Veteran’s Day is an opportunity to recognize those in our communities who risked their lives, health, and future for the good of the many. Our veterans deserve the opportunity to share their stories and receive support as they endure the everyday challenges of life in addition to struggles unique to military service, including PTSD, debilitating health, and compatriot loss.
According to the Westchester County Veterans Service Agency, there are 100,000 veterans representing all periods of conflict living in the county. These men and women are just some of the millions of Americans who have served their country in the armed services.
This Saturday, November 11 is Veterans Day. In 1919, Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 Armistice Day to commemorate those who served in World War I. It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1938 commemorating veterans of that war. Veterans Day as we know it formally began in 1954, and after the service of American soldiers in World War II and Korea, November 11 became a day to honor veterans of all wars.
Local veterans organizations organize parades to honor the service men and women nationwide. The American Legion Ernest Pasqua Post #1506, a local post of one of the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organizations, often organizes community events to support the veterans of our community. Together with a local Cub Scout Troop, they are currently collecting donations for military care packages until December 9.
The Yonkers Public Library Archive has several interviews with World War II veterans like Alex Strohmeyer, Frank Fortuna, Stan Bernstein and Bill Moye. There is also an interview with Robert Abate, who describes the process of inducting Tyrone Pannell, a Marine Lieutenant who was killed in Vietnam, into the Manhattan College Hall of Fame and meeting Tyrone's daughter. This experience and getting to know World War II veterans moved him to interview two hundred World War II veterans.
Michael Walsh from the Will Library conducted all of these interviews.
If you want to support the troops and veterans in Yonkers, visit the Department of Veterans’ Service website. Be sure to check out some of these book recommendations as well to learn more about the experience of service men and women throughout our nation’s history. Be sure to ask a librarian if you’re looking for a more specific recommendation.
All YPL locations will be closed Saturday, November 11th in observance of Veterans' Day.
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She is pursuing an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.
Michael Walsh is an adult services librarian at the Will Library.
Natalie Varker is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library.
