Moab Story: Brownie – Topaz Stories – Moab Sun News

Moab Story: Brownie – Topaz Stories – Moab Sun News

The museum is proud to exhibit this fall and winter Topaz Stories: Remembering Japanese American Incarceration in tandem with A Moab prison campand brings a national perspective to this dark period of American history during World War II. The Friends of Topaz collected numerous oral histories and personal recollections from survivors and descendants; However, not all of them are currently on display at the Moab Museum. In this week’s column, we spotlight a story you won’t find anywhere else: “Brownie,” contributed by Roy Iwata.

“Before the war, we had a mixed-breed dog in Sacramento named Brownie who was about six years old. He chased after it Sacramento Bee News anchor who was riding a bicycle and grabbed the newspaper in his mouth. Then he would take it to my father. I used to tease Brownie about letting him chase me, and then I’d jump up, grab a few bars and dangle them just out of reach of his snapping jaws.

In May 1942, “all persons of Japanese descent” were required to report to the Memorial Auditorium at 4 p.mTh and J Streets for transportation to “collection centers.” My parents had to rush to sell items from the store and garage.

We were only supposed to bring what we could carry. My mother packed clothes, metal cups and plates.

We had to put the brownie in a wooden box and ship it to my uncle’s friend in Fresno. I cried as I watched the truck take him away.”

Brothers Bob and Eddie with Roy and Brownie.

Topaz stories And A Moab prison camp are on display in the museum until December 22, 2024. Tune in Tuesday through Saturday to explore this story, learn about continued resilience in the midst of great adversity, and hear from survivors and descendants from Delta to Moab in their own words.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories about the natural and human history of the Moab region. To learn more about Moab’s stories and artifacts, learn about upcoming programs, and become a member, visit www.moabmuseum.org.