July 21, 1942
We were given only 48 hours to say goodbye and leave behind all that I had known. I expected it to be bad, but it turned out even worse. Forced into a bus filled with strangers, the bus ride to Manzanar, California was long and exhausting. Over 10,000 men, women, and children all trapped in hell. They took you from me. As my parents you meant everything to me but that didn’t stop them. One by one we were issued a cot, an army blanket, and a sack to be filled with straw for a mattress. I was given a barrack covered in tarpaper to live in according to the size of my family, but what did it matter since you were gone. Don’t worry. I’ll find my way back to you. I won’t let them get in the way of us being a family again.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina
We were given only 48 hours to say goodbye and leave behind all that I had known. I expected it to be bad, but it turned out even worse. Forced into a bus filled with strangers, the bus ride to Manzanar, California was long and exhausting. Over 10,000 men, women, and children all trapped in hell. They took you from me. As my parents you meant everything to me but that didn’t stop them. One by one we were issued a cot, an army blanket, and a sack to be filled with straw for a mattress. I was given a barrack covered in tarpaper to live in according to the size of my family, but what did it matter since you were gone. Don’t worry. I’ll find my way back to you. I won’t let them get in the way of us being a family again.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina
May 3, 1943
I have received the opportunity to join the United States army in the Women's Army Corps. The loyalty test was tough but I managed to pass. There were two questions which weren't difficult but many had struggled because they thought they were being set up for a trap. I will prove to them that I am not the traitor that they see me as; that I deserve to be in this country just as much as they do. Stay strong and do everything they tell you. I know it's tough to wake up every morning in a place where you know you don't belong but in the end it will be worth it. I miss you; I miss the sound of your voice. I long for the days when our life together was pleasant and joyful. I will fight for you, for our family. Soon we will be together again.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina
I have received the opportunity to join the United States army in the Women's Army Corps. The loyalty test was tough but I managed to pass. There were two questions which weren't difficult but many had struggled because they thought they were being set up for a trap. I will prove to them that I am not the traitor that they see me as; that I deserve to be in this country just as much as they do. Stay strong and do everything they tell you. I know it's tough to wake up every morning in a place where you know you don't belong but in the end it will be worth it. I miss you; I miss the sound of your voice. I long for the days when our life together was pleasant and joyful. I will fight for you, for our family. Soon we will be together again.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina
September 12, 1944
There's not much I can tell you about my work, it's highly classified and we are in great amounts of danger. I've learned new things through my experiences. The long hours will soon be worth it. We have traveled to London and are working in the Theatre of Operations. There are many of us all here to serve our country. Sure this isn't what I had planned for my life but it will have to do. Every day I hope that I really am contributing to the end of this war. I want to make a difference but most importantly I want to be with you. Hopefully the war will be over soon and I can return home where we can continue our peaceful life were it left off.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina
There's not much I can tell you about my work, it's highly classified and we are in great amounts of danger. I've learned new things through my experiences. The long hours will soon be worth it. We have traveled to London and are working in the Theatre of Operations. There are many of us all here to serve our country. Sure this isn't what I had planned for my life but it will have to do. Every day I hope that I really am contributing to the end of this war. I want to make a difference but most importantly I want to be with you. Hopefully the war will be over soon and I can return home where we can continue our peaceful life were it left off.
Yours Truly,
Oka Rina