Morris County Honors 14 Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony
Published on May 21, 2025
Event Also Honors Fallen Heroes, Including 10 Iwo Jima Marines
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners today honored 14 local veterans and remembered those who gave their lives in service to our nation during the county’s Annual Memorial Day Observance held in the Commissioners Public Meeting Room in Morristown.
The event traditionally held outside the historic Morris County Courthouse was moved indoors due to inclement weather. State legislators and representatives from congressional offices joined county officials in recognizing veterans whose service spanned from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“These medals are unique to Morris County, though they’ve been copied in many ways. We began issuing them in 1999 to honor World War II veterans on the 55th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion and the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. We expanded the medals to include Vietnam and Korea, as well as general service in our military during other conflicts, and later added medals for service in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Director Selen.
Watch the Full Morris County Memorial Day Observance
View Photos of the Ceremony
Sen. Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Assemblyman Michael Inganamort and representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Tom Kean Jr. presented honors alongside the commissioners, who awarded the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals. Honors issued by the office of Sen. Joseph Pennacchio also were presented by county Veteran Services Officers.
The keynote address was delivered by Maj. Aaron Oliver, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran and chaplain of the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the New Jersey Army National Guard. Maj. Oliver, who deployed to Iraq in 2024 during Operation Inherent Resolve and earned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service, reflected on the meaning of military service and the lasting bonds forged in uniform. He shared the story of Staff Sgt. Jorge Oliveira, a friend and fellow guardsman who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.
“Jorge was 33 years old. I remember the feeling that those of us who served with him got when he died-- like being punched in the stomach,” said Oliver. “I vowed in my service that I would do what I could so that his memory would endure and that his sacrifice would not be in vain.”
“A Look Back on a Morris County Hero”
The ceremony also continued a tradition of paying tribute to fallen Morris County servicemembers. As this year marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Deputy Director Stephen Shaw honored 10 Morris County Marines who died in the pivotal World War II battle.
“Eighty years ago, on February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, launching what would become one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific campaign,” said Deputy Director Shaw. Among those who served in Iwo Jima, at least 40 were known residents of Morris County. Ten of those soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. During the 36 days of battle, Morris County lost a Marine nearly every other day. Today, we honor those ten brave men and remember their names.”
Learn More About the 10 Morris County Marines Killed in Iwo Jima
The program opened with a bagpipe processional by Chief Robert McNally of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Joint Honor Guard presented the colors. Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, of the Morris-Sussex Vicinage, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Lakeview School of Denville Select Choir performed the National Anthem. An invocation was delivered by the Rev. Michael Muller of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Lakes.
The event concluded with the laying of a memorial wreath by Sheriff James Gannon. Chief McNally performed “Amazing Grace” on the pipes and Michael J. Del Vecchio, Korean War Veteran & National Drum Corps Hall-of-Fame bugler, played “Taps” outside the meeting room.
The Lakeview choir closed the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless America.”
“I came to America from Turkey nearly three decades ago with very little, but I knew I was embarking on a new and enriching life because I was in the land of opportunity. To all the veterans here today, and to those who came before you, thank you for making this country what it is: The greatest country on Earth,” said Director Selen.
A reception with hot dogs and refreshments followed the ceremony.
See Details of All Our Honored Veterans & Their Biographies
The veterans honored on May 21, 2025 included:
- Robert C. Barton, Parsippany-Troy Hills
- Timothy A. Cooney, Parsippany-Troy Hills
- Lawrence J. Ganley, Montville Township
- Robert J. Mallon, Morris Township
- Keith McConnell, Morris Plains
- John A. Perez, Long Hill Township
- Carmen Turrisi, East Hanover
- Thomas R. Frodella Sr., Chester Township
- Thomas R. Frodella Jr., Chester Township
- Dennis W. Becker II, Mount Olive
- James J. Long, Parsippany-Troy Hills
- Edward Leahy, Roxbury Township
- Thomas H. Salvas, Chatham Township
- Frank Giannini (posthumous), Morristown
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Photo 1: Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith presents a Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal to John A. Perez. To the left is Jessica Tomalo, Program Coordinator of the Morris County Veterans Services Office and Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen is at the podium.
Photo 2: Among those applauding a medal recipient are fellow medal recipients Lawrence J. Ganley and James J. Long. Standing in the background are recipients Thomas R. Frodella, Sr. and son Thomas R. Frodella, Jr. The crowd was standing room only for the Morris County Commissioners Memorial Day Ceremony and presentation of Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals.
Photo 3: Playing Taps is Michael J. Del Vecchio, a Korean War Veteran and National Drum Corps Hall-of-Fame bugler. At right is bagpiper Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Robert McNally.