This year he is stepping back from several leadership positions with the Whitman VFW #697 programs, which he personally led for decades, and also from participating in many other programs that benefit veterans and countless members of the community. In honor of his service to his country and his town, he has been named the Citizen of the Year.

Yanuss has displayed extraordinary community service as an officer of the Whitman VFW #697, in 2009, and for seven decades, for Whitman youth, veterans, and seniors.  The 91-year-old is known as the “Poster Boy for Patriotism” to other members of the VFW.

“The veteran’s significant contributions to the town of Whitman, for seven decades, are well beyond the clichés of giving back and making a difference,” Whitman V.F.W. Commander Anthony O’Brien said.

The amount of money he personally helped raise over decades is immeasurable, easily tens of thousands of dollars.   He has helped several organizations and individuals, young and old, over the decades.  

Yanuss is one of four men who mortgaged his home to expand the VFW building that is located on Essex Street, he said.

Before the construction, the VFW only consisted of a bar room, now with the additions it has an upstairs function hall, offices in the lower level and a second room where many meetings are held, Yanuss said.

Yanuss worked three jobs to keep his family afloat in addition to supporting the VFW..

“I never missed a day of work,” he said.

Yanuss was born in 1918, and graduated from Whitman High School in 1935.  He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the Battle of Okinawa, Japan, the final decisive battle in the Pacific before the Japanese surrender.  

After returning home in 1945, Yanuss made the decision not to re-enlist for another four years.

He and his wife Josephine were married in 1947. They have five children, four girls and one boy.  Yanuss worked as a foreman in the shoe industry.

O’Brien said that many of the men who fought in the battle of World War II did not re-enlist because they had lost so many of their friends.

Yanuss is the epitome of lifelong “Semper Fidelis” service to country, community, and family, according to O’Brien.  

While serving in the Marine Corps, Yanuss, a Marine Corps sergeant, taught several pilots how to operate the systems in their air crafts. While training pilots, Yanuss continuously thought his units would be going to war. His day came to go to war, and he was sent to Japan during the Battle of Okinawa. His unit’s sister squadron was shot down by Japanese fighters and, for two weeks, his unit was expected to hold down the fort. While working in the hangar the camp was continuously bombed, both day and night.

His unit received an honorable citation from the president of the United States after they shot down several of the enemies’ aircraft.

After 23 years at the Commonwealth Shoe Factory, he became an assistant foreman at Knapp Shoe factory. After being laid off, he was then hired as a foreman at a New Bedford shoe factory. He worked a total of 45 years in the industry.

One of his other jobs was being the bartender for the Whitman VFW.

His daughter, Sue DaSilva, said she remembers spending Sundays at the VFW with a bottle of Coke and a bag of chips on a stool while her father was working.

“He was always dedicated to the VFW,” she said. “Growing up as a child,  [Yanuss] was at the VFW all the time.”

In the 50s, Yanuss said he became a junior vice commander and then a senior vice commander. He was also on the board of directors for several years. He served in almost every VFW position highlighted by his term as post commander from 1961- 1962.

Due to his exceptional efforts for seven decades, he helped make the Whitman VFW one of the most recognized charitable organizations in the region, state, and country as evidenced by a large amount of state and national awards and a very long list of charities supported.

Up until this year, Yanuss led the VFW Monday Night Club 697 raffles and banquets. He was in charge of this group for decades. For 20 weeks, members would get a number for $1 and if their number was called they got the pot of money. If the winner wasn’t there that week, the pot would grow. With 100 members, there was a waiting list to join. But the members didn’t go to the banquets to win, they went for the camaraderie and to help raise funds for charity programs.

Yanuss has also been the annual winner of the Memorial Day Buddy Poppy Can Drive for needy veterans.  He has collected the most money in his cans, and is usually the winner by far.  

“Even in his 90s, besides his sincere charm and passion, his key to success in the Buddy Poppy Can Drive fundraising is wearing his military uniform,” O’Brien said.

He still serves as the post Lottery coordinator, managing the supplies and ensuring entertainment for customers and fundraising for the VFW.

Through his service as a VFW officer, and with many boards and committees, Yanuss also coordinated programs and events for fundraising for many charities including: scholarships for local schools, youth sports programs, holiday events for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, supporting the Boy Scouts, sending care packages to troops, and clothing, food, and toy drives for needy families.

Yanuss always  supported the VA hospital morale visits to Whitman veterans with traumatic war injuries.

He was involved in fundraising golf tournaments for phone cards that were sent overseas to troops.

Yanuss attended several conferences and events for the state and national VFW and Ladies Auxiliary.

“I always remember the good times and the fun we had,” he said.

O’Brien said that Yanuss was always the first to volunteer for any event the VFW sponsored. He would show up at 5 a.m. to begin preparing and he would serve people for hours, O’Brien said.

“Yanuss is an example of the guys who did the dirty, tough work and loved doing it,” he said. “He was there every week, for every event. You can count on him.”

While an officer in the VFW, Yanuss said he loved walking in the parades.

“He would walk proudly and salute with his hand over his heart,” DaSilva said.

Yanuss always prides himself on the fact he was a Marine.

The United States Marine Corps birthday is on Nov. 10, and that has always been something he remembers, DaSilva said.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Yanuss said. “I was proud. I love to march.”

Yanuss unhesitatingly volunteered for the color guard, speaking roles or any position as needed, even with no notice, regardless of weather, health, etc., according to O’Brien.

Every May, Yanuss could be found replacing the flags at the cemeteries for Memorial Day.

He also volunteered his time as a VFW Funeral Honor Guard detail providing a final service for the families of deceased veterans.