Karnig Thomasian of River Edge is a WWII veteran who survived a Japanese POW camp in Rangoon, Burma. In 1999, he became a National Service Officer (NSO) to help aging former POWs deal with the effects of severe, war-related conditions attributed to the torture, starvation and psychological brainwashing endured in prison camps. Following their release, many PWs felt they did not need any government compensation because they were able to walk, eat and live a fairly normal life. Tomasian spends countless hours advocating on their behalf by explaining, persuading, writing, advising, following through with doctor’s letters, and getting ramps built, procuring wheelchairs and medications. He helps them fill out myriad forms for compensation and benefits and walks them through the labyrinth of officers, protocol, and judge advocates required to secure assistance.

Karnig Arsen Thomasian died on July 5, 2023 in Pompton Plains, NJ.