Elaine Mariko Okamura was the sixth of seven children born to her parents in Honolulu, Hawai'i. She tells of her father, who left Japan to find his father in Hawai'i, and her mother who was born in Kauai but was sent to Japan as a five-year-old to care for her grandmother. Her father owned the only grocery store in their area, and she recalls him doing his calculations on the abacus. Elaine's knowledge of Japanese helped her to become a stewardess for the Pacific Rim for Pan American Airlines.
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On February 21, 1980, collector Bob Bush interviewed porter and retired military man, Hugh E. Key (born on November 17th, 1919 in Fordyce, Arkansas) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the life of a Las Vegas old-timer. Hugh Keys’ wife, Mrs. Key, is also present during the interview and offers a few remarks.
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Michelle DiTondo talks about her parent's experiences living in Osaka, Japan during the war. Father died after the war from tuberculosis. Her mother worked as a seamstress/tailor on the Air force base at the NCO club where she met Michelle's father. Michelle had moved from Tucson to Okinawa and then to Nellis in 1972. She would spend most of her childhood in North Las Vegas for more than 30 years. She speaks on her experience being in an air force family and moving from base to base as well as her fond memories of Las Vegas before casinos were built.
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