Nozomi Park kiosk recounts Gila River internment camp history
From Rafu.com on January 27, 2017, with mention of SABR member Bill Staples Jr.:
The City of Chandler (Arizona) on Jan. 21 dedicated a kiosk at Nozomi Park with display panels that recount the history of the War Relocation Authority’s Gila River camp.
Guests of honor at the ceremony, held at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center due to inclement weather, included Nisei who played baseball while incarcerated at Gila River. The 30,000 Japanese Americans who were detained in Arizona during World War II (at Poston as well as Gila River) were honored.
The speakers were introduced by Jody Crago of the Chandler Museum.
Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny noted, “While the remains of one of the Japanese internment camps was located not far from here on the Gila River Indian Community, access is extremely limited. This exhibit will preserve and bring awareness to this important part of our country’s history …
“Nozomi means ‘hope’ in Japanese, so it is fitting that we stand here today … remembering those who lived through a dark time with little more on their side than the hope for a much better future. The baseball played at the camps was not only of the highest caliber but also provided hope to those that played the game.”
Read the full article here: http://www.rafu.com/2017/01/kiosk-at-nozomi-park-recounts-gila-river-history/
Originally published: January 30, 2017. Last Updated: January 30, 2017.