Pomona Resident Serves as Grand Marshall in 2nd Largest Memorial Day Parade in U.S.

Rockland Resident Lt. Col. Thomas Danas of Pomona, NY served as the Grand Marshall at the second largest Memorial Day Parade in the country, held in Douglaston, NY.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Evangelos Danas served in the United States Air Force for nearly 42 years, in both an active and reserve capacity, and as a noncommissioned and commissioned officer.  His long and rewarding career culminated in his selection as the third deputy commander in the 13-year history of the 655th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Group with lineage dating back to World War II.  The 655th ISR Group is subordinate to the 655th ISR Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio where Lt Col Danas directed 602 personnel, seven squadrons with six distinct classic associate unit mission sets at geographic locations throughout the nation.  He executed Air Force Reserve Command’s complete ISR planning and operations strategy for squadrons attached to Headquarters Air Force Directorates, two Air Force Commands and National Security Agency signals intelligence (SIGINT) partners.  He oversaw the Air Force’s only expeditionary force protection SIGINT threat analysis cell supporting three forward operating airbases. 

As executive agent for sensitive collection systems, he directed computer network exploitation missions and 24/7 real-time ISR collection operations across the enterprise for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), combatant commands and joint task force intelligence requirements under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense.  He managed $64 million in direct and $20.3 million in indirect expenses and provided oversight on seven Air Force weapons and sensitive collection systems valued at over $400 million dollars.  He served during a range of major military conflicts, monitored sensitive site exploitation and conducted detainee case analysis missions under Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  

Lt Col Danas received his undergraduate degree from the New School for Social Research and graduate degree from Syracuse University. He retired from military service in 2021, and the Department of the Army civilian service at West Point in 2023.  Previous employers: New York State County of Onondaga, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station and Lockheed Martin (GE Aerospace).  He is married to Demetra (Anayannis) Danas and is currently serving as the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) District Six veterans director since August 2024.  He is also a member of the Reserve Officers Association, the American Legion and the Army and Navy Union.