MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to five local veterans at the county’s annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, recognizing and honoring their service to the nation.
Surrounded by family and friends, each veteran received a medal and a certificate of honor from the Commissioners, while Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw read their biographies.
Honored this year were United States Army veterans Darwin R. Martell of Wharton, Raymond Jones of Denville and Thomas Ryan of Pompton Plains; United States Air Force veteran Clifford Keezer of Boonton; and United States Army Reserve veteran Robert M. Basinski of Boonton.
“This annual ceremony is just one of many ways we recognize and honor the sacrifices of our veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year. It is a demonstration of our unwavering support for those who suspended their lives, risked their lives and, sadly, lost their lives in defense of the world’s greatest democracy,” said Director Shaw.
Joining in the presentation of medals were Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Deborah Smith, Christine Myers, Thomas Mastrangelo and Douglas Cabana.
Additional honors were presented by Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney and Navy Commander Willy Tolba from the office of United States Representative Analilia Mejia. Morris County Veterans Services Officers also presented honors that were submitted for each veteran by State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, State Senator Joseph Pennacchio and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus, a United States Marine Corps veteran, outlined the county’s efforts to expand services to local veterans through the Morris County Veterans Services Office on Hanover Avenue in Morris Township, adding service officers and increasing space at the facility.
“In fact, we were honored last month to have New Jersey’s first Veteran Advocate – Michael Embrich – who visited the facilities and praised the fact that we are one of the few counties in the entire nation whose Veterans Services Office also has a federal VA Clinic and a federal Community Access Point to provide mental health services,” Krickus said.
“Mr. Embrich, who also is a veteran, called it a model he planned to replicate throughout New Jersey,” he added.
In a special segment called “Veterans of Valor,” during which the Commissioners look back on local heroes in Morris County military history, Director Shaw highlighted two soldiers of the American Revolution as the nation closes out its yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“We celebrate two soldiers of the American Revolution, both rooted in Morris County, and who later became statesmen in our community. One later served as a Morris County Freeholder – on this board, although we are now called Commissioners. And the other became a noted Justice of the Peace and state Legislator,” Shaw said.
Captain Moses Estey was a Revolutionary War officer who served as a Morris County freeholder from 1790 to 1796. He later served as collector of internal revenue for the New Jersey District during President George Washington’s administration. His Morristown home has since been relocated to Historic Speedwell in Morristown, where it is preserved by Morris County.
Jesse Upson enlisted in the Continental Army and the Morris County Militia. Settling in Mendham Township, he served as a judge of probate, represented Morris County in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1804 to 1806 and served from 1816 to 1822 as vice president of the New Jersey Council of State, the precursor to the New Jersey Senate.
However, he is best remembered as a justice of the peace from 1803 to 1838, settling matters out of court at the Black Horse Tavern in Mendham Borough, which still operates today.
The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation continues to update the Morris County Veterans Compendium Project, an ongoing initiative to document the service of every Morris County soldier dating back to the American Revolution.
Veterans and their families seeking assistance may contact the Morris County Office of Veterans Services, 540 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, at (973) 285-6866, or visit the Morris County Veterans Services website.
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