion and amazing service. Misoyaki butterfish anyone? OH. YES. And, of course I had to bring a cake from King's Hawaiian to end the meal! (More info on the cake, here.)
O.G. was a media darling, I saw her on the news and interviewed for several papers. I don't normally post personal pictures, but this...this was a momentous occasion seventy years in the making - and frankly, I'd never seen her so happy.
Congrats O.G.! Good luck finding a job in this economy, sucka...
L.A. Times story on UCLA Japanese American honorees
L.A. Times pictures from the ceremony
Channel 2 news story
More pictures from the graduation, here.
Now, SEVENTY years later, UCLA is giving those interned Japanese-Americans their diplomas.
It felt kind of bittersweet to me. Sort of like, 'Hey remember that time we made you live in a horse stable? Oops, my bad.' Despite the sadness and what could have been, it was a great day and the graduates seemed really excited and happy.
O.G. was a media darling, I saw her on the news and interviewed for several papers. I don't normally post personal pictures, but this...this was a momentous occasion seventy years in the making - and frankly, I'd never seen her so happy.
Congrats O.G.! Good luck finding a job in this economy, sucka...
L.A. Times pictures from the ceremony
Channel 2 news story
More pictures from the graduation, here.
Labels: graduation, O.G.
31 Comments:
ConGRADulations OG!!!!!! :o)
Oh man, I am all teary-eyed. Congratulations, O.G.! It's about damn time.
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing such a special occassion! Way to go O.G!
This got me all teary, too.
BTW, I need an intern. The job is O.G.'s if she wants it.
That made me teary eyed too. Congratulations to O.G.!
Congrats O.G.! What a great story!
Tears again! Congrats to OG - she's so cute!! And how sweet that your boys were so excited!
De-lurking cuz this was just too lovely not to say thank you for sharing.
What a lovely, touching story and so long overdue. Congratulations!
As many books as O.G. has starred in, and now with a degree from UCLA, I think she could just show up at Pixar and she'd have a job. Thanks for sharing. It makes me happy, proud, and sad all at the same time.
What a special day! And what a blessing that OG is still around to receive her diploma. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Waaaaaaaay overdue. Thank you for sharing this with us! Congrats O.G.!
Well, I don't normally comment, but this was WONDERFUL. It really made my morning. Congrats to OG for finally getting that diploma! I've never seen someone make a cap and gown look so good...
Congrats OG! Much aloha to you & your family.
What a sad, but also great, story. Felt so conflicted reading it! Love the signs you made for your OG. I'm glad she was able to finally get her long overdue diploma.
I just heard a story about this on NPR. How cool to read about your OG as part of it!
Wow, may congratulations to OG!
Amazingly cool, even it if is kind of bittersweet. Go O.G.!
Congrats O.G.!! Now time to par-TAY!
OMG!!! This is your best post to date! Congrats OG!!
More tears here - thanks for posting such a personal story. Go OG - Class of 2010!!!!
I Loved this story. Congrats to OG! Thanks for Brightening my week.
xoxo,
TDR
wow, congrats to OG...that's an awesome story. (lil sis)
I can see why she was a media darling - she is darling! Glad she got what was coming to her ... lame so late!
so proud and happy for OG! big sis
such a sweet post! congrats to OG!
This is wonderful, just wonderful!! (And long overdue too) What a fantastic memory for you and the kids to be able to share that special day with her!
Awesome! Love the signs your kids held up. I hope they remember this day when they much older...part of history man! I forwarded to my folks in Hawaii and they are soooo happy for your family! Thanks for sharing!
Don't make me cry at work! :) Such a sweet story and congrats OG!
This is such an awesome story! Congrats to O.G.!!!!
While it's well over a year since you posted this story...thank you for sharing. My Dad and his family were sent from Hawaii to Texas and he never likes to speak much of that time...too many bad memories. It's so wonderful that OG got her diploma, very late, but still...
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