SNJ Today – Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli, and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro honored 69 Salem County residents who served on active duty and received honorable discharges at the Salem County Military Service Medal Ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 2nd.
Elected officials presented the awards to the recipients at Salem County Community College inside Davidow Hall in Carneys Point.
“I am tremendously grateful to our state’s veterans,” said Sweeney. “They have made invaluable sacrifices for this great nation. As more servicemen and women are coming back from military engagement overseas, we at the state level must continue making sure we are doing our part to honor our commitment to the troops and ease their transition into the civilian life by continuing to provide them with property tax relief, veterans’ education benefits and civil-service veterans’ preferences.”
“It was an honor to recognize military veterans in our area who served our country with distinction,” said Burzichelli. “We owe all of these men and women a debt of gratitude for their service, and making sure they have access to the best programs and services we can provide is just a small way we can show our appreciation. We are proud of the work we’ve done in support of veterans and are committed to continuing our efforts to make sure they have access to the resources they deserve.”
“I am proud to honor and support those who sacrificed for our country,” said Taliaferro. “These extraordinary men and women, who have sacrificed so much in the defense of democracy and our rights, need to have the best possible resources and benefits available when they come home. At the state level we will continue working crafting legislation that protects their well-being after they return to civilian life.”
Last October the Legislature approved a new $3,000 tax deduction for veterans. The law took effect this year.
The law defines veterans as those who are “honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of New Jersey in a federal active duty status.”
The event was attended by approximately 200 elected officials, community leaders and friends and family members of honorees.
Among the participants were Rep. Frank LoBiondo; Robert Vanderslice, Salem County Freeholder Director; Joseph Hannagan, Director of Salem County Veterans Affairs; Donna Secaur, Volunteer at Veterans Services Office; Jaci Bobbitt, Veterans Advisory Board Member; Marina Clifford, Miss Salem County Outstanding Teen; Brenda Banks, Salem County Freeholder Board Clerk.
