Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II

Without a Penny in my Pocket is a moving personal account by Marie S. C. Castro who was born and raised on the Island of Saipan in what is now the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. her story begins in the 1930s when the Northern Mariana Islands were a part of the Japanese Empire. Castro describes her early childhood in a traditional, clost knot Chamorro family at a time when island life revolved around the farm, family and trh Catholic church. The warmth and security of her family life contrasted sharply withe the harsh discipline she experienced while attended elementary school taught by strict Japanese teachers. Castro's peaceful life was interruptyed by the outbreak of World War II during which Saipan became a bloody battleground fought over by Japanese and American forces.^ Castro recounts the terrifying three weeks during which her family, short of food and water and under constant bombardment, moved from place to place in search of safety only to be found by American troops at the very end of the battle. A few moth later, eleven-year-old Castro and other local youngsters were the guest at an American-style Christmas party hosted by the men of the 101st Naval Construction Battalion, the famed "Seabees." This joyful and exciting event was Castro's introduction to American life. Following the war, Castro dedicated herself to the Church and became a nun in the Mercederian Order. After teaching for more than a decade on Saipan, Castro started a new chapter in her life when she departed for a new assignment in Kansas City, Missouri, a journey she made without a penny in her pocket. Castro returned to secular life in the early 1970s but continued her career as a teacher in Kansas City.^ In the 1990s, she became reaquainted with ment of the 101st Seabees and began regularly attending their annual reunions during which they reflected on their wartime experiences and their very special Christmas party. Castro also laments changes to Chamorro culture resulting from modernization particularly over th past 40 years. Without a Penny in My Pocket provides a first hand glimpse of life on Saipan before and during World War II, a period of time now remembered by an ever-shrinking group of eyewitnesses. It undoubtedly will be of interest to those wishing to learn about Saipans's history as well as the strength and resilience of the Chamorro people.