The New Jersey National Guard will celebrate “National Guard Day” with a full slate of activities, exhibits, and award presentations at the New Jersey Statehouse on West State Street on Thursday, May 24, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m..  Following a special awards presentation in the Assembly Chamber at 11:30 a.m., a wide variety  of military equipment, tactical vehicles, and other training devices will be on display.  More than 15 separate exhibits highlighting the full spectrum of veterans services and many of the Army and Air National Guard units serving the Garden State also will be positioned throughout the campus grounds. 

Following the issuance of a Gubernatorial Proclamation and a joint Senate-Assembly resolution honoring the National Guard, individual awards will be presented to Acting Governor / Senate President Donald T. Di Francesco, Assembly Speaker Jack Collins and other state legislators who have demonstrated outstanding support to the more than 10,000 patriotic and dedicated citizen-soldiers in New Jersey.

Awards include:

The Charles Dick Medal of Merit Award  - from the National Guard Association of the United States Acting Governor / Senate President Donald T. DiFrancesco 
Senator John O. Bennett
Senator William L. Gormley
Senator Robert W. Singer

The Patrick Henry Award -  from the National Guard Association of the United States
Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr.

New Jersey Korean War Memorial
Senator Donald T. DiFrancesco 
Assembly Speaker Jack Collins 
Senator William L. Gormley
Assemblyman Francis J. Blee

New Jersey Naval Militia
Assemblywoman Marion Crecco

NJ Civilian Commendation Medal
Senator Diane B. Allen
Senator Martha W. Bark
Senator Anthony R. Bucco
Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr.
Senator Robert J. Martin
Senator John J. Matheussen 
Senator Robert W. Singer
Assemblyman Francis L. Bodine
Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis 
Assemblyman Herbert C. Conaway, Jr.
Assemblyman Jack Conners 
Assemblyman Nicholas R. Felice

A special dedication of a bronze bust honoring veterans of the 372d Separate Company of the New Jersey Militia will follow the conclusion of the award presentations. 

Scheduled exhibits / displays are: 
 
Detachment 1, 1159th Aviation - Triage and Medivac Exhibit
Army National Guard Training Battle Laboratory  - Training simulations and devices
NJ National Guard Counter Drug Program  -   “The War on Drugs”
NJ Veterans Programs  -  Veterans Benefits and Entitlements
Veterans Health Care Services  -  NJ Veterans Memorial Homes
Family Support  -  National Guard Family Programs
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve  - Employer Rights and Responsibilities
Cemeteries/Monuments Memorials/Museums - NJ’s Veterans Memorials
BG William C. Doyle Cemetery   -  Veteran’s Burial Entitlements
Air National Guard (ANG) -   Career Opportunities in the ANG
Challenge Youth Program  -  A Second Chance for H.S. Dropouts
Sea Girt Medical Clinic  -   Health Care in the NJ Guard
National Guard Museum  -   History of the NJ National Guard
42nd Division Support Command  -  Military Vehicle Display

This event is open to the public. Media also are encouraged to attend.