An IDNYC story

Luke Gasparre: Veteran of the U.S. Army and the New York Mets

It’s been six months since Mayor Bill de Blasio launched IDNYC — New York City’s municipal ID card for all residents regardless of immigration status. In the coming weeks, we’ll feature the stories of some of those New Yorkers.

Our first IDNYC profile is of Luke Gasparre, a 91 year-old World War II veteran and the oldest usher for the New York Mets.

Private First Class Luke Gasparre, 91, holds his honorable discharge papers from the U.S. Army. Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office.

Luke served with the 87th Infantry Division in Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Belgium. In addition to serving in the Battle of the Bulge, he once got separated from his unit and had to pretend to be dead in order to evade capture by a passing German tank division. He came home with a Purple Heart for injuries suffered during combat.

When he returned to New York in 1945, he found work as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, but the career that has brought him true renown didn’t begin until 1964. That year, Luke became an usher for the New York Mets in their inaugural season. He hasn’t missed an Opening Day since.

In his time at Shea Stadium and Citi Field, Luke has become a New York Mets institution. Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office.

On his 91st birthday, Luke celebrated by applying for his IDNYC U.S. Veterans Designation. This new category of IDNYC helps connect Veterans with resources, services, and discounts — and expresses the City’s gratitude and respect for those who have served our country.

Luke Gasparre dancing with his dogs before heading out to get his IDNYC. Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office.

At the pop-up enrollment center in Jamaica, Queens, he met Commissioner Nisha Agarwal from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Commissioner Loree Sutton from the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Commissioner Sutton, who is a retired Army Brigadier General, greeted Luke with a salute and gave him his newest medal: an IDNYC pin.

Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! On my 91st birthday it is simply beautiful and an honor to get an IDNYC card with a veteran designation on it. It makes me very happy to see the City honor veterans in this way. I will keep my card with me in the pocket close to my heart. — Private First Class Luke Gasparre