MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
NEWS RELEASE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kryn P. Westhoven at 609-902-1758 cell
(4 August, 2008)
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MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
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| IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (4 August, 2008) |
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Media Advisory
Veterans To Receive Medals During First Day Of Outreach Program Stop At Willowbrook Mall
WHAT/WHO: Awards ceremony for 41 combat veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. This begins a three-day visit to the mall of the Veterans Outreach kiosk. Retired Army Col. Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs will present the medals.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 5 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Willowbrook Mall, center court, Wayne, N.J.
DETAILS: The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will staff the kiosk from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 5, 6 and 7.
THE STORY: The ‘One Mall a Month' schedule for the Veterans Outreach Program is an effort by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to talk one-on-one with veterans or their family members about the wide variety of state and federal veterans benefits.
Ten percent of our nation's veterans receive compensation from the Veterans Administration (VA) for a service-connected disability. Here in New Jersey that number is only eight percent. With 500,000 Veterans in the Garden State, that means that there are more than 10,000 veterans who should be receiving compensation, but are not. The Veterans Outreach Program wants to find these veterans and assist them in filing their claims if they choose to do so. To find out more about this program or your veteran benefits call 1-888-8NJ-VETS.
The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal (NJ DSM) 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. 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.
In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service Medal you must meet all the following criteria: ~ currently be a resident of New Jersey, have been a resident of New Jersey at the time you entered into military service, have been honorably discharged, have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime.
The DSM can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin of a veteran who meets the criteria. Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should call 1-888-865-8387, to request an application.
NEW JERSEY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL LIST OF RECIPIENTS Willowbrook Mall - August 5, 2008
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