Atiba Dey has spent nearly eight decades in the Bronx, watching neighborhoods change, communities struggle, and veterans continue searching for their place after military service. Yet even at 79 years old, Dey still believes veterans must keep speaking up, organizing, and remaining visible.
Born at the old Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, Dey was raised in the borough and currently lives in the Burnside and Grand Concourse section of the Bronx. He will turn 80 years old in November. He is engaged to his fiancée, Reneé, and has a 53-year-old daughter who lives in Atlanta.
Dey entered the United States Army through the volunteer draft in 1966 and served until September 1968. He was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, with the 7th Brigade, 7th Army, 71st Maintenance Battalion during a tense period surrounding the Vietnam War.
Looking back, Dey says his military experience left him with both good and painful memories. One of the positive experiences was meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures from around the world. But some memories still stay with him decades later.
“The bad part was seeing over 20 guys I served with get shipped to Vietnam right after Germany,” Dey recalled.
After leaving the military, Dey worked in construction and eventually operated his own company before later joining the United States Postal Service. He retired in 2012 after 27 years with the Postal Service.
Over time, his focus gradually shifted toward advocacy and veteran outreach. Dey said much of that work began informally through conversations with fellow veterans and coworkers at the post office, where he regularly shared information involving veteran services, benefits, and community resources.
More recently, Dey has remained active in Bronx veteran causes and preservation efforts connected to military history.
One place that continues to carry special meaning for him is the West Farms Soldiers Cemetery in the Bronx, which he recently visited again alongside other veterans. Dey said it was his third or fourth time visiting the historic cemetery.
“There’s a special feeling knowing military personnel are laid to rest there,” he said.
He recalled that when he first visited the cemetery years ago, parts of it were in disrepair. While conditions have improved over time, Dey believes additional restoration and preservation work is still needed.
Dey is a member of the National Association for Black Veterans, commonly known as NABVETS, an organization that advocates for veterans while also helping preserve military history and historic sites connected to service members. The organization recently participated in efforts to bring additional public attention to conditions surrounding the cemetery and the need for continued upkeep.
On April 1, Dey also stood alongside Bronx veteran activists and members of Veteran Action Now during an event focused on bringing awareness to veteran poverty, homelessness, mental health struggles, and unemployment.
In March, Dey traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and members of his office to discuss issues affecting veterans and Bronx communities.
“Our voices need to be heard from veterans, the community, and the Bronx,” Dey said.
For Dey, advocacy is not simply about public appearances or speeches. He believes veterans, particularly Black veterans, must continue telling their own stories instead of allowing others to speak on their behalf.
“As veterans, we have the right to have our voices heard,” Dey said. “As Black veterans, many speak for us, but we need to speak for ourselves. They need to hear about our military careers, our voices, and our experiences.”
That message carried into the May 2 celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Bronx NABVETS Chapter #0029. When NABVETS expanded into New York City in 2006, the organization launched with four chapters and one women’s chapter. Today, Bronx Chapter #0029 remains the last active chapter from that original group.
Dey credits the chapter’s survival through COVID-19 and other difficult periods to its consistent presence in the community.
“We stayed present, relevant, and focused not only on veterans, but also their families, neighborhoods, and communities,” Dey said.
He also noted that the organization recently took steps to help restart a women’s chapter, which would become the only NABVETS women’s chapter in the Northeast region.
Dey joined the Bronx chapter around 2006 or 2007 after being invited by his childhood friend, combat veteran, and original Bronx NABVETS member Joseph “Joe” Gallant.
Now approaching 80 years old, Dey continues encouraging veterans to remain active, vocal, and engaged in their communities.
“We have to stay relevant in today’s world,” Atiba Dey said.
As a Veteran of the Month recipient, Atiba Dey represents a continuing tradition of veterans who remain active in their communities and continue serving long after their military service ends.
If you would like to nominate a veteran or submit your name for consideration for Veteran of the Month in your borough, additional information can be found at the Big Apple Gazette Veteran of the Month Page.
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