Interview with RoseMarie Nappa
Rob Lombardo, a Brookdale Community College student, interviews his grandmother about life before, during and after WWII.
RoseMarie Nappa
I interviewed my maternal grandmother, RoseMarie Nappa. She recounts her life as a child during WWII and the vivid images that flooded into her memory. My grandmother was born on December 11, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of Natale and Frances Passaro. Along with her three younger brothers, they lived in a tidy residential Italian, Irish, and Jewish neighborhood in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. Their neighborhood, although considered a hardworking poor section, was rich, filled with many cultures and heritages. Everyone respected each others' differences as their values and morals were all intertwined for the common goal of raising a family. World War II brought these people of different nations, cultures, and religions together to fight against the tyranny of the Axis powers, both abroad and closer to home, on the home front. Although only seven years of age when the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, she vividly remembered the home front of this country during World War II.
Robert Lombardo: When were you born?
RoseMarie Nappa: I was born on December 11, 1934.
RL: Where were you living during the war?
RN: I grew up in a three-room apartment in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York. I didn't know there was life outside this close-knit neighborhood. We didn't have any means of transportation for venturing outside our boundaries. Our extended family lived close by so there was no need for us to travel.
RL: Describe your family life.
RN: My mother was a homemaker who sewed, crocheted and knitted for some extra money or bartered her services for some bread or bakery items. My father worked as a produce distributor, a fancy name for handling the vegetables to be sold in Greenpoint, Queens to different vegetable markets. We were poor, but we ate well. I was the oldest and only girl with three younger brothers, and I was expected to not only do typical household chores, take care of my brothers, but to do well in school.
RL: How was life before the attack of Pearl Harbor?
RN: It seemed like everyone was poor. There only were levels and degrees of poorness. Although it seemed like nobody had money, life was good. The family was emphasized, and strong morals were taught. Everyone was taught hard working ideals. Surviving skills brought strong work ethics. We really didn't know we didn't live the privileged life.
RL: How old were you when Pearl Harbor occurred?
RN: I was 7 years old in 1941 when WWII broke out on 12/7/41 at Pearl Harbor. I was in the 2nd grade in public school.
RL: How did you react towards the news of the attack? What was everyone else's reaction?
RN: My brothers and I were so scared when we heard the news on the radio, there was no television back then. We were left with our own thoughts because children were seen and not heard. We didn't have discussions or communication with our parents. It seemed everyone had the same reaction of fear and terror. Fear turned into extreme patriotism in our country, and all the men were "gung-ho" about entering the war. Women began working in factories to replace the men who went to war for our country. Everyone worked together for one common goal - to keep our freedom.
RL: What was the patriotism like?
RN: The patriotism ranked very high along with God, family and country in the fight against Hitler and Nazi Germany, and Japan in the Pacific. Men were patriotic and willing to fight, unlike the Vietnam War.
RL: How did you and everyone feel about the President?
RN: The President at the time was Franklin D. Roosevelt. I was young so I really didn't know much about him during the war; but my family loved him. Everyone loved him, so I loved him. His term as President lasted 12 years.
RL: What was the draft like?
RN: Like I said earlier, all the men were "gung-ho" about entering the war. Men were drafted on a daily basis into the Armed Forces. The men were young who were drafted - I believe 18 years old. My brothers, however, were too young to be drafted, and although my father was old enough to be drafted, the fact that having a family excluded him from entering the war. He would have gone if allowed. Everyone wanted to help defend our country. It was truly an honor to be able to do this. It was just expected that everyone felt the same way - we didn't think otherwise.
RL: On the Home front, what did the women do when the men were over in Europe and in the Pacific?
RN: On the home front women were working in the jobs that were previously held by men. Many women joined the work force to work in factories, making war equipment, airplanes, etc. My mother had many friends who worked in the Brooklyn Ship Yard. They were either called "wakes" or "waves"- women in the armed forces.
RL: What were other ways people contributed to the war?
RN: There were rationing books that were given for purchasing gas, fuel, food, sugar and meats. Scrap drives were carried on for all excess and old metals. I'll never forget the huge piles of metal and scrap in the streets. Stamps for the purchase of Savings Bonds and War Bonds were sold in movies, stores, banks, etc.
RL: Since you lived in New York City, was the eastern part of the US especially under heightened security?
RN: Yes, the home front worked very hard to keep invasions from ever entering the shores of the USA. There were bunkers set up around the coast, on Sandy Hook in New Jersey, and others near Jamaica Bay, NY. They set up large nets that stretched across the harbors which could catch spying submarines. There was once a German submarine that was caught in the net.
RL: Did you have drills in school in case of an attack?
RN: In school we had air raid drills. We were taught to hide under our desks when test sirens were sounded. As I stated before, it was an extremely scary time for a child.
RL: How was the media coverage during the war?
RN: During the war, coverage was everywhere. Every night the radio would tell of the war in Europe and in the Pacific. Actors and celebrities chipped in during the war. They would either raise money or some gave their own. "Canteens," as they were called, entertained the troops overseas; one such canteen was Bob Hope. This was the first time in history we saw something like this. This kept a high morale for the troops. Audie Murphy toured the U.S. He was the highest decorated serviceman with medals to become a movie star.
RL: Did you have any family members in the war?
RN: My mother's brother was in the army. He had a desired skill that was needed not in Europe or in the Pacific, but here on the home front; he was a typist, seeing no combat. He handled correspondence from civilians to the men of honor. My husband, (my grandfather Anthony Nappa), had two uncles that were in the war. One serving in both France and Germany and the other in Germany and later in the Philippines; both came home after their service.
RL: What was Victory in Europe day like?
RN: There was marching and cheering in the street, as I distinctly remember hearing it at 5 o'clock in the morning. I was awoken by my mother and we walked to my grandmother's house a couple of blocks away. Everyone was celebrating, banging pots and pans with wooden spoons, sort of like New Year's Eve. It was exciting and scary at the same time.
RL: After the war ended, how was the feeling in America?
RN: Everyone had an extreme sense of high morale and patriotism. Everyone had the same sense of prosperity in the nation. It was a great time when the war ended. One thing that I will never forget was the discovery of the concentration camps in Europe. Everyone was horrified and wished we had entered the war earlier to help the Jewish people. It wasn't until years later that we really knew of the atrocities that occurred. It was a time in history that should not ever be forgotten. Everyone should be educated about the Holocaust. I am glad that many school districts today have incorporated into their curriculum presentations regarding the Holocaust. After hearing of the mass murders, we truly appreciated our freedom and the security of our nation even more so.
