WWII documentary screening a success with 154 in attendance

LW HISTORICAL SOCIETY

by Margaret Gillon

Leisure World Historical Society President

The Leisure World Historical Society’s “Trapped in Paradise” documentary screening held on March 12 in Clubhouse 4 was a fun history event and well attended. Historical Society officers Margaret Gillon, Linda Johnson and Carole Damoci were all present to assist with the event. When author Maureen Habel asked how many people in the audience had family members who served in WWII, more than 80% of the audience raised their hands, including the Historical Society officers.

In spite of the rain, 154 people showed up to watch this documentary of four nuns trapped on the Solomon Islands, which were occupied by the Japanese during WWII. After many months of hiding in the jungles, the nuns escaped the Japanese with the help of an Australian soldier, Jack Reed, and the submarine USS Nautilus.

The documentary is based on the book of the same name, “Trapped in Paradise,” by LW resident Maureen McNerney Habel and Sister Eileen McNerney. It was published in 2016, the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing.

Both authors were present for a question-and-answer session after the documentary, which lasted 45 minutes.

Residents who missed the documentary can watch it for free online. Go online to pbs.org and search for “Trapped in Paradise” or go to youtube.com and search for “Trapped in Paradise Nuns.” Residents can also watch the documentary on the guest computers in the library but they must bring their own headphones/earbuds to use as the library doesn’t provide headphones. Inexpensive earbuds can be purchased at the Dollar Tree. Those interested in reading the book can purchase it at Amazon.com or in-person at bookstores. The Leisure World Library also has copies that can be checked out by residents.