A World War II airman, a sailor from the Korean War and other veterans from conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan were honored as the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders held its 16^th War Veterans Recognition Ceremony.

The annual recognition program was held at the Warren County War Memorial, located next to the Courthouse, where a total of 24 veterans – 18 who were present or represented by a loved one – were saluted.

“It’s truly our honor to be here today,” Freeholder Director Jason J. Sarnoski told the assembled veterans. “We want to honor all of our veterans in Warren County,” he said, vowing to continue the program as long as there are war era veterans to be recognized.

With the addition of these 24, Warren County has now recognized a total of 2,197 war era veterans since the freeholders, working with the Warren County War Memorial Corp., launched the program in 2003.

After remarks from the three freeholders and other officials, the veterans were presented with the Warren County Distinguished Military Service Medal, replica lapel pin, and a certificate.

Sarnoski and his board colleagues, as well as state Sen. Michael Doherty, Assemblyman John DiMaio, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and NJ Veterans Services Officer Sibley Smith, delivered remarks praising the veterans for their sacrifices and thanking them for their service.

“Our democracy would never last if not for our military,” Freeholder Richard D. Gardner said, while Freeholder James R. Kern, III noted, “I’m thankful every day for all you’ve done for our country.”

The Vietnam war era is the most represented at this ceremony, with 18 of the honorees having served during that war, followed by the conflict in Iraq where three of the veterans served. One veteran each from World War II, Korea, and the war in Afghanistan were honored.

The honorees include five Army veterans, nine who served in the Navy, six from the Air Force, and four Marines.

The honorees were:

William C. Ahern, Vietnam, Air Force; Charles L. Barabas, Jr., Vietnam, Marines; William Jacob Beegle, World War II, Air Force; Robert Francis Boehs, Vietnam, Navy (recognized posthumously); Edward M. Caufield, Vietnam, Navy; Edward M. Caufield, Jr., Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army; Michael W. Cavalla, Vietnam, Navy; Sal Consentino, Vietnam, Navy; Robert Lyle Dunlap, Korea, Navy; Ronald Duryea, Vietnam, Air Force;

Also, Michael J. Esposito, Vietnam, Marines; Dominic J. Fortino, Vietnam, Army; Eugene Noel Gardiner, Vietnam, Air Force; Vincent W. Gruccio, Jr., Afghanistan, Navy; Richard F. Hockin, Jr., Vietnam, Marines; Ballard Bruce Hogg, Jr., Vietnam, Air Force; Adam Ryan Jones, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army National Guard; Dennis S. Kosa, Vietnam, Navy; Anthony Meilinger, Vietnam, Marines’ and Wayne R. Morris, Vietnam, Air Force; Victor Myers, Vietnam, Navy; George W. Paffendorf, Vietnam, Army; Arnold Jay Solomon, Vietnam, Army; and F. Thomas Starrs, Iraq / Arabian Peninsula / Persian Gulf / Bosnia, Navy.

Warren County accepts applications throughout the year and holds the ceremony each spring. Applications are available by contacting the Warren County Public Information Department at 908-475-6580.

Current and former county residents, living or deceased, are eligible for the recognition, provided they served honorably during one of the recognized wartime periods from World War I through the present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. For peace-keeping missions and conflicts other than the two World Wars, Korea and Vietnam, the veteran must have served on active duty in the geographic area or on a ship patrolling the territorial waters of the nation.

The veteran must have been a Warren County resident at the time he or she entered the service, or be a current resident of Warren County. In the case of posthumous recognition, the veteran must have been a County resident either when he or she entered the service or at the time of his or her death. Proof of service, such as a DD 214 form, is required.

Photo: Richard F. Hockin, Jr., a Vietnam War era Marine, is congratulated by Freeholder Director Jason J. Sarnoski after receiving the Warren County Distinguished Military Service Medal, as Freeholder Richard D. Gardner and Freeholder James R. Kern, III wait to offer their thanks for his service.