May 1, 2025–September 26, 2025

New York, The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute presents its exhibition designed by Polly Franchini Creativity and World War II Italian POWs in the United States, consisting of creative work made by Italian soldiers who were imprisoned by the Allied forces during World War II, with a focus on those held in the United States. These objects, often made from salvaged materials, ranged in size from a small inlaid ring to a large Catholic chapel
with a 65-foot bell tower. The exhibit is based on Dr. Laura E. Ruberto’s (Berkeley City College) research, including historical photographs, rare artefacts, written accounts, and oral testimonies. Dr. Ruberto co-curated the exhibition along with the Calandra Institute’s Dr. Joseph Sciorra.

On view Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. The Calandra Institute is located at 25 West 43rd St, 17th floor, in New York City

Take me out of here! This pin gun flare behind your ear will blow your nose from this end. Drive asshole! Now, that we are clear of your black pajama cowboy boyfriends, let’s get real. You were setting me up.

Take me to the address on the paper I gave you. You wanted those cowboys to kill me and take my money. Well, asshole you picked the wrong guy. Now take me to that address or I will blow your head off and steal your taxi. I’m staying in Saigon tonight.

I remember getting out of the cab with pounding in my chest. Fearful and pumped. I was trying to meet up with my special bar girl. Her name is Mya, or at least that is what I call her at the bar. She takes good care of me. The bar girls are our main source of bought affection. Mya is my favorite. She is older, maybe twenty-eight. She supplies affection and tending for money. All the bar girls smell good and flirt with us. When you are thousands of miles from round eyed girls your age, Vietnamese bar girls are very desirable. They are in the war also. They sell their bodies for money to survive. Women have few legit jobs in the city. They make their money off G.I.s. that get time off and can get into Saigon. American CIA and government officials do not indulge in bar girls. They are big time. Most have a Vietnamese girl friend that they maintain in high style. I bet they do not write home about those arrangements…