Grisanti names Joseph Pasek 'Veteran of the Month'

State senator recognizes Tonawanda resident for his military service, volunteer contributions to his community

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti recently named Joseph Pasek as recipient of his "Veteran of the Month" recognition program.

A resident of the City of Tonawanda who served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, Pasek is the sixth recipient of a monthly honor presented by Grisanti following an application and nomination process coordinated by staff members in Grisanti's veterans liaison office.

"I am pleased to recognize Joseph with this honor," said Grisanti, a member of the New York State Senate's Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committees. "I commend him for his career of distinguished service, and applaud him for his work as an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter in Tonawanda, where he serves on their board of directors. His community involvement is admirable, especially what he has done over the past two years with the 'Come Fly A Kite For Homeless Veterans' event."

Pasek served from April 1968 to April 1969 as a combat medic. After being discharged, he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in the City of Buffalo, eventually retiring in 2009 after 40 years of service.

An active member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 77 in Tonawanda for the past five years, Pasek serves on its board of directors and organizes its "Orange Blossom" sales, which help to provide information about benefits entitled to veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. In the past, Pasek helped organize a town hall-style meeting that focused on the legacy of exposure to Agent Orange, which centered on compiling stories on how some children of Vietnam veterans have inherited medical problems.

Pasek, who is married and has two daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, has assisted with the "Come Fly A Kite For Homeless Veterans" for the past two years. In addition, last fall he received the "So Proudly We Hail Award" from the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club for his consistent efforts to proudly display the American flag.

For more information about Grisanti's "Veteran of the Month" recognition program, including how you can nominate someone for the honor, visit www.senatormarkgrisanti.com and click on the "Veterans" tab.