Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal and Veterans Month

The medal. "The Morris County Board of County Commissioners wishes to commemorate all veterans who served honorably in the United States Military by presenting the Distinguished Military Service Medal to eligible Morris County Residents. To qualify, you must be: Honorably discharged from the United States Armed Services; A current or former resident of Morris County ... You'll be asked to submit a copy of the veteran's discharge papers (DD-214/member 4-copy) ... Your application will be reviewed by the Veterans Service Officer and sent to the Board of Commissioners." The ceremonies. At the November 5, 2025 regular meeting the board "present unique Distinguished Military Service Medals to deserving veterans," recognizing Jack B. Bosma (Kinnelon, Navy), Vincent J. DeCaro (Randolph, Navy), Christopher Gardner (Morristown, Army), Charles E. Johnson (Dover, Army Reserves) and Robert Litrio (Hanover, Army), and heard a "Morris County's Veteran of Valor" tribute to Corporal Charles Fern Hopkins, Sr., a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient "who became known as 'Boonton's Grand Old Man.'" The 2026 Memorial Day Observance and medal presentation was held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12 p.m., 10 Court Street, Morristown. The proclamations. RES-2025-931 "Proclaiming November 2025 Veterans Month in Morris County" and RES-2025-929 "Declaring November 4 through Veterans Day on November 11, 2025 as Operation Green Light for Veterans in Morris County" were adopted October 22, 2025. The Green Light resolution recites the county's 25-plus years of medals and its "Veteran Service Office, helping veterans of all ages find assistance when needed and to successfully aid those service members who are transitioning back into civilian life." The Healing Garden of Morris, a public space "dedicated to honoring veterans and supporting their families" with the Disarm PTSD initiative at its core, was contracted between Veterans Valor of New Jersey and the Park Commission for the Frelinghuysen Arboretum (October 2025 work-session minutes).