Veterans, Partners Gather to Strengthen Morris County Support Network
Published on June 22, 2026
Successful Veterans Stakeholders Meeting Held at County Veterans Services Office
More than 60 veterans, service providers and community organization representatives gathered last week at the Morris County Veterans Services Office in Morris Township for another successful New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders meeting, focused on strengthening collaboration and support for the diverse needs of the veteran community.
Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong network of resources for veterans throughout the year.
“These meetings strengthen our network of services and ensure we remain focused on veterans’ evolving needs year-round -- not just on holidays,” said Deputy Director Krickus, a Marine Corps veteran. “Years ago, a similar roundtable helped launch the CCM Veterans Resource Center. This kind of information sharing is invaluable.”
View More Photos from the Veterans Stakeholders Meeting
The meeting brought together representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the VA New Jersey Health Care System, the County College of Morris Veterans Resource Center and numerous veteran-focused organizations, including Atlantic Health System’s True North Program, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson, Community Hope, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Morris Habitat for Humanity. Local veterans’ organizations, including Montville Memorial VFW Post 5481, Morris Plains VFW Post 3401, Randolph VFW Post 7333, and Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey, also participated.
NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Co-founder Ariel "AJ" Luna, a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, announced that the “Remembering Our Fallen Moving Wall” exhibit will be at the County College of Morris Sept. 24-27, 2026. The exhibit, being displayed during the 25th anniversary of the start of the Global War on Terror, honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice while offering support to servicemembers suffering from the physical and emotional traumas brought about by the war.
The stakeholders meeting also featured updates from Christine Hellyer, director of the Morris County Office of Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming, and Jessica Tomalo, program coordinator for the Office of Veterans Services, who highlighted ongoing efforts to expand outreach and awareness of available veteran services.
Assemblywoman Aura Dunn attended, thanking veterans for their service and recognizing the organizations that continue to support them. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Reps. Tom Kean, Jr., Analilia Mejia, and Sen. Andy Kim also participated.
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Photo 1: VFW Montville Memorial Post 5481 Veterans Jim Baut and Ken Hanzl, Commissioner John Krickus and Montville Memorial Post 5481 Veteran Tom Mazzaccaro.
Photo 2: Commissioner John Krickus addressing attendees at the NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Meeting on June 16, 2026 at the Morris County Veterans Services Office.