MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners honored five local veterans during its annual Veterans Day observance ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11, recognizing their military service with Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals.
Each veteran received a medal and certificate of honor during the ceremony, attended by family members and friends. Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw read biographies highlighting each recipient’s military service.
The veterans honored were U.S. Army veterans Darwin R. Martell of Wharton, Raymond Jones of Denville and Thomas Ryan of Pompton Plains; U.S. Air Force veteran Clifford Keezer of Boonton; and U.S. Army Reserve veteran Robert M. Basinski of Boonton.
“This annual ceremony is just one of many ways we recognize and honor the sacrifices of our veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year. It is a demonstration of our unwavering support for those who suspended their lives, risked their lives and, sadly, lost their lives in defense of the world’s greatest democracy,” Shaw said.
Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Deborah Smith, Christine Myers, Thomas Mastrangelo and Douglas Cabana joined in presenting the medals. Additional honors were presented by Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney and Navy Cmdr. Willy Tolba from the office of U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia.
Morris County veterans services officers also presented honors submitted on behalf of each veteran by state Sens. Anthony M. Bucco and Joseph Pennacchio and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, highlighted the county’s ongoing efforts to expand services for veterans through the Morris County Veterans Services Office on Hanover Avenue in Morris Township. Those improvements include adding veterans services officers and expanding space at the facility.
“In fact, we were honored last month to have New Jersey’s first Veteran Advocate – Michael Embrich – who visited the facilities and praised the fact that we are one of the few counties in the entire nation whose Veterans Services Office also has a federal VA Clinic and a federal Community Access Point to provide mental health services,” Krickus said.
“Mr. Embrich, who also is a veteran, called it a model he planned to replicate throughout New Jersey,” he added.
The ceremony also featured a special “Veterans of Valor” segment recognizing two Revolutionary War soldiers with ties to Morris County as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“We celebrate two soldiers of the American Revolution, both rooted in Morris County, and who later became statesmen in our community. One later served as a Morris County Freeholder – on this board, although we are now called Commissioners. And the other became a noted Justice of the Peace and state Legislator,” Shaw said.
The first honoree, Capt. Moses Estey, served as an officer during the Revolutionary War and later as a Morris County freeholder from 1790 to 1796. He also served as collector of internal revenue for the New Jersey District during President George Washington’s administration.
Estey’s former Morristown home was relocated to Historic Speedwell in Morristown, where it remains preserved by Morris County.
The second honoree, Jesse Upson, served in the Continental Army and Morris County Militia before settling in Mendham Township. He later served as a judge of probate, represented Morris County in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1804 to 1806 and served as vice president of the New Jersey Council of State from 1816 to 1822.
Upson is also remembered for serving as a justice of the peace from 1803 to 1838, settling disputes outside of court at the Black Horse Tavern in Mendham Borough, which remains in operation today.
The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation continues to update its Morris County Veterans Compendium Project, an ongoing initiative documenting the military service of Morris County residents dating back to the American Revolution.
Veterans and their families seeking assistance can contact the Morris County Office of Veterans Services at 540 W. Hanover Ave. in Morris Township by calling 973-285-6866 or visiting the Morris County Veterans Services website.
