For 90-year-old World War II veteran Carmin Yannotta, the daily activities of a retiree pale in comparison to working at The Home Depot in Lake Park, Fla.
“I played golf, but I wanted to do something more,” says Carmin, who served three years in the U.S. Army and retired from Honeywell after 20 years with the company. “At my age, I just really enjoy coming to work.”
Carmin’s work ethic is nothing new. He was the youngest of six children growing up in a small, three-room home in Summitt, N.J. He earned $2.50 a week delivering newspapers and gave every penny to his parents. During high school, he delivered milk from 1-7 a.m. so he could play on the baseball team instead of working after school. He quickly developed into an all-state player, drawing the attention of the New York Yankees.
But Carmin was drafted into the U.S. Army before he could start his professional baseball career.
He reported for duty in Norfolk, Va., shortly after graduating high school. Eventually he served in General Patton’s Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge, where so many of his comrades, including his best friend, were tragically killed.
Lately, Carmin has been overwhelmed by the local support and respect for our World War II heroes that he once felt was lost after 70 years. In May, Honor Flight flew him to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial with other veterans. And since WPTV in West Palm Beach profiled him on Victory in Europe Day, customers have been stopping by The Home Depot to thank him for his service.
“I did nothing compared to what others did for our country,” he says. “Our country would never be the same if it weren’t for the sacrifices that were made back then.”
When Carmin’s wife passed away a few years ago, his daughter suggested he return to work. She took him to The Home Depot, where he has since made countless friends as a greeter at the store. He says meeting customers is his favorite part of the job.
“I always think about how lucky I am. I’ve had a wonderful life,” he says. “And working at Home Depot has been a great chapter.”
