Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey presents the “Minuteman” statue to Mayor Glen D. Gilmore of Hamilton Township during the 29th Annual Good Guy Reception at the Trenton Artillery Armory. Gilmore is a veteran and a former member of the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Mayor Glen D. Gilmore of Hamilton Township was honored as the recipient of the 2002 “Good Guy” award. This selection recognizes the one person in the greater Mercer County community who has done the most during the past year to support scouting and promote the principals for which scouting has always stood. Following the presentation of the “Good Guy” by last year’s recipient, Mercer County Executive Bob Prunetti, Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, presented Mayor Gilmore with the “Minuteman Statue.” The 24-inch tall plaster depiction of a colonial era minuteman, holding his musket, ready to fight to defend home and neighbors, represents the collective appreciation and admiration of the more than 9,000 patriotic and dedicated citizen-soldiers currently serving in units of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard. It is only awarded to those individuals who have made significant contributions or demonstrated outstanding support for the citizen-soldier, minutemen of “New Jersey’s Home Town Team”, the New Jersey National Guard.

In presenting the award, General Rieth elaborated on the justification for the award. 

“Mayor Gilmore has a long record of support for veterans and especially for the men and women who proudly serve both state and nation in the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. The fact that he himself is a veteran of the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and a former member of the New Jersey National Guard make this presentation that much more meaningful and so much more satisfying.”

Since becoming Mayor less than three years ago, Gilmore has been extremely involved in veterans programs, has personally attended many of the commemorations and celebrations of major veteran holidays and milestone events, and has worked closely with Col (Ret) Frank Caprario (a former member of the 112th Field Artillery) and the Hamilton Patriotic Committee to promote appreciation and awareness of the many valuable contributions made by the men and women who serve both state and nation through their military service. This past May, thee Mayor hosted the dedication of the newest addition to the veterans memorial at Veterans Park in Hamilton … an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter donated by the National Guard. In further demonstration of his support for veterans and those who serve in uniform, Mayor Gilmore was among the first Mayors of a major suburban community to establish a Veterans Service Office at the municipal level.

In responding to the honor bestowed by General Rieth, Mayor Gilmore reiterated his appreciation for the value that the Guard adds to community, state, and nation and stated that he looked forward to continuing his close working relationship with the Guard and with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The “Good Guy” ceremony was emceed by Timothy J. Losch, of Yardville National Bank, himself a former “Good Guy”. Among the other previous recipients of the “Good Guy” are Mrs. Mary G. Roebling, Civilian Aide (Emeritus) to the Secretary of the Army (First United States Army Area), Major General Wilfred C. Menard and Major General Francis R. Gerard, both former Adjutants General.

photo by Roman M. Martyniuk