Norwich — For more than 60 years, whenever the United States was at war, Bahria Harb Hartman would read newspapers and listen to news accounts in case of tragic announcements that would hit home for the Norwich area.

If a soldier was killed in action, Hartman would bring out her scrapbook and design a personal, custom tribute to the person, the family and the branch of the service.

Throughout World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and Iraq War — there were no Norwich fatalities in Afghanistan — Hartman paid close attention to local newspapers and TV news reports.

When a local person died, she clipped the stories and contacted the families to express her sympathy and ask if they had photos or personal mementos to contribute to her scrapbook.

“After the Iraq War, I stopped,” Hartman, now 88, said Wednesday as she was honored at Otis Library by the Connecticut Chapter of Honor and Remember. “I said, 'I quit.'”

In 2008, Hartman realized her foot-thick scrapbook of carefully laminated tributes was valuable enough to “donate somewhere.”

She chose Otis Library, where staff also realized its historical, emotional and local value.

The library had the work bound in three 4-inch thick volumes and built a wooden case to house “In Memoriam, by Bahria Harb Hartman,” in its local history section.

The lifelong labor started on Dec. 7, 1941, when Hartman was 14. Two men from Norwich, Harry Carlson and Michael Quarto, were killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Hartman gathered news stories and attached photos of the men.

She then kept track of all local military personnel killed in the war and did the same for them.

To commemorate the 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, Otis Library will host a special public program from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, displaying Hartman's work of devotion. 

She will be on hand to discuss the stories, people and her scrapbook project.

On Wednesday, the Connecticut Chapter of Honor and Remember presented its signature Honor and Remember Flag to Otis Library for preserving Hartman's work.

The organization presents personalized flags to family members of fallen military personnel and regular flags to supporting organizations, said chapter Director Kevin Gross of Pawcatuck.

Hartman's father, Private George Harb, was a World War I veteran, and Hartman said her work really is a tribute to him. Harb survived the war; his original discharge papers are laminated to a scrapbook page.

Photos of a proud-looking Harb, some wearing the signature WWI-style helmet and one with him holding the ominous, equally identifiable gas mask of the era, decorate a two-page spread.

The family resemblance to his daughter is strong.

On Wednesday she turned to a page in the Korean War section.

Hartman was working as the bookkeeper at Superior Pants Co. on Thames Street when fellow employee Everett Whalon, a presser, became an Army private bound for the Korean War. His mother, Nellie Whalon, also worked at the plant.

Hartman took dozens of photos during the going-away party for the young man, who died in the service.

“Little did I know I would be using them in this book,” she said.

Whalon's mother's poem to her son as he went away to war decorates one page.

“He was their only son,” Hartman said. “It brings tears to your eyes.”

Memorial pages are decorated with stickers of American flags, stars and figures of soldiers. Photographs are carefully framed by colorful stationery.

When Army aviator Keith Heidtman of Norwich was killed in a helicopter crash northeast of Baghdad on May 28, 2007, Hartman collected news stories of his death, funeral and local tributes and contacted his family.

She took out a razor blade and meticulously cut out an outline of the type of military helicopter Heidtman flew. “I am with you always,” she placed in lettering beneath the helicopter.

She then cut out a quarter-size photo of the soldier and placed it in the helicopter window. She did the same to insert Heidtman's photo into the round window at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, where the funeral had been held.

“Thank you so much for including my son Keith in your incredible book,” Heidtman's mother, Maureen Robidoux, wrote in a hand-written note also placed in the scrapbook. “I have seen how much work, time and care you take with your project. This has been such a hard, sad time for my family and me. Please know that we have found solace in your kindness.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday