Long Valley Veteran Honored With County Medal

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A Long Valley veteran was honored for his service to the county with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal from the Board of Freeholders.

Armando Gutierrez, U.S. Navy, was one of seven county veterans present with the medal at a ceremony Wednesday night. They also received special state citations from state legislators and a certificate from Sheriff Gannon.

"To all of our veterans, we have a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you!" said Deputy Freeholder Director Christine Myers. “For all veterans, regardless of their service and the era in which they have served, they have paid a price for the freedom we enjoy. They have paid with their courage and honor. We salute you for your service."

The county provided this information about Gutierrez's service:

Raised in Millburn, and an athlete at Millburn High School, he was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1963, and went to basic training at San Diego Radio Training School.

He was deployed to Kodiak Alaska for two years, answering radio messages for U.S. Navy fleet in the Pacific. The Radioman Second Class later served on the U.S.S. Washburn in Vietnam, assisting U.S. Marine amphibious operations. Armando received the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Medal and was honorably discharged in 1970.

The seven honored veterans are:

• Timothy Burns, U.S. Army, Wharton
• Thomas A. DiDomenico, U.S. Air Force, East Hanover
• Armando Gutierrez, U.S. Navy, Washington Township
• Craig Hyson, U.S. Army, Rockaway Borough
• Bonita (Bonnie) Sue Pyler, U.S. Navy, Morris Township
• Donald W. Robinson, U.S. Navy, Mount Olive
• (the late) Harold Weasner, U.S. Navy, Roxbury

Image: (l/r) Freeholders Deborah Smith and Kathy DeFillippo, veterans Armando Gutierrez, Marie Weasner (wife of the late Harold Weasner), Craig Hyson, Bonnie Sue Pyler, Timothy Burns, Donald Robinson, Thomas DiDomenico, and Freeholders Christine Myers and Tom Mastrangelo. Via Morris County.