New Initiative Aims To Honor Military Veterans In Freehold Borough

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — A new initiative has come to Freehold Borough that aims to honor local veterans who have served the US and the local community.

The Freehold Borough Military Veteran’s Recognition Sign Program aims to recognize veterans with honorary street sign toppers placed on existing roads throughout town.

The signs will serve as a lasting tribute, officials said, ensuring that the veterans' dedication, sacrifice and service are remembered and appreciated by all.

“This program would not have been possible without the dedication and support of so many in our community,” officials said. “And we extend our heartfelt thanks to the American Legion Post 54, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4374, the Corporal Philip A. Reynolds Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Freehold Borough Department of Public Works, the Freehold Borough Participatory Budget Committee, Robert ‘Cheddar’ Lithgow, Carl Beams, Borough Councilwoman Annette Jordan, and the many resident volunteers who helped bring this idea to life.”

The concept for the program was presented by the borough’s Veterans Initiative Subcommittee, and aims to take advantage of the borough’s 112 streets and 300+ street signs by affixing the custom sign toppers above them.

Each year, 15 veterans will be honored with sign dedications through the program:

• Memorial Day: Five signs honoring deceased veterans
• July 4th: Five signs honoring living veterans (oldest living veterans recognized first)
• Veterans Day: Five signs honoring living veterans (next oldest living veterans recognized)

According to the subcommittee's presentation, there will also be a 30-minute public ceremony conducted by elected officials and veteran organizations for the benefit of the honoree and the honoree's family.

To be eligible for the program, officials said the nominated veteran must have been a resident of Freehold Borough for at least 10 years and must not have been dishonorably discharged.

To learn more about nominating a veteran, the nomination criteria, or the dedication ceremonies, you can click here.

To access the nomination form for the Veteran's Recognition Sign Program, you can click here.