In the aftermath of the
attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pelkos receive a telegram from the Secretary of
War, confirming that
"Lieutenant Emory J. Pelko has been
missing in action at Pearl Harbor since 7 December
41."
Although Adam wants to
believe that there is still hope that his father will be found alive, he knows that, in
reality, there is no hope (Chapter
23).
After awhile, Adams mother is informed that the navy
is sending all dependent families back to the mainland. Adam is
furious;
"the
thought of leaving his father...at the bottom of Pearl
Harbor (is) too
awful."
Although he protests
vehemently to his mother, she tells him that they have no
choice. The Pelkos sail home to the mainland on a troop ship, and there
are
"no bands,
no banners, and no waving and
cheering."
The full
grim reality of war has been forced upon Adam, and he
reflects that that one fateful day, 7 December 41, has changed his
life forever. People say that Lieutenant Pelko and the others who were
lost in the attack are heroes, but Adam feels only emptiness and hurt. As the ship sails
away from Hawaii, Adam drops a lei into the water, as a symbol that he would one day
come back, and for now, he says to himself
sadly,
"Goodbye, Dad"
(Chapter 24).
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