Several Rockville Centre families gathered at the American Legion on Maple Avenue to take part in a heartfelt community project: making posters to honor local veterans.
The event, organized by Ninjas4Veterans and founded by Rockville Centre residents Gene and Anne Vassel, brought together 92 students from more than 50 families, along with volunteers, to show appreciation for those who have served in the U.S. military.
Tables were covered with poster boards, markers, and bags of candy as children and parents worked side by side to create colorful “Thank you for your service – Happy Veterans Day” signs. During the event, guest speaker Michael F. O’Leary, a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Navy, shared a few words about his experience while serving in Vietnam and expressed his gratitude to the families for supporting veterans in the community.
When the posters were complete, the young “ninjas” headed out across Rockville Centre for their annual mission. They quietly visited the homes of 99 veterans, hung the posters on front doors, left a bag of treats, rang the doorbell, and ran away—anonymously spreading Veterans Day cheer.
“It was the first time having an event at the American Legion, which is quite fitting,” said co-founder Gene Vassel. “It was a great event.”
As the event approached a decade, Ninjas4Veterans has continued to grow since its founding. The Nov. 10 event recognized the largest number of veterans so far, with 99 homes receiving posters and treats.
The idea has inspired other chapters in other areas on Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey. Each group shares the same mission of honoring veterans while raising money for organizations such as Rangers Lead the Way and Rivers to Recovery.
“It makes the veterans feel great because they’re being recognized on Veterans Day,” Gene Vassel said. “And it’s just a fun way of doing it. It’s like ghosting and booing, but for Veterans Day. It’s all around just a good time.”
Vassel said the feedback from both families and veterans has been overwhelmingly positive. Some veterans’ families have shared photos of the posters on social media, thanking the “ninjas” for their thoughtful surprise.
“Without the community, it wouldn’t be possible,” Vassel said. “It’s just great to see young people excited to appreciate and honor the veterans that are in our community.”
If you know of a veteran who would like to receive a custom poster next year, you can e-mail Gene Vassel at Ninjas4Vets@gmail.com.
