MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
NEWS RELEASE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kryn P. Westhoven at 609-530-6950/Cell 609-902-1758
(18 May, 2009)
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MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
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| IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (18 May, 2009) |
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Media Advisory
County Residents To Receive State Military Awards At Hamilton Mall
WHO: More than two-dozen veterans of Atlantic (14), Cumberland (4), Burlington, Cape May, Salem and Gloucester counties will be awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal during the Veterans Outreach kiosk visit. Retired Army Col. Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will present the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal along with other state awards for service to state and nation.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 19 at 10: 30 a.m.
WHERE:
Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing DETAILS: The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will staff the kiosk from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 19, 20 and 21.
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 nearly 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 was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia. In 1988 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.
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 and have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime. For additional information visit: www.nj.gov/military/veterans/awards/distinguished_service/index.html
The next presentation of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal and other state service medals will take place on Tuesday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m., Ocean County Mall, Toms River.
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal List of Recipients
Hamilton Mall - May 19, 2009
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