A New Day to Commemorate

Surprisingly, a lot of people were able to find and read my story! I'm so excited because now all of these people have agreed on commemorating the memories of the night in 1942. I wonder if anyone is alive from this time and went to the night club or even was present during the fire. I can't wait to see what happens; maybe this day will become a official holiday! Anyway, I'm eager to see what happens in the future. Well then, until next time everyone! Sayonara!!

January 29, 1943: Two months after the Tragedy

I’ve seen the Woods’ once every week since Rose was killed. The scene and the sight of Rose crawlin' out of the club still haunts me. I ain't fully healed, but each day I have begun to feel a little bit lighter.

When I go to the Woods’ home, Rose’s mother always welcomes me with a warm hug. I can see how her an' Rose’s father have been strugglin' these past few months, but I know that my visits invigorate them to continue on with their lives. I also find time to play with Willy to remind him that he still has a whole life to look forward to.

The fire has put a whole in my heart me and I know I will never forget it. Rose was one of many people who died or who was injured that night. It’s hard to know how this tragic event affected many people, but I do know that I now have a guardian angel watchin' over me.




This is a Memorial in honor of the people who died.

December 2, 1942: Day of the Funeral

As I sit on my bed, wearin' my black dress, I don't want to go to her funeral. I am too grummy and to torn up from the rest of the world to be consoled. These past four days have been torture for me, and my mind is filled with memories from the fire at the Nightclub. After just recently learning that a 16-year-old boy accidentally started the conflagration, my heart aches even more because Rose would still be alive if I had known that the club was goin' to be burned down.

As my family and I enter the funeral home, I jitter, but try to stay composed. My mother holds my hand and walks me down to the casket for the kiss off. On the way down the aisle, my family meets Rose’s parents and we reach out to them. When the funeral service starts, I try to block myself out from the crowd. After a little while, Willy, Rose’s 8-year-old brother holds my hand and I put my arm around him. At that moment I realize how strong I need be in order to get through this day. Soon it is my turn to speak; I close my eyes for a few seconds and then walk by Rose’s casket on the way to the podium.

And I begin, “Rose Joyce Wood died in a tragedy that she could not escape from, but the memories she left us are still here. Rose was the only person who I understood, and who understood me. We were always there to comfort each other when we were feelin' low an' even though she is not here anymore, I know she will always be watching over me. My guardian angel, rest in peace”

November 29, 1942: Night of the Fire

I never expected after her 22nd birthday, it would be the last time I would speak to Rose at the Cocoanut Nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts.



It all started when, Frankie Payne, the singer in the club for many years and made a lot of dough, was gettin' ready to perform the Star Spangled Banner. All of a sudden around 10:30 PM, my dear friend Rose screamed, “A FIRE!”




At first I started to chuckle and thought she was nuts because Rose was always known as a jolly joker. But then as I glanced behind her, I saw about 25 people runnin' in our direction. I was dazed and confused. And then I saw it; the blaze was like an orange and red cloth mixed with a thick, black smoke. The fire pranced and viciously spread within the room and consumed all in its path. I shudder just rememberin' it.

I can still hear the din from the people runnin' toward me. But most of all, I cannot forget the look on Rose’s face; the crowds shrieks did not block out her reaction. She broke out into tears that hurriedly rolled down her terrified face. Before thinkin' twice, I grabbed Rose’s arm and headed to an emergency exit. I had been to the Cocoanut clip joint a lot and knew of another door to mooch on out.

It was almost impossible to get through the crowd because everyone was runnin' for their lives. I figured I'd motion as many people as possible to follow me in an effort to lead them to safety. But to my horror, my grasp started to slip off Rose’s small hand. She noticed too an' tried pushin' her way back to me. The smoke filled my lungs and drowned me. I struggled and fought back with all my might. When I finally reached the back door, it was locked. I panicked knowin' that there was no time to make everyone turn around and follow me out another way.

I yelled for someone to help out and two men helped me break down the door. We threw ourselves into the door and finally pounded it open. I remember dark smoke followin' us out of the building as firemen and policemen hurried toward us.



One police officer came to me with a blanket, but I turned away looking for Rose. Where is she? I turned toward the back door of the club but I couldn’t see her. My eyes searched the survivors in hopes of finding her. Where is she?! I asked myself again, and grew more anxious as people ran out of the club. Where is she?!!

A Day to Reminiscence

I was cleaning my grandmother's basement a few weeks ago and came across a newspaper that had the headlines, "FIRE AT THE COCOANUT NIGHTCLUB." I didn't realize my grandmother, originally from Boston, still kept her old newspapers, but this particular one had a picture of a girl a few years older than me. Under her picture, there was a caption that said "22 year old girl- killed in nightclub fire, turn to pg. 3 for more of the story..." I got the courage to ask my grandmother about the girl who died. I didn't see it coming, but that girl ended up being my grandmother's best friend. I felt a sharp pain in my heart and couldn't imagine losing my best friend. So after finding out some research online about the scene of the fire, I decided to preserve the newspaper, so not to forget about the terrible catastrophe and put it in my blog. There were a few people who died in the fire and many others who were badly injured. This story will help preserve the memory of those whose live were changed forever. I updated pictures from the night of the fire and relating to scenes from the rest of the story.

Rest in Peace to all of those who died or who lost loved ones during the night of this disaster.