I was asked by the Tule Lake Committee to say a few words
about the loss of Sue Embrey, who died in Los Angeles,
May 15th. She was 83 years old.

Sue was the mainstay of the Manzanar Committee, and for
nearly 4 decades, she worked to preserve Manzanar –
shepherding the site through the process of becoming a
State Historic Landmark in 1972 and then a National
Historic Landmark.

Manzanar is now a National Park site, and every month,
thousands of people visit Manzanar to learn about a very
dark episode of American history.

We were fortunate to have Sue with us at the last two
Tule Lake pilgrimages in 2002 and 2004. She came to
offer support in our journey to preserve Tule Lake. She
inspired and guided us, and was generous in sharing her
knowledge and wisdom. Many of us joined her at the
wonderful Grand Opening of the Manzanar visitor center in
2004.

As we begin our 2006 pilgrimage, I know that Sue is
somewhere out there in spirit, celebrating our National
Historic Landmark status, and encouraging us on, through
the next stage of the journey.

Since you’re out there listening Sue, we want you to know
that we honor you and cherish our memories of you.

But, most of all, we want you to know how much we will
miss you.

Barbara Takei

Sue, Harry, Art, Judy Tachibana, Barbara Takei
and Karl Matsushita of the Japanese American
Nationa Library.
Photo taken by Emiko Omori.

Sue, Harry Ueno and Art Hansen -- At Kimochi
(Sacramento) with a copy of Manzanar Martyr,
the day before departing on the 2002 Tule Lake
pilgrimage.
Photo taken by Judy Tachibana.

Photo looking at Manzanar Martyr, with Sue,
Harry, Barbara, Art, Judy and Emiko Omori,
producer/director Rabbit in the Moon.
Photo taken by Karl Matsushita.