Letter: In 1943, our graduation was interrupted by war

Posted 5/28/20

This is regarding the high school senior class of 2020. The heartbreak is there.We realize the frustration you are experiencing.

The graduating Class of 1943 went through a bad ordeal. We were …

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Letter: In 1943, our graduation was interrupted by war

Posted

This is regarding the high school senior class of 2020. The heartbreak is there.We realize the frustration you are experiencing.

The graduating Class of 1943 went through a bad ordeal. We were in the midst of World War II. The boys in our class were scheduled to leave before graduation day. They were drafted.

Luck be had it, they did graduate, but had to leave the next day. Consequently, we had to have our reception the same day as Graduation Day. Our banquet was cancelled. Everyone was rationed. There was no pleasure driving. We walked to the exercises and reception.

We had stamps for gas, clothing and food. Later, upon going to work, I would see the draftees in front of Delekta’s Pharmacy in Warren, waiting to be driven away to war.

Our first classmate to be killed was Pat Raiola. So you see, we all have to bear something our lives. Cheer up, be safe. Be thankful you are here.

Val Bottigliri
Bristol

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.