Visit to Minidoka National Historic Site -Japanese Concentration Camp

Friday was an interesting day. I got an e-mail from Barnes and Noble telling me I had $97 in credit because of a class action suit that had been settled. Works for me!
Late Friday night - 10 o'clock - some one either in the RV park or next door to it - started setting off fireworks - The LOUD BANG kind, then the popping kind, then the whooshing kind. Took about a half hour before they ran out. The first one was kind of scary, sounded like an explosion. 
This picture was taken at 9:15 p.m. Almost like daylight. 

Just before the campground there is a really neat display. It is of a sheep man, his horse and dog and a small herd of sheep. 
In the background is a shepherd's wagon.

The only mural in Hagerman, it is a coffee shop.

We took a little trip yesterday - well I thought it would be a little trip. I mapped it out but didn't bother to check the mileage. Turns out it was over 40 miles - each way. Whoops. Bill kept asking me when we'd get there and I kept telling him - with my fingers crossed - soon. Almost gave up before we got there. We started at #6 to go to #7 way out in the middle of farm fields. 

But it was worth the trip. We went to Minidoka National Historic Site. The remains of a WWII Japanese relocation camp. Never had any idea there was one in Idaho. In less than six months the US War Relocation Authority moved over 110,000 People into "camps." 

When we saw the guard tower we knew we were there. There were eight guard towers in the camp. The camp itself was surrounded by barbed wire fences. 

During the camp's occupation there was a V shaped garden in this area. It is marked out on the sign 
All of the names on this Honor Roll are men and women who left the camp to serve their country - the USA.

A quote from the Honor Roll  sign.

Looking out to where the main camp was.

Men were asked if they were willing to serve in the armed forces of the US on combat duty, whenever ordered.
Second question was Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the USA and defend ;the US from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces.etc. 

How they answered decided their fate  No and No  or Yes and Yes.

The questions were harder to answer than we would think. 

Part of the military police and reception buildings are still standing. The tall narrow part is a fireplace chimney.

Military Police building  -what is left of it. 

The older man went to high school in the camp.

The young girl is recording his memories. She teaches about the camps so people will not forget. 

Kind of a somber place. I'm glad we went but then kind of wish we hadn't. We've also been to Manzanar by Lone Pine in California. 
Today we relaxed - racing and soccer games on TV and high 90 temperatures outside. 
Tomorrow we head to Boise.