Morris Leader

The annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony in Morris County saw the presentation of Distinguished Military Service Medals to 11 veterans. The event took place at the Administration and Records Building in Morristown, attended by veterans, dignitaries, family members, and friends.

Retired Admiral James “Frank” Caldwell Jr., a former director of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, traveled from Annapolis to support the honorees. Commissioner Director Christine Myers led the ceremony with Deputy Director Stephen Shaw and other commissioners. State Sen. Anthony Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn presented Joint Senate-Assembly Resolutions, while U.S. Rep. Tom Kean and Willy Tolba delivered Certificates of Honor.

“The County Commissioners have traditionally used the occasion of our Veterans Day Observance to recognize resident veterans by presenting them with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal,” said Director Myers.

Director Myers also acknowledged three recently deceased New Jersey figures: Deacon Ray Chimileski, Chuck Haytaian, and Vincent “George” McMann Jr., whose daughter attended the ceremony.

The medal program began in 1999 to honor World War II veterans and has since expanded to include Vietnam, Korean wars, Iraq, and Afghanistan conflicts. In his opening remarks, Rep. Kean emphasized his commitment to local veterans' support.

“I am proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis with my colleague Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill to bring a VA Vet Center Community Access Point (CAP) right here to Morris County,” said Kean.

This federal Veteran Center CAP opened in May at the Morris County Veterans Service Office in Morris Township.

Among those honored was retired U.S. Navy Captain Charles E. Fegley from Randolph Township for his service from 1957 to 1981. Tributes were also paid to Brigadier General Sean Patrick Mulholland posthumously for his service during the War on Terrorism.

Deputy Director Shaw read a letter from retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Glen G. Roussos praising Mulholland as “a warrior who made a difference wherever he went.” Senator Bucco read another letter honoring Mulholland’s legacy and presented it framed to Mulholland’s sister.

Attendees included Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Deputy Clerk Anna McMahon, CCM President Tony Iacono among others.

Ahead of Veterans Day, an update on the Morris County Veterans Compendium Project was announced by the Office of Planning & Preservation documenting soldiers' service since the American Revolution.