Terrific talk this morning by historian Naomi Shibata about the Japanese–Nikkei– immigrant experience before, during and after World War II.

Her grandfather, Tameji Eto, farmed the Los Osos Valley. He was still in his work clothes, about to go to bed, when a knock on the door roused him about ten at night on December 7, 1941.

It was the sheriff and two FBI agents. They just wanted for him to come along for a few questions.

Mr. Eto asked them to wait for a few moments. He left the room and changed into his suit–it was a sign of respect for authority, including the three men inside his home.

On the way out the door, one of the FBI agents said, “you may want to bring your coat.”

Eto was bound for a prison camp for “enemy aliens” in Missoula, Montana. He spent a week or so first in the Santa Barbara County Jail.

He was allowed to tell his family where he was headed–his train would come through San Luis– but he had no clothes. Certainly, no clothes for Missoula, Montana, in December.

The family contacted Mr. Sinsheimer, who opened his store in the middle of the night so they could find some warm clothing. I’m pretty sure he told them to pay him later.

They were waiting at the SLO train station, with their purchases wrapped in paper and twine, for Tameji’s train. They waited all night.

It had been re-routed.

* * *

Vard Loomis, so deservedly lauded for the support he gave to the South County interned, made sure the property taxes on the Eto family’s farm were paid on time.

* * *

The FBI picked up Eto and, here, in Arroyo Grande, men like Shig Kobara, because they were successful men perceived as natural leaders. The aim was to decapitate Nikkei leadership. That would make the enforcement of 9066, five months later, a little easier.

* * *

Shibata made a stunning point about Executive Order 9066, which ordered the removal of “all alien and non-alien” Japanese. She found that a curious passage.

What do you call a “non-alien?” she asked the audience.

“An American citizen,” a man called from the back of the room.

* * *

Mr. Eto’s son-in-law, Leo Kikuchi, was killed in action in Italy. Here, in the South County, Arroyo Grande farmworker Sadami Fujita was killed in action in France.

They were American citizens.