Mahwah Sergeant In War On Terror Presented With Military Service Medal

MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah sergeant in the war on terror was recognized for his military service.

Daniel Pettenger, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant in the Global War on Terrorism, was presented with a medal for his service to the armed forces, during a Friday ceremony in Hackensack.

"I was in the Marine(s)... for five years and served in the White House Communications Agency," Pettenger said in a statement. "I've only lived in Mahwah for about two years with my wife Jacqueline... But it is a beautiful town, and we plan on staying and raising our kids here."

Pettenger was one of seven local residents honored with a military service medal in an annual Military Appreciation Month Ceremony at One Bergen County Plaza, according to a county spokesperson.

"It is due to this bravery, which we honor every day, that we are able to be the "Home of the Free", County Executive Jim Tedesco said in a Facebook post about the ceremony. "We can never thank you enough for your sacrifice."

Tedesco said he had the pleasure of honoring the service members, the rest of whom are:

• Michael Losurdo — Saddle River — Corporal, U.S. Army, Korea
• Jeffrey Siconolfi — Washington Township — Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Army, Vietnam
• John Smith — Bergenfield — Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Vietnam
• Angelo Gomez — Ridgefield Park — Specialist, U.S. Army, Vietnam
• Vincent Tainatongo — New Milford — Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
• Kevin Laliberte — Washington Township — Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom

Bergen County's Division of Veterans Affairs invited retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Kevin Laliberte to offer the program's keynote address. Laliberte is a Westwood High School graduate who served for more than 23 years in the Air Force.

Declared by Congress in 1999, National Military Appreciation Month is an observance spanning the month of May to honor the U.S. armed forces.