Morris County Observes Veterans Day 2025

Jack B. Bosma served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 2006, including serving during the Cold War and the Global War on Terror. He spent a dozen years of his 23 years of service overseas.

He is the recipient of two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Navy Unit Commendations, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Navy Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, five Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, nine Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, and the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Processing Military Education Ribbon.

During his military service, Mr. Bosma earned his associate degree from Central Texas College, a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University, and a Master of Science from Michigan State University.

Since retiring from military service, Mr. Bosma has worked in content creation, curriculum development and career counseling. He has more than 20 years of international experience and workforce development.

Mr. Bosma gives back to his community by engaging and empowering others.

Vincent J. DeCaro of Randolph Township served in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2013 during the Global War on Terror.

He is the recipient of the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon also known as the “E” Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Rifle Marksmanship with Bronze “S” Device, Pistol Marksmanship with Bronze “S” Device and the Enlisted SeaBee Combat Warfare Specialist Breast Insignia.

Mr. DeCaro earned his associate degree in finance from the County College of Morris and his bachelor’s degree in finance at Rider University. 

After separating from service, he worked in Construction Management and Real estate development with RC Andersen LLC. 

Mr. DeCaro gives back to his community by volunteering for charities including the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts of America and the American Cancer Society. 

Mr. DeCaro, along with his parents Lynn and Joe DeCaro and his brother Anthony DeCaro are proud Morris County residents.

Christopher Gardner of Morristown served with the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2012 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics from Ohio State University, MBA in supply chain management from Michigan State University and Master of Science in applied analytics from Pepperdine University.

Mr. Gardner is currently the Senior Manager of Global Transportation for Verizon. He gives back to his community as Senior Vice Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3401.

Charles E. Johnson of Dover served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1981 to 1993 during the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm.

Mr. Johnson is the recipient of the Expert Qualification Badge Rifle M-16 and the Army Service Ribbon.

Following his military service, he attended University of Florida to become certified dietary manager and subsequently worked as a chef and general manager for dining services. He also worked in accounting.

Mr. Johnson gives back to his community by serving as a deacon at the Union Baptist Church in Morristown and is a Past Master of Tyrian Lodge #34 Morristown and an active board member of the charity Tyrian Widow Son.

He is a loving husband, father of three, grandfather of five and has one great grandson. He is an ardent Yankees fan and enjoys going to games with his friend.

Robert Litrio of Hanover Township served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam War era. For his service, he was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal.

Following his military service, Mr. Litrio attended college and worked in electrical sales.

He gives back to his community as an active member of American Legion Post #59.

This Veteran is a proud family man with seven grandchildren. He enjoys golf, metal detecting and painting. 

Ronald Pierantozzi of Pequannock is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1978 to 1982.  He is the recipient of two Navy Expeditionary Medals for actions during the Iranian hostage crisis and in Yemen. He also received the Good Conduct Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

Following his military service, Mr. Pierantozzi built a diverse career in engineering and education, working for the Waldorf Astoria, New York Hilton, and Weill Cornell Medicine, and teaching at Passaic County Technical Vocational School. He is a small business founder and inventor and holds a U.S. Patent for the Centrifugal Kinetic Power Turbine.

A longtime volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, he spent more than 25 years mentoring youth. Now retired, he continues to pursue advancement of the renewable energy industry.

Mr. Pierantozzi is happily married, with seven children and three grandsons. He enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with family. 

Aniceto Rivera of Boonton Township served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966 during the Vietnam era. He served in Operation Power Pack in 1965, when the 82^nd Airborne deployed to stabilize the revolution-torn Dominican Republic.

He is the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge (also known as jump wings), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, U.S. Army Commendation Medal, and U.S. Army Special Forces Commendation Medal.

Following his military service, Mr. Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He went on to work for Prudential Financial for 46 years, where he became a vice president.

He gave back to his community by volunteering with the Morristown Medical Center for several years and coaching Little League baseball.

He is also a master scuba diver and a private pilot. 

He and his wife Susan have been married for 51 years. They are the proud parents of Jason Rivera, who works as a professional firefighter.

Samuel Y. Yuen of Randolph Township served in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 1995 during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

For his service, he was awarded for two tours as Coast Guard Special Operations, received the Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, also known as the “E” Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. 

Mr. Yuen is a systems engineer with Atlantic Health Systems. He gives back to his community as an active participant in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7333. 

Raymund Bielski of Rockaway Township served in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For his service, he earned three Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar, and two Overseas Service Ribbons.

Mr. Bielski served as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Hull Mechanic and later as a Track Vehicle Mechanic, with assignments that included duty stations in Georgia, Korea, and Colorado. He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

Following his military service, Mr. Bielski worked for the U.S. Postal Service before beginning his long career with the Garfield Police Department.
He holds an associate degree in applied sciences from Paul Smith’s College and a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park management from West Virginia University.

Joseph Pasirstein of Parsippany–Troy Hills is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1970 to 1976.

For his military service, he earned the Rifle M16 Expert Marksmanship Badge.

Following his service, Mr. Pasirstein earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Management Science from Stevens Institute of Technology. He went on to work for the U.S. Department of Defense industrial base.

He remains active in his community and enjoys traveling, photography, and participating in chess and bridge clubs.

Richard R. Reck of Randolph Township served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 as a squad leader, team leader, and machine gunner, and was honorably discharged in 1972.

For his military service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Korea Defense Medal, and Imjin Scout Non-Commissioned Medal.

Mr. Reck attended the New York Institute of Technology, Hunter College, and Pace College. He enjoyed a 35-year career in the communications and information industry, holding leadership roles in security, disaster recovery, logistics, and training with AT&T, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Bell Communications Research, and Telcordia Technologies.

An ordained deacon in the Diocese of Paterson, Mr. Reck serves at Resurrection Parish in Randolph, where he leads Mass, assists with the Men’s Fellowship and Men of Faith programs, and supports retreats for adults and youth. He also ministers to the sick, homebound and hospitalized parishioners.

He remains active in veterans’ causes as chaplain of VFW Post 7333, a board member of Mary Queen of All Nations, and a volunteer at Lyons Veterans Administration Hospital and Brightview Senior Living.

A Morris County resident for more than 35 years, Mr. Reck has been married for more than 40 years and is the proud father of two daughters and several grandchildren. He enjoys coaching youth sports and serving his community.