Bob Abate is a Fordham University alumni and veteran that interviewed over one hundred World War Two combat veterans. They fought at Pearl Harbor, D-Day, the Bulge, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and many other engagements. Besides interviewing the veterans, Abate became friends with them and even assisted a few of them with getting their high school diplomas. He also helped get Tyrone Pannell (a track star that was killed during the Vietnam War) inducted into the Manhattan University Hall of Fame.
At the Yonkers Public Library, we had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Abate. In his interviews, he recalls the experiences of veterans during World War Two, getting Tyrone Pannell inducted into the Manhattan University Hall of Fame and the friendships that he forged with veterans. You can listen to Abate's series of interviews on the Yonkers Public Library digital archive.
Abate will be giving a presentation at the event Yonkers: World War Two American Heritage City on May 17th.
We hope to see you there!
Michael Walsh is an Adult Services Librarian at the Will Library. He is currently reading The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.