Forty-Six Years of Silence

About the Book

This is the story of my pioneering paternal (Shinno) and maternal (Kuwada) grandparents who came to this country in search of the promise of America but were met instead with racism and discrimination. With quiet dignity they struggled to find a place in an America that would not have them… It is the story of my parents’ generation, born into this great nation but denied their place in it. The dark days of internment and incarceration and the valiant battle fought in the relentless belief in democratic principles. Each family with Japanese ancestors endured the camp experience, but the Shinno’s and Kuwada’s who were strangers, found themselves melding their families together to prevent my parents Luie Shinno and Ruth Kuwada from being separated. On the other hand, the Kuwada family became, perhaps, the only family separated by an ocean with father Katsuzo and 2 American born children in Japan who were taunted and tortured by Japanese Soldiers because they were “American!” They also saw the horrors of the war amidst the bombing of Nagasaki. Majiu, the mother and 4 children were sent to the camps which caused a chasm that was never able to be repaired. It is also the journey of my generation who came of age during the socially conscious 60’s and 70’s. Many of my generation challenged our parents to explain why they had not demanded their rights as citizens and protested their wartime incarceration. The answers inspired my generation to champion redress for our parents, leading to the passage of new civil rights legislation in the 1980’s; our activism seemed to be our way of showing that a wrong could be made right and that our parents could finally be vindicated. I am proud of my family for setting the example for me by showing that love, joy, hard work and resilience pave the way for successful lives without anger and bitterness. My father often used this quote… Yesterday is history… Tomorrow is a mystery… Today is a gift… That’s why they call it the present… ***The cover image is the Shinno and Kuwada families waiting to board the train to the Santa Anita Internment Center.

About the Author

Norma Donlon is a wife, mother of 5, grandmother of 7, great-grandmother of 3, and a volunteer, advocate, speaker, author, Ambassador for Wreaths Across America, and Ambassador for the National Medal of Honor Leadership Center. During her 55 years of marriage to Roger Donlon, who was a career Soldier, they moved 16 times in 20 years. As well as Army posts all around the United States, they had 3 overseas postings to Thailand, Panama and Japan. These are some of the volunteer positions Norma has held: Coordinator for volunteers at the “Abandoned Children’s Ward” in Bangkok, Thailand. Chairman of the Board for the” Fort Gulick, Panama Pre-School” Chairman and Editor for “Centennial Belle Cookbook” the women’s project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS Every position in Cub Scouts from Den Mother to Chairman of the Pack. “Whitter Club” one of the oldest literary clubs in Kansas. Elected to President, 1st VP, 2nd VP and Secretary. “Kansas State Representative” for Japanese American Redress Issues. Along with her husband, Roger, sponsored students from Japan at Saint Mary University in Leavenworth, KS. They also sponsored International Student Officers for 25 years at the Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Awards and honors for more than 50 years of volunteer service: “Civilian Service Medal” from the Department of the Army. “Shield of Sparta” from the National Infantry Association. “Honorary Member” of the National Special Forces Association, the 7th woman to be so honored. “Maggie Raye Award” and “Norma Donlon Care Provider Program” from the Special Forces Trust. “Medal of Honor” from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, their most prestigious award. Along with her husband, they were recognized with: “American Century Award” from the Washington Times Foundation. “Defense Cooperation Award with Shield” from the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force.