Beginners and visitors welcome!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Genealogical Society of North Orange County
presents
EVELYN BERG EMPIE
World War II:
A Philippine Experience
Evelyn Berg Empie was 9 years old on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Hours later, they also bombarded Manila, her birthplace.
Her family and countrymen suffered the subsequent invasion and occupation by the Japanese army. Food was scarce, disease rife. Civilians routinely were slaughtered in the street for the slightest infraction.
Manila was one of the most heavily damaged cities in World War II, second only to Warsaw. The city itself was virtually razed. An estimated 3 million Philippine civilians were killed--180,000 alone during the culminating battle for Manila, more than died in the nuclear holocausts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined.
Evelyn and her son, Stephen Mette, have written a book documenting her wartime experiences, "A Child in the Midst of Battle--One Family's Struggle for Survival in War-Torn Manila." Described as "emotionally searing", the book views the war through the eyes of a 10 year old girl, tempered by an adult's maturity and perspective.
7:00 p.m.: Business meeting (really short!)
7:15 p.m.: Program (really interesting!)
At the end: Refreshments (really tasty!)
Yorba Linda Community Center
4501 Casa Loma Avenue (at Imperial Highway)
Yorba Linda
For additional information, please call 714-996-9511