Place and Time

During World War II, Lillian followed John to his duty station at Adak, Alaska. Adak is a tiny atoll with a deep volcanic harbor that could reportedly hold almost the entire Pacific fleet during the war. The weather was ghastly; Lillian’s job on Adak was to go out every morning and count the empty slabs where Quonset huts had blown away in the night. While they were there, John helped to plant these 33 spruce trees as a morale boost for the troops. The sign reads, “You are now entering and leaving the Adak National Forest.” John and Lillian swore the trees shrank over time.

Two more views of Adak landscapes, including part of the bay. Note the complete absence of trees!