On
April 6, Gov. James E. McGreevey (center), the Commander-in-Chief of
the New Jersey National Guard assisted by Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth
(left), The Adjutant General, raised the Army Flag at Drumthwacket in
celebration of Army Day.
More than 400 people attended the event. The day’s events included Governor McGreevey presenting the state’s highest military honor, the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to several members of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Also recognized for their contributions to state and nation were several Army Guardsmen recently returned from participation in NATO peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, as well as Guardsmen currently involved in Homeland Security missions.
The Governor praised New Jersey’s citizen-soldiers, "In the wake of Sept. 11, the New Jersey Army National Guard have guarded the Lincoln Tunnel, Newark Airport, our bridges, and our power plants in an effort to protect the safety and security of our state and our nation. I would like to personally thank the men and women who have served our state - not just here at home, but abroad as well - for their continued bravery, dedication and heroism." Army Day was created by an act of Congress in 1937.