Jeanne Wakatsuki, at just seven years old, stood with her family on a Long Beach wharf, bidding farewell to her father as his fishing vessel sailed out. This seemingly ordinary moment marked the cusp of a profound transformation in her life. As the boats returned with ominous news of the Pearl Harbor attack, Jeanne’s world began to unravel in ways she could not yet comprehend.

Life Upended

That same night, Jeanne’s father, Ko Wakatsuki, made a desperate attempt to erase his Japanese heritage by burning his ancestral flag and important documents from his homeland. Two weeks later, federal agents arrived, taking him away, prompting the family to move repeatedly. By April 1942, the Wakatsukis were instructed to gather at a Buddhist temple, a staging ground for what was told to be "resettlement." The journey into the California desert aboard a bus was a day-long ordeal, yet for Jeanne, who had never ventured beyond Los Angeles, it felt like an adventure, contrasting with her siblings' relief at escaping the racial tensions in the city.

Life at Manzanar

Their arrival at Manzanar revealed a grim camp of black barracks, set against the barren landscape north of Los Angeles in Owens Valley. Sand infiltrated everything in this place, a temporary home built in haste. Unlike many, the Wakatsuki family managed to stay together. They were assigned two small rooms in Block 16, which they hurriedly partitioned with blankets for a semblance of privacy. That first night, the relentless wind drove sand through every crevice, making sleep elusive. The next morning, Woody, taking on the role of family leader in Ko’s absence, organized his younger brothers to seal cracks with can lids and makeshift paper insulation.

Challenges and Adaptations

Jeanne, as the youngest, benefited from the care and protection of her older siblings, especially her mother, next to whom she slept each night. However, she could not be shielded from all the hardships: the spoiled food-induced illnesses, the unsanitary latrines, and the myriad indignities that came with their new living conditions.

Childhood Resilience

Children adapt quickly, and despite the initial lack of essential services like schools, Jeanne found ways to explore and amuse herself within the camp. She often visited the Maryknoll sisters’ chapel, enchanted by their tales of saints and martyrs. Jeanne participated in recreational programs that occasionally took the children outside the camp's barbed wire for outdoor activities. Although she tried a traditional dance lesson with an old geisha, it didn't appeal to her. Instead, she found joy in baton twirling, a newfound passion.

Gradual Improvements

Over time, conditions at Manzanar saw improvements. A hospital and schools were established, and some construction flaws were addressed, making the barracks more livable. After nine months, Ko returned from Fort Lincoln, bearing the deep scars of his internment. The experience had aged him, not physically but in spirit, as the accusations of disloyalty and the loss of dignity took their toll. Ko spent time sequestered in their room, brewing wine and occasionally erupting in anger, a stark change from the man they once knew.

Changing Restrictions and Choices

As the war progressed, some restrictions on Japanese Americans were lifted. Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, were allowed to leave the camps if they secured employment, and men were eligible for the military draft. Jeanne’s brother Woody enlisted despite disagreements with Ko, who ultimately supported his decision, and the family proudly watched Woody depart with his unit.

Returning to a Changed World

After the camp closed, Jeanne and her family returned to Los Angeles, where she yearned to fit in as a typical American girl. Yet, reality was harsh; her Japanese heritage barred her from participating in some groups like the Girl Scouts. Despite these setbacks, she celebrated small victories, such as leading as a drum majorette and being elected carnival queen in her senior year. However, the shadow of her past lingered, a constant reminder of her otherness and the unspoken shame of their internment.

Reflecting on the Past

Years later, Jeanne found herself revisiting memories of Manzanar, compelled to put them into words. Visiting the site where her childhood was indelibly marked, she confronted these recollections, finding a new perspective. The camp, now succumbing to the desert's encroachment, served as a poignant symbol of both the passage of time and the endurance of her family's spirit.