It was more than 70 years ago, but the stench of living in a racing staple is still vivid in the minds of many Japanese Americans who were herded like cattle to the Santa Anita Race Track–until they could be transferred to more permanent detention centers (photo from wikpedia commons).
The Los Angeles Times reports about 400 former prisoners and their family members returned for an event honoring Rafu Shimpo columnist George “Horse” Yoshinaga who has organized many reunions at the track.
“Remember how smelly the stables were?” wondered June Aochi Berk, who was 10 years old when sent to Santa Anita. “My friend couldn’t eat because the smell of the stables made her sick.”
She had a lot of company. About 19,000 Japanese Americans were sent here. This was the largest of 17 assembly centers.
“I got my name here,” Yoshinaga said about his nickname. “They say it’s because I ran on the track, but it’s because I smell like a horse.”