Photo Caption: Harleysville resident Sgt. 1st Class Orey L. Ferrell (right) receives the Army Commendation Medal from Lt. Col. Rand S. Danielson (left), Commander, 50th Personnel Support Battalion during a ceremony held at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville.

Sgt. 1st Class Ferrell received the award for outstanding service as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Food Service Section of the 50th Personnel Support Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard from May 5 to Nov. 10, 2002.  “Through Sgt. 1st Class Ferrell’s guidance, the 50th has earned Best Food Service in the New Jersey Army National Guard, was the Army Regional winner, and placed second in the internationally recognized Philip A. Connelly Award Competition,” stated Lt. Col. Danielson.  “Sgt. 1st Class Ferrell has continually led by example and has been directly responsible for the outstanding performance of his section.   These achievements reflect great credit upon Sgt. 1st Class Ferrell, the New Jersey Army National Guard and the proud tradition of the 50th Personnel Support Battalion.”  The Army Commendation Medal is awarded for heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

On Jan. 23, the Department of the Army and the International Food Service Executives Association announced the winners of the 2003 Philip A. Connelly Competition.  The 50th Personnel Service Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard, placed second out of more than 3,700 units in the Army National Guard category throughout the entire United States.  This was the first time a New Jersey Army National Guard unit had placed at this level in the annual Philip A. Connelly Award competition.