News
4/15/2011 - Local Veterans Honored
NJ Memorial Home Veterans Honored with County Service Medal
More than 100 military veterans residing and working at the NJ Memorial Home in Vineland were honored on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Veterans of conflicts spanning from World War II until the present were honored with the New Jersey State Distinguished Service medal. Of these veterans, 26 were also awarded the Cumberland County Service Medal. Other counties from the South Jersey area were in attendance to present medals for their respective counties also.
Freeholder Jane Jannarone and Director of Veterans Affairs & Interment, Diana M Pitman, were honored to present county proclamations and county service medals to both the attending veterans and family members of veterans with posthumous awards. Several of the Cumberland County Veterans Commission members (Joseph Hampton, Matthew Jordan, Hartley Tucker) were also in attendance and assisted in the event.
Some of the other distinguished guests along with Freehold Jane Jannarone, included Senator Jeff Van Drew, Assembly members Celeste Riley and Matthew Milam, along with DMAVA officials, Raymond L. Zawacki, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Director of Veterans Services, Albert J. Bucchi.
Veterans Are Listed By Rank, Name, War & City Of Residence.
| Merle Baily |
Robert J. Long |
| Willard A. Brown |
William G. O’Brien |
| Anthony Busnardo |
Ralph W. McCormick |
| James P. Castellano |
John F. Miller |
| Robert K. Eckenrode, Sr. |
Raymond Miller, Jr. |
| Albert W. Franchetta, Jr. |
Paul M. Pollara |
| Michael A. Giancolone, Jr. |
Francis L. Reale |
| Robert D. Goldstine |
Loren Riggins |
| William A. Hunter |
Edward Smith |
| Nicholas Kalivas |
John B. Smith |
| William R. Kelling |
George W. Welch |
| Annunciata G. Laslie |
Anthony J. Zerra |
| Albert F. Leung |
Robert P. Rosch (Volunteer) |
Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should send a completed application together with copies of all pertinent information, discharge document award citation, honorable discharge, etc. to:
NJ Department of Military And Veterans Affairs
Attn: DVP-VBB
PO Box 340
Trenton, NJ 08625-0340
For more information visit: www.state.nj.us/military/veterans/awards/distinguished_service/
The Board of Chosen Freeholders has commissioned a Cumberland County Military Service Medal to recognize local Veterans’ who honorably served their country and their county. Under the guidance of the Cumberland County Veterans’ Commission, a design has been selected incorporating the official County flag. It depicts the County Liberty Bell surrounded by 14 stars, representing each of the County’s municipalities. It also includes the inscribed date of 1748, which is the year the Cumberland County was founded. Veterans are invited to apply for this medal.
Anyone interested in applying for the Cumberland County Military Service Medal may download an application here.