My story began in February 2004. I went to an antique mall near Cannery Row in Monterey, California, looking for something to wear to a WWII Valentine’s Day dance in my small town nearby. There I found treasures left behind from another lifetime, that of Rosabelle Hamann.
Hamann was a colorful character who served in the American Red Cross during WWII. Among the treasures found were her Red Cross pins, dog tags, photographs and, unbelievably, original watercolor portraits Hamann painted of the soldiers she met and cared for in New Guinea and the Philippines in 1944-45.
Upon this discovery, I suddenly realized that my life changed in a moment. I found myself on a spiritual quest, a search to find the soldiers Hamann painted nearly sixty years ago an ocean away. I wondered, what happened to the soldiers in the portraits? Who did they become? Did they make it home safely?
Setting out on faith alone, I had no idea what I would find or whom I would meet. Miraculously, I immediately found soldier Joe Settimio, still in his hometown. Joe is a true American hero, and I learned about the effects of war on his life and family, as well as the significant role Rosabelle played in his time of need. I also found three more soldiers among the twelve portraits.
This captivating adventure led me to a surprising series of events. Behind each portrait I found remarkable stories from the Greatest Generation, stories significantly relevant to those in service today. The search goes on, and my journey continues.
Visit the portrait gallery to see who has been found and whose story is still unknown.
