South Salem 98-Year-Old Firefighter Earns Statehouse Honors

SOUTH SALEM, NY — A longtime first responder earned a big honor from an elected leader at a special ceremony this weekend.

New York State Senator Pete Harckham honored John Waldie Gullen with a Senate Proclamation for his 81 years of service as a volunteer firefighter in the South Salem Fire Department during a special ceremony at the department’s annual "Inspection Dinner" on Saturday.

"Waldie Gullen deserves our gratitude and appreciation for his loyal service as a firefighter, soldier and stalwart community supporter," Harckham told those gathered. "His heroism and leadership stand as an example to us all."

"Gullen," who is known by his middle name, will turn 99 years old in November. He joined the South Salem Fire Department in 1942, and as part of the "Greatest Generation," enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served as an infantryman in Europe, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

After returning home from the war, Gullen opened a deli in Cross River called 5th Division Market and later had a successful career owning and renting real estate. He is a founding member of the Lewisboro Lions Club.