Hunterdon County honors veterans at annual medal ceremony marking major military anniversaries
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County leaders gathered at the Route 12 County Complex to honor local veterans during the annual Veterans Recognition Medal Ceremony, an event that this year marked both the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end and the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
The full Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners attended the ceremony, joined by Sheriff and U.S. Navy veteran Fred Brown and several members of the New Jersey General Assembly, including Assemblyman John DiMaio, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis.
“As we honor our veterans today, I ask that we also keep in our thoughts and prayers those serving this nation right now, particularly those at risk in various locations across the globe,” said Commissioner Director John E. Lanza. “All that we are as a nation, everything that we have – our strength, our good fortune, and our freedom – were all bequeathed to us by our forefathers, and it endures only because you have defended it.”
The Hunterdon County Veterans Recognition Medal was created more than 20 years ago by the late John Hatzikalifas, a Vietnam veteran and county resident. The medal has since become a cherished symbol of appreciation for service members across the region.
Commissioner Susan J. Soloway, Veterans Co-Liaison, reflected on the significance of this year’s historic commemorations.
“As we remember the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, we honor the bravery of the Greatest Generation and all who have followed in their footsteps,” Soloway said. “We have prepared a VE and VJ Day historic collage for all veterans here today to sign, so it may stand as a lasting tribute to their sacrifices and to the freedoms they helped preserve.”
The ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Dan Torrone; a reveille call by U.S. Army veteran and trumpeter Dave White; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy Director Shaun C. Van Doren; and the National Anthem performed by the Delaware Valley Regional High School Choral Group. Reverend Konrad Szierer delivered both the invocation and benediction.
Commissioner and Veterans Co-Liaison Jeff Kuhl introduced guest speaker David Culley, Esq., a retired U.S. Naval flight officer and Superintendent of Veterans Haven North. Culley urged the community not only to thank veterans for their service, but also to “get to know a veteran.”
During the ceremony’s roll call, each attending veteran received a medal from an elected official as their name was read. Those unable to attend will receive their medals at a later date.
Director Lanza closed the ceremony with a message of gratitude.
“Though words can never fully express our gratitude for this preserved inheritance of freedom, that gratitude begins with a simple ‘thank you,’” he said. “On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and all the officials here today, I extend our deepest appreciation to all veterans — those we recognize at this ceremony, those we honor on Veterans Day, those currently serving, and those who are no longer with us. My message is simple but heartfelt: thank you for your service. American freedom would not exist without your sacrifice.”
