New Jersey’s first acting veteran advocate visits Morris County, praises veterans services
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — New Jersey’s first acting veteran advocate visited Morris County on Wednesday, Oct. 21, praising the county’s efforts to provide veterans with access to medical care, mental health support and government services in one location.
Michael Embrich, who was nominated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill in August to lead the state’s newly created Office of Veteran Advocate, made an unscheduled appearance at a Morris County Veterans Resource Connection event held at the county’s Veterans Services Office.
During his visit, Embrich spoke with veterans and highlighted the county’s approach to connecting former service members with local, state and federal assistance.
“It’s very rare that veterans have the opportunity to go to one location and have medical services mental health services and non-profit services, county and state services and federal services – and that’s what you have here in Morris County, which is an awesome thing that, statewide, is something I certainly will be pushing for,” Embrich told veterans at the Resource Connection event.
“Having all these great resources in one place is certainly beneficial and Morris County certainly is setting the standard for the state to follow,” he added.
Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, welcomed Embrich alongside the county’s five veteran services officers, Department of Human Services Director Kasey Errico and Christine Hellyer, director of the Division of Aging, Disabilities, Veterans and Community Programming.
“Just a few points to make. Of course, we have our five wonderful veteran services officers here today and I want to thank them for all they do,” Krickus told the group. “Morris County has a long history of supporting our veterans, and they find many resources here. Along with our Veterans Services Office, we also have a VA clinic upstairs and, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. and then Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, now Governor Sherrill, we have a federal community access point here for veterans. Our County College of Morris also has its Veteran Resource Center.”
The event took place at the Morris County Veterans Services Office, located off 540 West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township. The county facility also houses a federal Department of Veterans Affairs medical clinic and a federal Vet Center Community Access Point, which provides readjustment counseling and mental health referral services.
Approximately a dozen government and nonprofit agencies participated in the daylong event, setting up informational tables to connect veterans with available programs and assistance.
County officials said the Resource Connection is one of several events organized throughout the year by the Veterans Services Office to help former military personnel access benefits, health care and other support services.
The state Office of Veteran Advocate was established in 2025 to provide additional support and advocacy for New Jersey’s veteran population. Sherrill nominated Embrich to lead the office on Aug. 5, 2026, and his confirmation remains pending before the state Senate.
Embrich is a U.S. Navy veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He previously served as a policy adviser to the U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs and aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
His military honors include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, along with other awards and decorations.
Veterans seeking information about Morris County services can contact the Morris County Veterans Services Office at 973-285-6858 or by email at MCVETS@co.morris.nj.us.
