Morris Twp Veteran Honored With County Medal

MORRIS TOWNSIP, NJ — A Morris Township veteran was honored for her service to the county with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal from the Board of Freeholders.

Bonita (Bonnie) Sue Pyler, 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 Pyler's service:

A 30-year Commissioned Officer in uniformed services, she retired at the rank of Captain from the U.S. Public Health Service. She joined the U.S. Air Force as a staff nurse and hospital supervisor from 1977-1980, and later served four years as a U.S. Navy Nurse Officer FNP at Patuxent River Naval Air Test Station in Maryland. Her last uniformed services position was as the U.S. Public Health Service Federal Emergency Coordinator for Region II.

Pyler, who has a Doctoral Degree, is a long-time Family Nurse Practitioner. She has used her skills for the Navy, Air Force, federal Health Service; federal Dept. of Health and Human Services, and in civilian positions.

She currently is the volunteer Vice-President of the Morris Township Board of Health, a volunteer with the American Red Cross as a Blood Ambassador; and she is the immediate past President of the New Jersey Bee Keepers Association.

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.