Carol Jose passed away

 What a year!

I read right now a post written by the family of Carol Josè a writer and journalist located in Florida. It says:

Carol, Mom, Aunt Carol,

Meme

Your mortal form has left us, but your spirit still survives. For when we count, and wish, and dream

the things that mean the most

are love, loyalty and laughter

of the ones we hold so close.

We know from this day forward we will miss

you more and more

But we will keep you close within our hearts, and

we'll remember

when you carried the flag for so many, brought joy and made us laugh.

And that, iur fearless friend, is the finest epitaph.

Carol was born on March 8 1937 and died on Dec 8th 2020

OK. Carol

entered in my existence when I started to be curious about the Partisan band located in my territory during the last World War Conflict, the San Faustino one. Being a reporter this one is a theme dear in the territory.

This band saved an American consul, Walter W. Orebaugh from the enemy and Orebauch, once returned in the USA, asked to a journalist, Carol José of writing with him the story of his adventures in Umbria, during the war and what happened to him and the rest of the band. 

Carol was incredibly happy when I asked for an interview. 

At first, she confessed me, she was skeptical regarding this story, but when the consul started to tell her this story in a restaurant, during a dinner, she asked the permission of leaving for later returning with a recorder all enthusiast for what the consul was telling her.

They wrote The Consul or Guerrilla in Stripped Pants in two years and that book has been maybe the most beautiful tribute to all the partisans and our land, Umbria.

My correspondence with Carol continued; we exchanged often e-mails. She also introduced me at Heliane Metzger, the daughter of a friend of the consul Orebaugh.

Later she decided to afford again in the town of Pietralunga. The ex mayor of the town Furio Benigni like also Luca Sborzacchi, the mayor of that years, were absolutely thrilled! 

The arrival of Carol would have meant another big reunion of partisans and the possibility of celebrating again and again the liberation of our lands from Nazis and fascists.

Once returned in the USA Carol tried in several ways of contacting people in the cinema for a movie based on this story. Carol told me that yes, there was a project, and an American director visited our places in 2000 but then September 11 changed the priorities of the movie industry.

Years ago Carol participated at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in North Carolina, section "Why-War"and there she met Martin Scorsese. Carol donated to the famous director a copy of The Consul. She also participated at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, she lived in Melbourne Beach, Florida where she was  the correspondent of the Florida Today. Carol visited Italy the first times in 1994 and 1997, assisting at the feast of i Ceri, once. 

She had met our bandit priest, don Marino Ceccarelli several times. "Oh, yes! He is a man in love for fresh air and open spaces;" what Carol wished the most, for remembering don Marino was this: planting a tree in his honor with a bench for permitting to the people some moments of relaxation close to the beautiful umbrian countryside.

To all the family my deepest condolences

Anna Maria Polidori