Daniel Vavas

Daniel Vavas served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. He achieved the rank of Specialist 4.

Born in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, Mr. Vavas graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1965, and then continued his studies at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus.

In the summer of 1967, as the conflict in Vietnam was escalating, Mr. Vavas was drafted to serve in the Army. He began with Basic Training in Leesville, Louisiana, and then went on to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was trained in Telecommunications, Radio Operations and Repair. Prior to his deployment to Vietnam, Mr. Vavas returned to Brooklyn for a brief time to serve at Fort Hamilton Army Base and Fort Wadsworth Military Installation on Staten Island.

Once deployed to Vietnam, Mr. Vavas served an extended tour defending our great Nation. He was assigned to a U Boat (LCU) patrolling the waterways of the Mekong Delta. Mr. Vavas was honorably discharged in 1969 and has remained a proud member of the American Legion since his return.

Returning to Brooklyn, Mr. Vavas started a career as an insurance agent. He also became involved in the Bay Ridge, Brooklyn community as a columnist contributor to the Brooklyn Spectator newspaper. Throughout his professional career, he earned numerous awards, served on national industry advisory boards, and was selected as Insurance Agent of the Year in 1989. Mr. Vavas retired from insurance in 1998.

Mr. Vavas was actively involved in the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the Board of Trustees in various capacities, including Vice President. He was also a Cub Scout Leader of Pack 715 for nine years. In 1999, Mr. Vavas was honored by the Boy Scouts of America and received the Good Scouter Award.

He is a recipient of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, Prophet Elias Award for his dedication to Orthodox Scouts. He also served as President of the Brooklyn Council of the Boy Scouts of America as the lead volunteer in Brooklyn. He is very proud of his two sons for becoming Eagle Scouts.

Mr. Vavas and his wife, Sue, a retired NYC public school teacher, have been married for 50 years. They enjoy spending time with family, friends and especially their four grandchildren.