(WHITE TOWNSHIP, NJ - NOVEMBER 9, 2021) - Warren County saluted its veterans and all who served, as the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed November 8-14, 2021 as National Veterans Awareness Week.

It is important to keep veterans "in the forefront of out minds," County Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said, as the board approved a proclamation that notes there has been a marked decrease in the awareness by young people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of those who have served in the Armed Forces. "It's important they learn what those sacrifices have been and why they have been made," Sarnoski remarked.

Milly Rice of The American Legion, Carl D. Archer Post 528 in White Township accepted the proclamation, as both Sarnoski and Commission Director James R. Kern II thanked her for all she does in working with and supporting veterans. Rice, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, also is secretary of the Warren County War Memorial Corp. and helps to run the County's Veterans Recognition Program.

Kern said he was happy that many events commemorating Veterans Day are taking place throughout Warren County this year, after so many were cancelled last year by the pandemic. "It's crucial that we make sure we remember the sacrifice" that so many veterans made, Kern said, adding, "We need to remember our veterans and support our veterans every day.”

Both Kern and Sarnoski are scheduled to attend events on Veterans Day. Five of Warren County's American Legion posts are hosting public ceremonies on November 11, 2021:

Hackettstown: Post 164 ceremony begins 10 a.m. at the Post home with bells sounding at 11 a.m.

White Township: Post 528 ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Brookfield community off County Road 519.

Belvidere: Post 131 ceremony at Belvidere Cemetery at 11 a.m. with refreshments and fellowship to follow at the Post.

Phillipsburg: Post 457 ceremony at 11 a.m. in Shappell Park.

Stewartsville: Post 456 is holding a social gathering with breakfast 9-11 a.m.

NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK
NOVEMBER 8-14, 2021

WHEREAS, resolved that the Senate designate the week of November 8 through 14, 2021, as “National Veterans Awareness Week”, for over the past 125 years, tens of millions of Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the United States while hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past century; and

WHEREAS, tens of millions of Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during the past century; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past century; and

WHEREAS, the contribution and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the veterans service organizations; and

WHEREAS, the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation understand the history of military action and the contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such actions; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren County Board of County Commissioners along with the Senate designates the week of November 8th through 14^th, 2021, as NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK for the purpose of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans, and we encourage the people of the United States to observe National Veterans Awareness Week in appropriate educational activities.

James R. Kern III, Director
Jason J. Sarnoski, Deputy Director
Lori Ciesla, Commissioner

Commission Director James R. Kern III and Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski present the National Veterans Awareness Week proclamation to Milly Rice of The American Legion, Carl D. Archer Post 528, White Township, NJ.