WHAT/WHO: U.S. Army Cpl. Shane Ugliono of Hawthorne will receive $5,500 in grants from the State of New Jersey 's Yellow Ribbon Committee on Returning Combat Veterans (YRC). Along with the grant money, Gary R. Englert, Director of Veterans Services, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will present the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to this severely wounded soldier. These presentations are part of a community fund raising event for Ugliono and his family, a wife and three children.

Ugliono was involved in a firefight in Salahaddin Province (north of Baghdad ) on January 8, 2008 when his five-man team confronted 30 insurgents. Three of the five-man team was killed, Ugliono was hit with at least 21 rounds, with most hitting his helmet or body armor, four shots pierced his Kevlar helmet. His left arm was almost sheared off by rifle fire and has already undergone 12 surgeries. His decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart and he has been recommended for a Bronze Star for Valor.

WHEN: Saturday, April 26 – 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Boys and Girls Club, 150 Maitland Avenue, Hawthorne

Details on the Yellow Ribbon Committee on Returning Combat Veterans (YRC)

In 2007, Governor Jon S. Corzine established the Yellow Ribbon Committee on Returning Combat Veterans (YRC) under the auspices of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine the emergent issues facing Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans. In the FY 2008 New Jersey State Budget $1million was allocated to address the issues thus determined. A portion of this allocation was earmarked to provide relief, in the form of grants, for a range of veteran/family emergencies and business “Re-Start” assistance. Applications and additional information is available on-line at: www.nj.gov/military/veterans/Yellow Ribbon Grant Application.pdf or by calling the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at (609)-530-6949.