WHO: Nearly 100 residents will be honored by Brig. Gen. (retired) Frank Carlini and the staff of the Veterans Memorial Home

WHAT: This ceremony will honor eligible veterans with State and County Military Service Medals, to include presentation of the 17 New Jersey Distinguish Service Medals and Federal Cold War Recognition Certificates

WHEN: Monday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Vineland Veterans Memorial Home, Administration Building – Auditorium, 524 North West Blvd., Vineland

Details: The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was used infrequently until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988.  After the Spanish American War, the Mexican Border Expedition and again after World War I, the State of New Jersey minted special medals for returning N.J. veterans to honor their service.  After World War II, Korea, Vietnam and subsequent combat actions no such medal was available.  The State of New Jersey was looking for an appropriate way to honor all of these returning combat veterans and acknowledge the debt the state owed them for their service.  The N.J. DSM was then authorized for that purpose. It is New Jersey's highest military award.  Since its re-authorization in 1988, more than 30,000 medals have been awarded to combat veterans from New Jersey.