July 20, 2005 Naomi: Hi Barbara, I am writing a book on New Britain during World War 2, I would like to interview you as part of the book. Barbara: Of course! Come on over. Our family are close with the Sokol family. [Sokol was Naomi's maiden name] Naomi: I am so glad that we could get together after all these years. I am trying to contact all the people that once worked at my father's coat factory and people that our family knew. Barbara: I am happy if I can help in any way. Yes, Mom sewed for your father's factory six days a week, from 7am to 6pm as all the factory did in those days. You do remember of course that I was also the manager of the Sokol outlet after the war. Naomi: How could I forget, you worked for my oldest brother David.

Naomi: I didn't know you could keep a diary during the war. Barbara: That's true. When Carmen died in an auto accident a buddy of his brought it to me. He told me how Carmen would write late at night under a blanket with a flashlight. Naomi:The diary you gave me turned out to be a book Barbara. Now I would like to interview you about yours and Carmen's childhood. Barbara: That's fine with me. Naomi:Tell me about your parents...

Barbara: Both of my parents were born in Italy. My father Vincent Franceschelli was born in Abruzzi and my mother Rachel D'Agosino was born in Salerno. I am the middle child of three. Anthony was the oldest, then me and last but not least, baby Carmen. We all lived through the great Depression. Naomi: What was family life like in the war years? Barbara: We had a large garden, plus fruit trees. We didn't have a car as most people used buses then. We managed with meat and dairy coupons. We had huge family dinners during the holidays of twenty-five or more. On Sunday, Dad insisted we all eat together since during the week we would eat before he got home from his barber shop. Naomi: I am like you in that way. My father came from Poland and we lived in the Depression.  Now tell me what Carmen was like as a person.

Naomi: Tell me more about his likes and talents. Barbara: My uncle Joe taught him to play the clarinet and saxophone. Carmen loved jazz. He was kind, funny, and talented. What I remember most about Carmen was how good he was to his parents and to his brother and me. Naomi: When did he go into the Navy? Barbara: Carmen enlisted as he said, "He wanted to see the world," at the time he was working as a draftsman for the Corbin Screw Factory in New Britain, "The Hardware City of the World." This was in 1944. Naomi: Where did he serve?

Naomi: How did you keep in touch with him? Barbara: I wrote him almost every day. Mother baked each week and would ship off food to him. He shared it with his many buddies. Mail was their life-line and we knew it. Naomi: I was moved as I read Carmen's Diary over and over again. Barbara: I am happy that Carmen's Diary is being published so people can better understand the emotional costs of a war. With this diary, perhaps we can do a better job of understanding the effect of the experience. And since Carmen died young, this book at least enlarges the life he had and others that served with him. Naomi: Amen. God Bless America!

(Carmen was serving as a postal clerk when he died at the young age of 33 in Florida)

(Please click on image to visit official U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12) website!)

For info on purchasing the book, contact Naomi Sokol Zeavin

"I'll Be Seeing You" by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Irving Kahal Sung by Bing Crosby