MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
NEWS RELEASE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley, 609-530-6942/cell 732-804-6782
(4 May, 2012)
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MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
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| IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (4 May, 2012) |
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Media Advisory
State Military Honors To Be Awarded On Vietnam Veterans' Remembrance Day In Holmdel
WHO/WHAT: Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, the Adjutant General, and Raymond L. Zawacki, the Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, and local elected officials will present the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal and other state military awards to more than 55 Veterans, most from Monmouth County. Other counties represented include Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Gloucester and Ocean.
WHEN: Monday, May 7 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, Holmdel (Garden State Parkway)
THE STORY: This medal ceremony is held in conjunction with the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation's (NJVVMF) annual New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Remembrance Day.
In 1991, the state legislature of New Jersey designated May 7 as New Jersey Vietnam Veteran's Remembrance Day to honor those who served in the military during the Vietnam Era, from 1959 to 1975. More than 200,000 New Jersey residents served in the armed forces during that time. Again at this year's ceremony, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will be awarding a number of New Jersey State medals including the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal (NJ DSM) was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was used infrequently until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988. The N.J. DSM was then authorized for that purpose. It is New Jersey's highest military award. Since its re-authorization in 1988, more than 30,000 medals have been awarded to combat veterans from New Jersey.
In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service Medal you must meet all the following criteria: currently be a resident of New Jersey, have been a resident of New Jersey at the time you entered into military service, have been honorably discharged, have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime. The DSM can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin of a veteran who meets the criteria.
Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should call 1-800-624-0508, Press 7, to request an application.
A list of veterans invited to the Vietnam Veterans' Remembrance Day follows:
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