Ten veterans received Morris County’s Distinguished Service Award Medals from the freeholders on Friday in Morristown, at the 2014 Memorial Day ceremony. (See video above.)
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Sean P. Abrusci, Marines
- Brandon Ashby, Army
- Kimberley Ike, Army
- Charles E. Johnson, Navy
- Eric Kowal, Marines
- Luis Maldonado, Army
- Frank Misurelli, Air Force
- Mario Monaco, Marines
- Dwight David Eisenhower Wallace, Army
- Ron Wenzel, Coast Guard
Photos by Scott Schlosser. Please click icon below for captions.
The fallen were remembered with Taps, performed by F. Tony Ramirez of Denville American Legion Post 390, and by Amazing Grace from the Police Pipes & Drums of Morris County.
A 21-gun salute was fired by the Morris County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, and children from the Lakeview Select Chorus in Denville sang God Bless America.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.) remembered Marine Col. Peter O’Hagan Jr., a former freeholder who died last month.
“He would normally be here, admittedly, in front of the courthouse, but I can tell you his spirit is here, not only in the form of you in front of me, but the remarkable Marines who have joined us today,” the Congressman said.
Col. O’Hagan’s widow, Barbara, participated in the ceremony.
The keynote was delivered by 88-year-old Harry Ettlinger, one of the World War II “Monuments Men” depicted in the movie of the same name.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced that Harry will receive the Congressional Gold Medal for his role in recovering art treasures plundered by the Nazis.
The Senator and Freeholder Director Tom Mastrangelo also expressed wishes for the safe return of all U.S. servicemen and women serving abroad today.
MORE COVERAGE:
A real ‘Monuments Man,’ and 10 more vets, honored in Morristown
