Norus Achmetov served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. After graduating from St. Peter’s College in 1968, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and later promoted to first lieutenant. He served as a cavalry officer with the newly reorganized 78th Division, a Maneuver Training Command at Fort Dix. As an armor training officer, he evaluated armor and mechanized infantry units throughout the Northeast.

Mr. Achmetov earned the National Defense Service Medal and received commendations for his service with the 1st Battalion School Brigade at the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox. He remained in military service until his discharge in 1981 and continued participating in Department of Defense programs afterward.

In addition to his military service, Achmetov has remained active in veterans organizations throughout Morris County and New Jersey. He serves as director of veterans outreach for Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey, is vice commander of the Morris County American Legion, and is active with NJ SOS Vets, a stakeholder organization affiliated with Catholic Charities. He is also a member of American Legion Post 59 in Morristown.

George Anthony Arathorn served in the U.S. Army from April 1999 to August 2001 during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

He earned the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Second Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar.

Following his military service, Mr. Arathorn worked as an engineering manager for UTC Aerospace Technologies and Siemens Healthcare Laboratories before serving as a principal engineering project management specialist for Medtronic Inc.

He earned an MBA in management from Centenary University, a bachelor’s degree in computer and electrical engineering, and an associate degree in electromechanical engineering from New York City College of Technology. He also received a diploma in military excellence from the U.S. Air Defense Artillery Academy.

Mr. Arathorn remains active in civic and veterans organizations. He serves as a lay minister at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Budd Lake, is a VIP supporter of Fraternal Order of Police Mount Olive Lodge No. 122, and is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Association.

Joel Patrick Branosky served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve from 1995 to 2023 during the Global War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom.

For his military service, he has earned the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and numerous additional service and reserve awards.

Mr. Branosky earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Rutgers University, a Master of Education from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education,

and an MBA from George Washington University. He also completed Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and Squadron Officer School.

Professionally, he worked as a management consultant with Northrop Grumman and currently serves as a math instructor at St. Francis Academy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Boonton.

Outside of his professional career, Mr. Branosky has been active in youth athletics, Scouting, and veterans and civic organizations. He serves as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 25 and den leader for Pack 7, and is active with Christ the King Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. He also enjoys hiking, camping, spending time with his family, and following the Philadelphia Phillies.

John A. Hendricks served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve during the Vietnam War era. He served as company commander of the 32nd Data Processing Unit of the First Logistical Command at Fort Hood, Texas, and was also stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and Fort Lee, Virginia.

Mr. Hendricks earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University in New Brunswick and graduated from the Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania.

After his military service, he worked for the New York Telephone Company, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, Horizon Bancorp, and the Allegro School.

He has been active in civic and parish life, serving on the Hanover Township Environmental Commission for 43 years. He also served with the Knights of Columbus and as president of the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Council. He is a member of American Legion Post 155 and a supporter of the West Point Association of Graduates.

Mr. Hendricks has also been involved in youth sports coaching and community activities, including the St. Patrick’s Parade of Morris County planning committee. He is a Rutgers season ticket holder and enjoys traveling, college sports, Irish cultural activities, and time with his family, including his wife, Kathleen, three children, and three grandchildren.

Lee Karosen served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Marksmanship Badge with the M-14, and the Sharpshooter Badge with the M-16.

Following his military service, Mr. Karosen worked as a civil trial attorney and was a partner of a law firm where he led a staff of 28 attorneys.

He has been active in youth sports, coaching Little League baseball and basketball at the YMCA. He is a member of the Bogan Fishing Hall of Fame and enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Francesco A. Piserchia served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1985 to 1987 and in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 2002 to 2006 during the periods of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned the Army Service Ribbon, Marksman Badge with Rifle, National Defense Service Ribbon, and U.S. Navy Expert Pistol Ribbon.

During his Army Reserve service, Mr. Piserchia was assigned to the 322nd General Hospital at Picatinny Arsenal. In the Naval Reserve, he served with Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21, known as the “Blackjack Battalion” of the Seabees. He also performed as pianist and drum major with the 78th Division Band, and his final duty assignment was with the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

Between his reserve service, Mr. Piserchia graduated from the Middlesex County Police Academy and served with the Belleville Police Department until his retirement. He also served for 35 years as an emergency medical technician. He currently works as a security dispatcher and Health and Safety Institute emergency medical responder and basic life support instructor with Erickson Senior Living in Pequannock.

