The Gus Scutari Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6394 in Syosset honored local community leaders at the Safety Awards Ceremony on Feb. 12.
The Safety Award was given at the VFW Post to public servants in three categories: dispatcher, law enforcement, and firefighter.
Mitch Furman, post commander, said the honorees do not have to be VFW members and are nominated by their organizations.
The award ceremony is to “acknowledge community leaders, community servants,” Furman said. The annual ceremony is well attended by local leaders, he said.
Furman said the Oyster Bay and Syosset organizations merged in 2018. Since then, he said the VFW post has become “much more active in the community,” such as working with local schools for Flag Day and Memorial Day.
Nassau County Police Department Communications Bureau Operator Michael Spae received the dispatcher award. The award honors Spae’s career with the county police department, which has spanned 43 years
Nassau County Police Officer Thomas Pitts received the law enforcement award. Pitts started with the Nassau police in 2020. Before his time at the department, the VFW said he was a member of the United States Air Force.
Syosset Volunteer Fire Department Honorary Fire Chief George Wulforst received the firefighter category. Wulforst has served the department for 50 years and received its Fireman of the Year in 1974 and the John Cardinal Award for superior citizenship in 2017.
Furman said the community is “definitely supportive” of the organization’s work.
Since merging the two, Furman said the organization has grown in size.
Read More: Syosset Little League gears up for 2025 season amid park upgrades and community growth
