We arrived in Topaz on September 17, 1942 and endured “camp life” in Block 12, Barrack 12, Unit E. We were among the earlier arrivals in Topaz. I believe this was the case because of my father’s leadership position in the community.
In early 1943 came the beginning of our deliverance. My sister, who was an outstanding student at Topaz High, was informed that she had been awarded a full scholarship to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Her scholarship was made possible by the National Student Relocation Council, which was an NGO organized by leading college presidents under the auspices of the Quakers in Philadelphia. Rhoda’s sponsor was a Vassar alumna from Los Angeles whose husband was a federal judge who had previously been a lawyer for the ACLU.
After seeing Rhoda off to Vassar in early September 1943, my mom was determined to leave Topaz as soon as possible to be nearer to Rhoda. My father had a sister-in-law, Dr. Megumi Shinoda, whose father, Dr. Minosuke Yamaguchi, was a physician in New York City about 75 miles from Poughkeepsie. He was willing to sponsor us.
My oldest brother Dwight and my dad were the next to leave. Dwight later told us what a great laugh he got when he and dad boarded the train in Delta. The conductor asked the two of them, “Are you boys joining the Army?” They were trying to get to New York in time to enroll Dwight in high school for the spring semester of 1944. That paid off as Dwight completed high school in New York and earned a scholarship to Harvard.
Mother, Jonathan and I left Topaz in March 1944. The government gave us one-way tickets and $25 per person and let us go. We were finally free!