Morris County to honor veterans Nov. 5 with service medals, Marine Corps tribute, and Civil War hero recognition
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners will host its 2025 Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Public Meeting Room 555 of the Administration and Records Building, 10 Court St., Morristown.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature the presentation of Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to seven local veterans, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, and a special “Morris County Veteran of Valor” tribute honoring Civil War hero Cpl. Charles Fern Hopkins, Sr.
This year’s event also coincides with Operation Green Light, a nationwide campaign that encourages residents, businesses, schools, and local governments to display green lights from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11 to show appreciation for veterans and raise awareness about services available to them in Morris County.
Veterans receiving Distinguished Military Service Medals include:
- Vincent J. DeCaro, Navy – Morris Plains
- Christopher Gardner, Army – Morristown
- Charles E. Johnson, Army/USAR – Dover
- Robert Litrio, Army – Hanover Township
- Ronald Pierantozzi, Navy – Pequannock
- Aniceto Rivera, Army – Boonton Township
- Samuel Y. Yuen, Navy – Randolph Township
As part of the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday celebration, the commissioners will also recognize members of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, stationed at Picatinny Arsenal.
The Veteran of Valor honor will be presented posthumously to Cpl. Charles Fern Hopkins, Sr., a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, civic leader, and lifelong public servant remembered as “Boonton’s Grand Old Man.” A framed Resolution of Honor will be presented to his great-grandson, Charlie Maraziti, who will attend the ceremony to accept the award on the family’s behalf.
A display outside the Commissioners’ Public Meeting Room will feature artifacts related to Hopkins, including his Medal of Honor, on loan from Maraziti.
The public is encouraged to attend and join in honoring the county’s veterans. Guests are advised to arrive early to secure seating. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the county’s website and Facebook page.
