My Grandma’s Stories of War (by Julie Berkowitz)

Pearl Harbor forever altered my Mom’s life, Visitation Carmela Salva Barnaby, a Filipina. She was only five years old when the Japanese invaded the Philippines during World War II. The entire village in a small island where her family lived, fled for their lives into the jungle. Many of them perished, young children, elders, and more. Starvation, malaria and scarlet fever killed many, and they had no medication nor food.

Over the next five years, the Filipinos (including my Grandmother, Anne Reporto Salva) assisted and guided the soldiers, Filipino guerrillas and American soldiers. The soldiers were in a hostile environment and they lacked the skills to conquer the jungle. My Mother’s family was captured twice during the war, freed by the Americans, and they kept running. They endured this scary life for 5 long years.

Grandmother brought her surviving children to the United States after the war ended. She taught us to be proud of who we are and to care for everyone. She did so herself through her hard work and dedication to the people at Cook County Hospital.

To the many lives that were impacted by these events, may God’s grace continue to watch over you. Let’s not forget these people’s sacrifices. Teach this history to the younger generations or all this will have been in vain. (By Julie Berkowitz, Will County Board and Forest Preserve Commissioner)

Family portrait of Grandma Annina Salva with young children Jennie, Victor, Joseph, Leonard, Visitation and Frankie.

Grandmother Annina Salva with her Mother, Giovanna Del Vecchio

Julie with her mother, Visitation Carmela Salva Barnaby.