Tag: history

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War Stories from my Uncle Louie

Posted on by Joy

On December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked Pearl Harbor, sinking five battleships, destroying 188 aircraft, and killing 2355 U.S. servicemen. Four days later, the United States declared war against Japan, Germany, and Italy. My Uncle Louie was 20 years old at the time, living in Springfield, MA, and working at the Bosch plant there. He was engaged to his sweetheart, Betty, and they were planning a summer wedding. Louie Gentile married Betty in July 1942, and soon received his draft notice. No one in the family was particularly concerned about Louie being drafted. He was blind in his right Read more…

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Book Review: Unbroken

Posted on by Joy

Ever since Laura Hillenbrand’s book, Unbroken, became a movie in 2014, I’ve wanted to read it (then see the movie!). I recently found a copy on the shelf at my local library, but was almost deterred by its size. I don’t often read 400-page books, and was afraid it would take me a month to finish. I checked it out anyway, then went home and read it cover-to-cover in three days. I could not put this book down! Even though I knew how the story would end, I was in total suspense, reading frantically, and constantly wondering, “What’s going to Read more…

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The House on Hancock Street

Posted on by Joy

Antonio Gentile packed his personal belongings and left the tiny Italian village of Atena Lucana, bound for a new life in America. He arrived in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1919, and was greeted by his brother, Alfonso, who had recently emigrated as well. Antonio trained to be a machinist like his brother, and worked diligently for Van Norman Machine & Tool. He learned to speak English and became a U.S. citizen. In 1920, Rosina Mango (also from Atena Lucana) joined Antonio in America and they were married. Over the next eight years, Rose gave birth to five boys: Luigi, Alfonso, James, Read more…