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November 7, 1944

Then on November 7th, the most wonderful thing happened that happened to us during the whole thirty-six months and twenty-six days of internment. Red Cross supplies really did come in, but until the trucks had unloaded the last case it was an uncertainty. This shipment came on the Gripsholm as far as Goa and was brought in on the returning Teyo Maru which had taken our repatriates there for exchange. From our high place at the third floor windows we could see from both sides those trucks below. That was the only time a Japanese truck ever looked good to me. But those trucks, twenty in number, which made convoy after convoy all day, were with things for us that our people from home had sent in case on case piled high. What thrills and what excitement went around the camp! Everybody was all smiles. The children danced on tiptoe as they walked and the adults took on a livelier pace. The bill of lading was no secret for our men had unloaded the ship and stored these things in a down town warehouse some days before they came into camp. And all knew that there was plenty for everybody, Good old America.And now we could read the lettering on the cases:

Food for American Internees
Medicines for American Internees
Clothing for American Internees
Shoes for American Internees
Toiletries for American Internees
Cigarettes for American Internees
Tobacco for American Internees

Now they were being unloaded in a special room in the Main Building made ready for this shipment and to be locked there against theft and weather until permission was given by the Japanese for them to be issued. This we thought would be immediately.