For generations of Butlerites since the Battle of the Pacific in World War II the name Sgt. Abie Abraham has been synonymous with the infamous Bataan Death March. While fighting a hopeless battle and surviving two and a half years of inhuman imprisonment Stg. Abraham showed the noblest human qualities. He was the only soldier who fought on Bataan to see the final Japanese surrender.
You have received many honors, Abie, but there is no Medal of Honor that can represent our pride or render adequate gratitude to you for the valiant spirit you have left us to emulate.
17 comments:
I met Mr. Abraham only once at his home. I knew his sons Philip and Mike. I knew Philip when he was studing to be a doctor. We all hung out at Ron's Exxon on Brady St. Bob M
I hear that Sgt. Abraham does a lot of volunteer work and gives lectures. Amazing man.
Let Abie know about our little tribute in the blog, Ginger, and give him respectful regards from Charles Cingolani. He might have known my father.
Yesterday the cable Militay Channel did a story featuring Abie. It is a heart wrenching but fascinating account of his experience. I think the title was "March on Cubanataun"?
Hello Jim. . . Have a look at Abi's website at
http://ghostofbataan.com/
or E-mail him personally at
wolf12@nb.net
Good luck with your project!
August 26, 2006
Brook County Public Library in Wheeling, West Virginia is opening a W.W.II Museum.
The centerpiece of the collection was donated Saturday, as Abe Abraham, now 93, presented the library his authentic Japanese officer’s sword, which was given to him after the Imperial Army unit’s surrender.
For more on this story click here.
Abie Abraham should have some kind of memorial in Butler. Hard to believe the local VFWs haven't done this, or maybe I am missing something.
Most of my nine Gamble uncles fought in WWII and all of them told me of Butler son Abie as one of their heroes. Uncle Cliff Gamble was captured by the Germans, escaped and was shot and recaptured.
So I have a personal interest in Abies horrendous experiences. I am proud to say I am from the same town as Abie.
Dick Gamble just sent me this photo of Abe Abraham and the surrendered Japanese soldiers. To view click here.
Thanks, Dick.
It was a nice surprise to see my uncle in your blog. He is still active with the Butler VA Hospital volunteering there. He also has his own web site.He has written two books on his experiences. Thank you for including him.
ABIE,I WORK WITH YOU AT THE BUTLER VA MEDICAL CENTER AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE ESCORTING DEPARTMENT,I SALUTE YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST YOU.BUT I SURELY DONT.I LOVE WORKING WITH UOU AND RETURNING MY SALUTE WHICH I DONT NEED BUT YOU NEED THEM ALL WHOEVER WEARS A UNIFORM.I THANK GOD FOR WORKING WITH A FINE GENTLEMAN AS YOURSELF AND ENJOYING YOUR FRIENDLY SMILES EVERYMORNING COMING INTO THE VA.AND GREETING THOSE VETERANA LIKE THERE YOUR OWN CHILDREN.THE MEN TODAY WISH THEY WERE JUST LIKE YOU,I KNOW I DO,GOD SPEED YOUNG MAN,SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND THE FAMILY OF ESCORTS RIGHT ABOVE YOU,WE ALL LOVE YOU.ROBERT
On the 9-11-2007 anniversary Butler Twp help a special service. There was a Flag Pole dedication and the guest of honor was Abie Abraham.
Butler Twp has a park and the entrance drive was dedicated to Abie. I have known Abie for many years. He is a member of the same American Legion that I belong to. He has been a member for 62 years now. It was wonderful to be apart of the Abie celebration. He received many awards and letters and even got one from the President. He is still going strong at the VA with over 33 thousand volunteer hours.
[from a letter from a reader-- posted by Charles]
I have had the honor to know retired Sgt Maj Abie Abraham for many years. He has three daughters, in their 70's, no sons, but nephews and grandsons and grand daughters and lots of cousins. Abie is the last survivor of his immediate family, out of 10 siblings and himself. He retired from the US Army with 30 years service. After Bataan and the Philippines, he was a recruiter and then stationed a few more years in Germany. He is now 95 soon to be 96, he has over 37,000 volunteer hours at the Butler, PA Veterans Administration Medical Center. In Feb-Mar. 2009 Abie was a patient there with pneumonia. He is doing much better now and appreciated all thew cards and letters. The only book that he has availale currently and authored, OH GOD WHERE ARE YOU?, elling for $22.95 which includes Shipping and handling and will be autographed by Abie. You can order from his website. www.ghostofbataan.com
Not only was Abie a POW for 3 yrs, but he stayed behind and disinturred the bodies of those in the Philippines who gave their lives in WWII, he saw that they got proper graves, many are in the Manilla Cemetery I & II. bie is still serving our Veterans today. God bless him. Chris Wolf
Abie just got married again - at age 96! What a guy!
Joey would like to ask you if you knew a Henry Foster who was in the air force and was also a POW in WWII. Mr. Foster grew up in Rochester PA and later had an antique shop in Wexford PA on Wexford Bayne Rd. I am trying to find some information on him and I am hoping you can help me. Thank you for your kindness. God Bless You and your family
All this time, my teacher taught us about what happenned in WWII. recently I'm really curious about it so I keep searching about the bataan death march, and makes me so proud to my fellow filipino and the american soldier to fight the japanese to defend my country. Mr. Abie Abraham thank you is not enough but thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, I wish I can meet you and shake your hand. Wish you good health and blessed longgg life. I salute you and all the brave soldier who risk their lives on the WWII!!
Seven years late, but I just found this website, and it's directed towards the very first comment-Judy. I believe Michael, Phillip, Rodney, and Chuck, were Abies nephews, not his children.
Does anyone know when Abi graduated from BHS?
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