Rockland Gives Spring Valley Man 2020 Buffalo Soldier Award

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland County's 2020 Buffalo Soldiers Award was given Tuesday to local veteran Ken Nurse. The Spring Valley resident, who is active in his community, retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major.

The Buffalo Soldiers Award is presented annually to an outstanding African American veteran who resides in Rockland County.

President and co-founder of the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Awardees Grady Anderson presented a history of the Buffalo Soldiers during the ceremony. "Buffalo Soldier" is the nickname first given to members of African American cavalry regiments of the U.S. Army who served in the western United States from 1867 to 1896 and were noted for their courage and discipline.

County Executive Ed Day and Director Susan Branam of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency presented the award during a special ceremony at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona.

“The freedoms we enjoy today would not be possible without the bravery of men and women who served our nation like Ken. He embodies the American spirit and dedication to service. His commitment to his family, fellow veterans and his spirit of volunteerism is a true testament to his character,” Day said.

Rockland County Legislators Harriet Cornell and Toney L. Earl also presented the Legislature’s highest award to Nurse.

“Ken Nurse has a record of dedicated service to our country and to our county,” Cornell said. “His impressive resume is testimony to his devotion, both in and out of the uniform, and he continues to make positive contributions to our community.”

Cornell and Earl, joined by Legislator Aney Paul, presented Nurse with the Distinguished Service Award, the Legislature’s highest honor, in recognition of his contributions. He was also acknowledged for his service with a proclamation declaring Feb. 12 as Buffalo Soldiers Day in Rockland County, a day that recognizes all Buffalo Soldiers and all African American veterans.

“It’s not every day you meet a genuine hero – a person ready to sacrifice everything for the good of his country,” Earl said. “Ken Nurse is such a person and he has the service record to prove it. Just as noteworthy is the fact that Commander Nurse has never forgotten other veterans and even today, works to raise awareness of the issues that concern them, including brain injuries and traumatic stress.”

Last year, the Rockland County Legislature voted to establish every Feb. 12 as Buffalo Soldiers Day in Rockland County. Feb. 12 is also the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who declared an end to slavery with his Emancipation Proclamation and his order that the Army protect escaped slaves during the Civil War. He also promoted the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which outlawed slavery across the country.

Nurse entered the Army in March of 1980 and was an active member of the Army Reserves until 1987. When he retired as a Command Sergeant Major, he had 30 years of service. During his service, he earned several commendations:

• Bronze Star Medal (1991 Kuwait/Saudi Arabia)
• Army Commendation Medal
• Armed Forces Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• South West Asia Medal
• Kuwait Liberation Medal
• NATO Medal (Bosnia/Croatia/Hungary)
• Global War on Terrorism Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Iraq 2003/2006)

Originally from Trinidad, Nurse moved to Rockland County in 1984.

Nurse has continued to serve his community. He has been active in the American Legion and was just elected the Commander of American Legion Post No. 199 in Spring Valley. He is a mentor with the PFC Dwyer Peer to Peer Program. Nurse is also active in assisting the Village of Spring Valley and Mayor in organizing community events and in honoring veterans.

"We thank Ken for his bravery and his continued service to our residents," Day said. "We are proud to list your name among the proud African American men and women who have been named to the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers in years past."

Nurse's academic degrees include: MS in Human Resources Management from the New School for Social Research, New York, PhD in Human Resource Management from School of Professional Management Studies, Pacific Western University, California, Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, The School of Advanced Studies, University of Phoenix, Arizona, Doctor of Psychology in Criminology and Justice Studies, University of the Rockies, School of Professional Psychology, Denver, Colorado, Doctor of Psychology, College of Health, Human Services and Science, Ashford University, San Diego, California.

He is the father of five daughters and husband to Roslyn. He has three grandchildren.