Morris County Honors Seniors Enlisting in U.S. Armed Forces

Commissioner Presents Certificate Recognizing 10th Anniversary of FDU Ceremony

Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw joined Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) President Michael Avaltroni, state, local and military officials, and community representatives last week at FDU’s Florham campus to honor 90 high school seniors from the Class of 2026 who have enlisted in the U.S. armed forces.

The event, which included the students participating in a ceremonial Oath of Enlistment administered by retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Edward Chrystal, marked the 10th anniversary of Our Community Salutes of North Jersey. The program, hosted by FDU, recognizes graduating seniors who are entering military service after high school. Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2009, that supports enlistees and their families as they transition into military service. Each spring, OCS honors thousands of military-bound high school graduates in Enlistee Recognition Ceremonies across the nation.

Director Shaw presented a certificate of honor on behalf of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners to President Avaltroni and Dr. Martha Papson Garcia, director of veterans services at FDU and a U.S. Army veteran, in recognition of the university’s decade of leadership in hosting the annual event. He also provided Morris County Certificates of Honor to student enlistees from Morris County.

“Your decision reflects courage, commitment and a willingness to stand for something greater than yourselves, and we thank you,” Director Shaw told the enlistees. “This year’s ceremony is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence. Here in Morris County, we are closely reminded of the sacrifices made to secure our freedom, as General George Washington and the Continental Army fought for our nation’s independence from British rule. Freedom endures because of those willing to defend it -- individuals like you.”

View Photos from the Our Community Salutes of North Jersey Ceremony

The ceremony, coordinated by FDU’s Office of Veterans Services, featured the national anthem performed by the United States Military Academy Regimental Brass Quintet. Speakers included retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Sands, president of the New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution; Assemblywomen Aura K. Dunn and Marisa Sweeney; and Assemblyman Brian Bergen, a U.S. Army combat veteran.

FDU has hosted the OCS of North Jersey ceremony since 2017. The university also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps eligible veterans attend the college with full tuition coverage.

During his remarks, Director Shaw highlighted Morris County’s continued investment in veterans services and support for their families. Over the past four years, Morris County has doubled the size of its Veterans Services Office space while adding a fourth veterans service officer and a seasonal intern. In addition to services provided at the county’s Veterans Services Office at 540 West Hanover Ave. in Morris Township, a veterans services officer is available weekly at the County College of Morris Veterans Resource Center.

Director Shaw also noted that Morris County maintains the Morris County Veterans Compendium through its Office of Planning and Preservation, an online archive dedicated to collecting and compiling the stories of local veterans dating back to the American Revolution.

Morris County’s next veterans recognition ceremony will take place May 20 on Court Street in Morristown, where 12 veterans will receive the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal during the county’s annual Memorial Day observance. The ceremony will include a tribute to Continental Army soldiers who died at Jockey Hollow during the Revolutionary War as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration. The event will be livestreamed on the Morris County Government Facebook page.

For information about Morris County veterans services and programs, visit morriscountynj.gov/Residents/Community-Information/For-Veterans.

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Photo 1 & 2: Group photos of the student enlistees at FDU’s Our Community Salutes of North Jersey ceremony on May 6, 2026.

Photo 3: Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw speaking at the FDU OCS of North Jersey ceremony.