Mr. Piserchia is a member of American Legion Post 246 and the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department, and serves as president of the Marvin G. Shields Chapter of the Association of the United States Navy. He and his wife, Marybeth, have three children.

Dominick Sabol served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1972 during the Vietnam War era, including service in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He earned the National Defense

Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

A graduate of Paterson High School, Mr. Sabol went on to work as a technical director for ABC Television following his military service. He remains active in veterans organizations and serves as vice commander of the Morris County American Legion.

Mr. Sabol has been married for 57 years and is the father of two children. Reflecting on his deployment to Vietnam, he recalled discussing marriage with his future wife before leaving for service. “I went to Paterson Tech,” he said. “She graduated from Eastside, and a few years later, she knew I was going to Vietnam. I asked her to marry me.”

In his spare time, Mr. Sabol enjoys building engines and drag racing.

Herbert M. Teisch served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era.

Assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, he worked as a radio repairman. In October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was deployed to Fort Stewart, Georgia, as part of forces prepared to invade Cuba if ordered. For that service, he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Ribbon. He also received the Expert Marksman Badge for the M-1 rifle.

Following his military service, Mr. Teisch worked as an electronic technician in high-energy physics at a national laboratory before continuing his education. He earned an associate degree and later graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and an MBA in management. He went on to serve as an executive with several retail department stores, worked as a retail consultant for a major accounting firm, and was part owner of a computer and office equipment company.

Mr. Teisch also served as chairman of the cemetery committee at his church. A widower, he was married for 56 years and is the father of three children and grandfather of three grandchildren. He resides at Cedar Crest Village in Pequannock, where he is active in the hiking club and enjoys Scrabble and trivia.

Thomas A. Walbridge served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1982 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

Following his military service, Mr. Walbridge attended electrical apprentice training school and earned his electrician’s license. He has volunteered his time performing electrical repairs for senior citizens in his community.

Mr. Walbridge enjoys classic television shows and movies, spending time with his family and pets, and working outdoors in his garden and yard.

Raymond Martinelli served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1995 to 1998 during Operation Desert Storm/Shield. For his military service, he earned several commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Overseas Deployment Medal, and Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.

Mr. Martinelli continued his education after military service, earning degrees from the County College of Morris and the University of Alabama, and is also a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy.

Professionally, he built a career in supply chain management and operations leadership, with more than 30 years of experience supporting domestic and international organizations. His work has contributed to productivity and efficiency standards within Fortune 100 companies.

Cornelius John Lagala served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He earned the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Following his military service, Lagala worked as an electrical draftsman and mechanical designer, including at the World Trade Center during the 1993 terrorist attack.

Mr. Lagala is currently a resident of Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains. He remains active in his community, visiting veterans homes with his wife to entertain residents through music and bingo programs. At Cedar Crest, he participates in

Jazz Hour and the woodworking club. He is also the author of the memoir “Why?” available on Amazon.

Christopher Okocha served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard from 2022 to 2026, including support assignments with the New York Army National Guard during Operation Asylum Seeker Support. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Mr. Okocha earned a degree in information technology and has worked in law enforcement, including service as a police officer assigned to the White House.

He is committed to public service and also volunteers to assist homeless veterans through programs with the Veterans Administration. He enjoys spending time with his family and serving his country.

Akash Shah served in the U.S. Air Force from 2004 to 2008 during the War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as an ammunition specialist and earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Mr. Shah earned a bachelor’s degree in intelligence studies with a concentration in special operations and low-intensity conflict. Following his military service, he continued his work in national defense as an explosives expert with the Department of Defense.

He is married and the father of three children. In his free time, Mr. Shah enjoys basketball, weightlifting and spending time with his family.

William W. Stepic served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. He earned the Army of Occupation Medal for service in Germany.

Mr. Stepic was drafted while attending night school at the City College of New York. Following his military service, he returned to school as a full-time student, completed an accelerated course schedule, and earned a degree in electrical engineering. He later worked at ITT Federal Laboratories in Nutley, N.J. until his retirement.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Stepic was recognized by the New York Yankees as the honorary Veteran of the Game at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2026.