MORRIS PLAINS BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Veterans, their families and organizations that provide services to former military members gathered Monday in Morris Plains for the third annual Veterans Appreciation Day.
The event at VFW Post 3401 included a lunch prepared and served by student volunteers from Morristown High School and gave veterans an opportunity to connect with organizations providing employment, behavioral health, housing and other support services.
Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey, Catholic Charities, NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders, VFW Post 3401 and American Legion Post 59 in Morristown hosted the event.
Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw attended with Deputy Director John Krickus and Commissioners Christine Myers and Tayfun Selen.
“Recognizing our veterans is something we can never do often enough, and Morris County remains committed to supporting our veterans throughout the year,” said Director Shaw. “The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform have made sacrifices to protect the freedoms we cherish, and we are grateful for their service.”
Shaw noted that the gathering came days after National Purple Heart Day, observed Aug. 7. The Purple Heart traces its origins to the Badge of Military Merit established by Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War and today recognizes service members who were wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.
Other officials attending the event included U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia, state Sen. Anthony Bucco, Assemblywomen Aura Dunn and Marisa Sweeney and Morris Plains Mayor Jason Karr.
Morris County Human Services Director Kasey Errico and Christine Hellyer, director of the county’s Aging, Disabilities and Community Programming Office, also attended.
A.J. Luna, co-founder of the NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders Group and a U.S. Army veteran, spoke about the upcoming Remembering Our Fallen traveling memorial at County College of Morris in Randolph.
Luna served in the Army from 2000 to 2006, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The memorial is scheduled to be displayed at the college from Sept. 25 through Sept. 27 as part of a commemoration marking the 25th anniversary of the Global War on Terrorism. The memorial honors U.S. service members who died during the conflict.
Veterans Appreciation Day also provided attendees with access to county veterans services officers and staff from the Morris County Department of Human Services’ Navigating Hope mobile services unit.
Organizations represented at the event included Community Hope, Atlantic Behavioral Health, Employing Veterans & Military Spouses LLC, Catholic Charities’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, New Jersey Veterans Network, Loan Depot and the Veterans Crisis Line.
Representatives provided information about services available to veterans, including employment assistance, behavioral health resources and housing support.
Persistent Foundation of Parsippany sponsored this year’s event.
More information about services available to Morris County veterans is available through the Morris County Veterans Services Office at 973-285-6866.
