Clark and Akiko Hewitt
Many Japanese war brides gave up their special identities and all but disappeared into American society. Especially in small towns and rural communities, the goal was to blend in as best they could. In a sense, Akiko Hewitt was no exception. Nearly from the day she arrived, she was intent on becoming a true American. But the Hewitts also stood out. For one thing, they had eight children. But this is more than a story about a big family. It’s about the varied identities within one family, and the culture of service to country instilled by the daughter of a Japanese military man. It’s also a story about flowers.