Paul Kusuda’s column
May means much to many
May means much to many
Some dates in May this year are also marked for celebration: 1st, 5th, 17th, 18th, 27th.
May is also Older Americans Month. When the Older Americans Month was established in 1963, an estimate was made
that 17 million were 65 years of age and older. About a third lived in poverty, and there were few programs in existence for
the aged. Then, the Older Americans Act was passed in 1965 with three policy goals: (1) Improve the lives of those 60 and
over; (2) Provide the basis to create the U.S. Administration on Aging within the U.S. Department of Heath & Human
Services; and (3) Establish authority to make grants to state agencies on aging. Each state sets up a special agency to
carry out OAA provisions and to be the unifying force for services to seniors. States also provides additional funds to
seniors. In Wisconsin, the Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources within the Department of Health Services is
responsible for OAA programs and other state- and federally-funded community service programs for older people. In
Dane County (Madison WI), the Dane County Area Agency on Aging, appointed by the Dane County Executive, works with
other non-profit agencies to advocate for and carry out programs for the elderly population.
May was also a personally-special month for me. That was the month in 1943 I was allowed to leave the Manzanar
Relocation Center where my parents, brother, sister, and I had be involuntarily incarcerated in 1942. I was among the early
group to leave on a permanent basis; my incarceration was a bit over one year. (The rest of our family stayed in the
Center.) Others, including my older brother, had short-term “furlough” leaves to help with sugar beet harvesting in Utah and
Idaho, but they returned soon after their work was finished. Since sugar supplies were extremely low during the war years,
those who went on “furlough” work were in fact helping meet national needs for the end product. I was permitted to leave
the Center permanently through the help of the American Friends Service Committee that vouched for me and assured that I
would have adequate housing after I got to my destination in Chicago--my choice of where I wanted to get post-graduate
education in social work administration.
Getting to Chicago from Manzanar, near Death Valley, California, was not that easy, but I looked forward to the journey
carrying a suitcase, a portable typewriter, and a few books. The bus fare to a railhead and a connecting one-way train-ride
ticket to Chicago were vouchered by the federal government that also gave me a check for $25.00 for expenses. A school
teacher (Mrs. Afton D. Nance) in Manhattan Beach, California, whom I got to know while in Manzanar Relocation Center,
By Paul H. Kusuda
Spring has sprung in some places early and some places later. Ground hogs in various
parts of the country made their predictions, and a big to-do occurred here and there for
publicity purposes. In the south central area of Wisconsin, the drought was brought to a halt,
and flooding occurred in some areas. Hopes rise that farmers can look forward to a good
growing season.
Mothers’ Day in May means a lot to some, forgotten by others, and disregarded by too many.
In young childhood, the day is expected to be an occasion for a father to do something nice
for his wife so that the family can celebrate a happy time. When older, a youth gives his or
her mother special attention and may even show appreciation for what she does for her
family every day. When older, an adult child occasionally understands some of the lengths to
which Mother had gone to help the family achieve what it did. It’s sad to think that some
moms are taken for granted and not appreciated for her everyday sacrifices. But, what the
heck? That’s life!
Spring has sprung in some places early and some places later. Ground hogs in various
parts of the country made their predictions, and a big to-do occurred here and there for
publicity purposes. In the south central area of Wisconsin, the drought was brought to a halt,
and flooding occurred in some areas. Hopes rise that farmers can look forward to a good
growing season.
Mothers’ Day in May means a lot to some, forgotten by others, and disregarded by too many.
In young childhood, the day is expected to be an occasion for a father to do something nice
for his wife so that the family can celebrate a happy time. When older, a youth gives his or
her mother special attention and may even show appreciation for what she does for her
family every day. When older, an adult child occasionally understands some of the lengths to
which Mother had gone to help the family achieve what it did. It’s sad to think that some
moms are taken for granted and not appreciated for her everyday sacrifices. But, what the
heck? That’s life!
gave me a U.S. Savings Bond worth $25.00, so I felt
confident about my chances of doing well in Chicago
and finding employment before running out of funds.
Fortunately, everything went well. I found and left many
unskilled jobs until I found one that met my needs. After
many months, I was accepted by the University of
Chicago to be a student after undergoing many security
clearances. Later, I discovered that the clearance
process had to be thorough because the atomic bomb
was being developed on campus.
So, May is full of past experiences and promise for the
future. Winter is behind and the year ahead is ahead.
We have to face what’s going to happen, and do our
own little bit to better what lies ahead. Unfortunately,
politics being what it is, our capabilities to improve
future happenings are reduced. But, we must continue
to try, to advocate for what we believe is in the best
interest of all. We must not succumb to acceptance of
status quo by thinking: “What the heck? That’s life!”
confident about my chances of doing well in Chicago
and finding employment before running out of funds.
Fortunately, everything went well. I found and left many
unskilled jobs until I found one that met my needs. After
many months, I was accepted by the University of
Chicago to be a student after undergoing many security
clearances. Later, I discovered that the clearance
process had to be thorough because the atomic bomb
was being developed on campus.
So, May is full of past experiences and promise for the
future. Winter is behind and the year ahead is ahead.
We have to face what’s going to happen, and do our
own little bit to better what lies ahead. Unfortunately,
politics being what it is, our capabilities to improve
future happenings are reduced. But, we must continue
to try, to advocate for what we believe is in the best
interest of all. We must not succumb to acceptance of
status quo by thinking: “What the heck? That’s life!”