Emphasizing the stories of many Long Island war heroes, Massapequa author Dr. Salvatore LaGumina sheds light on the extensive patriotic efforts of Italian-American soldiers in his lecture, "The Humble and the Heroic," to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fortunoff Hall Ballroom at Dowling's Rudolph Campus in Oakdale.

Dr. LaGumina will tell poignant stories that reveal what went on within families behind the headlines of World War II. This event is part of Dowling's year-long series of events, "Celebrating Long Island."

This thought-provoking talk will focus on the idea that an extra measure of loyalty and patriotism was required of Italian immigrants during World War II because their ancestry was of a nation pitted against us on the battlefield. Dr. LaGumina will spark the audiences' hearts and minds with the travails of humble Italian-Americans who fought for freedom.

Dr. Salvatore LaGumina is professor emeritus of history and director of the Center for Italian-American Studies, Nassau Community College.

He is also author/editor of 17 books and several dozen articles. These include: The Italian-Americans: An Encyclopedia; From Steerage to Suburb, Long Island Italians; and Wop, A Documentary History of Anti-Italian Discrimination.

The Celebrating Long Island series is made possible through the generous support of the Gardiner Foundation.