IN THE NEWS
John Vasser Sr.
John P. Vasser Sr. of Nyack, right, received the 2010 Buffalo Soldier Award during a ceremony Friday at the Allison-Parris Rockland County office Building in New City. County Legislator William Darden, left, spoke of Vasser's accomplishments. (Vincent DiSalvio/The Journal News)
NEW CITY — An Army veteran with a long history of service to his country and his community has been named the recipient of this year's Rockland County Buffalo Soldier Award.
John P. Vasser Sr., 78, who was wounded in the Korean War, was honored Friday for his contributions to the nation and to his fellow veterans.
"You demonstrate for all of us what is important, and how important it is, and how it's good to be an American citizen who fought for the democracy that we so love," said Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. "And (you) came back in fact and fought for a community so that it might be better," Vanderhoef said. "You are a hero for us and we thank you so much." Vanderhoef presented Vasser with a plaque as his wife, Doris, looked on during a ceremony that drew at least two dozen well-wishers to the Allison-Parris County Office Building. The couple has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Vasser said he appreciated the award and, showing the spirit that helped make him this year's choice, said he wanted everyone to know that "We as veterans will become a partnership with all the organizations."
After the ceremony, Vasser said he and other veterans stood ready to work with fraternities , sororities, nursing homes, schools and others as mentors, to share their military service experiences and any other task put before them.
The Nyack man served in the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, where he held the rank of sergeant. He served a 14-month combat tour in Korea from 1951 to 1952. Vasser said he was on patrol in Korea when he stepped on a land mine and was hit with shrapnel in his leg, neck, back and eyes. He suffered shrapnel wounds twice more during his service, he said.
He didn't receive a Purple Heart medal, given to those in military service who are killed or wounded in action, until 2008. Vasser told The Journal News in 2008 that bureaucratic red tape and lost documentation contributed to his lengthy wait. Vasser served in the Army Reserve from 1953 to 1955, as a standby Army reservist from 1956 to 1976 and in the New York National Guard from 1976 to 1993. He earned an associate's degree from Rockland Community College in 1976, and a bachelor's degree from Lehman College in 1979. He also completed numerous self-enrichment college classes. Vasser is a member of the Elks Club, a volunteer counselor with United Hospice of Rockland and an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Nyack.
Jerry Donnellan, director of the Rockland Veteran Services Agency, said Vasser was also a dedicated member of the Rockland County Eagle Chapter of the Korean War Veteran's Honor Guard. Members attend the funerals of veterans, among other important functions, Donnellan said, standing graveside even in the coldest temperatures. Dan Zevola, president of the Eagle Chapter, said Vasser had given much to the veterans' organization, both in terms of his time and his service. "Without John being there, there would be a void of some humor, some activity and definitely a missing person," Zevola said.
County Clerk Paul Piperato, whose office offers special programs to support veterans, said Vasser was an example of how involved many veterans are as they conduct toy drives, visit fellow veterans in hospitals and put together care packages for those now fighting in war. "They didn't come home from the war and sit back and watch life pass by," Piperato said. "They partake. They're active members of our Rockland County community."
