The award was presented at the Wildwood, N.J. Convention Center during the 2002 Annual Conference of the National Guard Association of New Jersey. More than 300 commissioned officers, warrant officers, and retired officers together with their wives and family members attended the three-day conference from April 26-28.

The conference theme this year was "American Pride." Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, the keynote speaker, highlighted the accomplishments of the National Guard in both Homeland Security and Homeland Defense following the tragic events of Sept. 11 and in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Highlights of the Conference included the annual business meeting at which numerous issues and items of concern to the state's citizen-soldiers were discussed. The program also included award presentations to the outstanding soldiers and airmen in the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard. 

More than 1,700 soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey National Guard remain on state and federal active duty providing security at Hudson River bridges and tunnels, airports, nuclear facilities and around the world. Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing headquartered in Atlantic City remain on federal active duty providing CAP (combat air patrol) cover over the northeast quadrant of North America to include New York City and Washington, D.C. Aircraft and crews from the 108th Air Refueling Wing continue to provide in-flight refueling to US Air Force, NATO, and other allied aircraft in a variety of locations as part of national security, UN Peacekeeping missions, and Humanitarian assistance missions. 

Virtually the entire senior leadership of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard were in attendance to include Maj. Gen. Richard Cosgrave, Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard; Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wondrack, Assistant Division Commander, 42nd Infantry Division, New Jersey Army National Guard; Col. Steven Widen, Commander 108th Air Refueling Wing, and Col. Michael Cosby, Commander 177th Fighter.