North Hempstead banners are a reminder of local veterans' service

When Justin Vasek was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2022, he returned to Long Island feeling lost.

"It was pretty tough adjusting to how everything works on the outside world," Vasek, 26, said. "You look around and you kind of don't feel like anybody relates to you."

He returned to his old job as a laborer for the Town of North Hempstead, mowing grass, shoveling snow, cleaning the pool and more across the town's parks. But soon, Vasek, of Manhasset, realized he could channel the values he learned from the Marines into his work.

"Walk tall and proud and be happy with everything that you do," he said.

Now, a reminder of Vasek's service is on display at his worksite. A banner bearing his name and photo will be hanging at one of the town's parks for most of the summer as part of North Hempstead's inaugural Hometown Heroes program. Sponsorships for the banners, which feature veterans' names, photos and information about their service, were sold by the town to residents for $125. Vasek sponsored his own banner.

Information about where the proceeds from the sales go wasn't immediately available from the town. 

"The names you will see displayed at our parks represent a special class of citizens who selflessly gave of themselves to protect the citizens of this country,” Councilwoman Christine Liu said in a statement. “It fills me with great pride that our parks will serve as local memorials, not only preserving the legacy of our heroes, but also teaching our children and our families about their sacrifices in the process."

Vasek was based in Washington state and Camp Pendleton in California. After being discharged, he broke down in tears. He had suffered a back injury and knew he wouldn't be able to serve again.

By passing on the values he learned in the military to younger park workers, he said, he keeps the memory of his service alive.

"Trying to coach the younger generation of how to respectfully and professionally move throughout your job, so that you're not just looked as the guy who cuts grass, or the guy who picks up garbage," Vasek said.

The banner will help bring Vasek a sense of satisfaction, he said.

"It's a reminder to hold myself to that standard every day," he said. "I have a lot of pride in being able to tell people I'm a Marine."

Richard DeMartino, 75, of New Hyde Park, can relate. He served in the Navy from 1969 to 1973 and was on an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. 

He went on to spend decades working in banking, but he often looks back on his years overseas. He requested his banner be hung at Clinton G. Martin Park, where he often goes for walks at night.

"I'm proud of my service to the country," DeMartino said in an interview. "It's nice to let the community know where I served." 

By Joshua Needelman

joshua.needelman@newsday.com

Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.