VIDEO FEATURES LOCAL WORLD WAR II VETS
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006
The new documentary, “Our Boys: Armenian World War II Veterans,” will
be shown in a special program on Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at
the Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown.
In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Tom Spera,
the son of a veteran of the war, was determined to find a way to
honor Armenian-American soldiers who had served their country. He
collaborated with filmmaker Roger Hagopian to produce the “Our Boys”
video, featuring oral histories interspersed with personal and
historical photographs from the wartime period.
The film’s interviewees attend the Armenian Memorial Church in
Watertown and the First Armenian Church of Belmont. These men –
some barely out of high school at the time – reflect upon the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, their induction into the service, their
harrowing journeys aboard troop transport ships through rough seas,
correspondence with their families back home, poignant and humorous
moments, and near-death experiences during combat.
Life on the home front is recalled by the wives and relatives of
the veterans. They worked for the armed services and in factories,
served as air raid wardens and plane spotters, comforted the wounded
in hospitals, and, in groups, attended USO dances, meeting soldiers
who, at a moment’s notice, could be shipped out to war.
Filmmakers Hagopian and Spera will be on hand to answer questions
and discuss the making of the video, which runs for approximately
55 minutes.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). There will be
a question and answer period and reception with refreshments following
the video.
The Armenian Library and Museum is located in Watertown Square at
the corner of Main Street and Church Street. Parking is available
behind the museum building and in adjacent areas. The event will
begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
The program will take place through the cooperation of ALMA and
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research in
Belmont. For more information, contact NAASR at 617-489-1610, or
e-mail hq@naasr.org.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress