Local Heroes Decorated For Memorial Day Service

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Heroes young and old were honored this past Wednesday for the Morris County Memorial Day Observation Ceremony.

Over a dozen Morris County veterans were recognized for their service and bravery in the Commissioners Public Meeting Room in Morristown.

While the standing-room only event was moved inside due to poor weather, it did not stop residents, state, and local officials from paying their respects to both living and dead U.S. military veterans.

The 14 honored veterans’ service spanned from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Each of the veterans were issued a special medal, the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal, recognizing them for their honorable service.

According to Morris County Director Tayfun Selen, the county began awarding these medals to local WWII veterans on the 55th anniversary of D-Day in 1999.

Since then, the county has issued them to veterans who have served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts.

Below is a list of veterans who received the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal this year:

• Robert C. Barton, Parsippany-Troy Hills
• Timothy A. Cooney, Parsippany-Troy Hills
• Lawrence J. Ganley, Montville Township
• Robert J. Mallon, Morris Township
• Keith McConnell, Morris Plains
• John A. Perez, Long Hill Township
• Carmen Turrisi, East Hanover
• Thomas R. Frodella Sr., Chester Township
• Thomas R. Frodella Jr., Chester Township
• Dennis W. Becker II, Mount Olive
• James J. Long, Parsippany-Troy Hills
• Edward Leahy, Roxbury Township
• Thomas H. Salvas, Chatham Township
• Frank Giannini (posthumous), Morristown

Click here to learn more about each of the honored veterans.

Remembering the Fallen

Morristown native Maj. Aaron Oliver, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran and chaplain in the New Jersey Army National Guard, delivered the keynote address during the observance. Maj. Oliver served in Iraq last year during Operation Inherent Resolve and earned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service. He shared the story of the loss of his comrade and friend, Staff Sgt. Jorge Oliveira, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.

“Jorge was 33 years old. I remember the feeling that those of us who served with him got when he died — like being punched in the stomach,” said Oliver. “I vowed in my service that I would do what I could so that his memory would endure and that his sacrifice would not be in vain.”

The event continued with the honored tradition of remembering the 10 Morris County men who died fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, which took place 80 years ago today. Deputy Director Stephen Shaw honored the deceased veterans.

“On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, launching what would become one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific campaign,” said Deputy Director Shaw. “Among those who served in Iwo Jima, at least 40 were known residents of Morris County. Ten of those soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. During the 36 days of battle, Morris County lost a Marine nearly every other day. Today, we honor those ten brave men and remember their names.”

Below is a list of the Morris County men who fell in the Battle of Iwo Jima:

• Waldemar F. Piecyk, Dover
• Frederick Daniel Budd, Chester
• Edward R. Hornbeck, Denville
• Nicholas R. Finellie, Madison
• Irving Vanness Petry, Hanover
• Pat Anthony Maioran Jr., Morristown
• Dominick Sapio, Dover
• Vincent E. Fields, Washington Township
• Francis John Bednar, Boonton
• Andrew Harvey Bladt, Boonton

The event concluded with patriotic performances including Chief Robert McNally playing “Amazing Grace” on the back pipes, Korean War veteran Michael J. Del Vecchio playing “Taps” on the bugle, and the The Lakeview Choir performing “God Bless America.”