Bruce Hilling is honored by Valley veterans group

President Ken Baker: "Bruce truly is an officer and a gentleman"

By John Tredrea
   Former Hopewell Township Administrator Bruce Hilling was honored by the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association on Feb. 26 for his leadership in forming that association and in the ongoing creation of the Hopewell Valley Veterans Park.
   "Before Bruce got involved, there was no association and no Veterans Park project," association member Bill Meytrott said at the ceremony, held at H.I. Rib restaurant.
   "If it had not been for Bruce’s ideas and his putting them into practice, I don’t know if any of this would have happened. Especially for someone not born and raised in this area, it was a remarkable thing." Mr. Meytrott, Pennington’s public safety director, is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War.
   Mr. Hilling, who lives in Eatontown, was township administrator for two years. A 22-year Army veteran, he took the lead in working for the Veterans Park soon after coming on board at the township. The park is off Route 546 near the township’s Public Works Building. The Hopewell Valley Veterans Association was formed as the effort to create the park proceeded and is raising funds to complete the park.
   "Bruce truly is an officer and a gentleman," association President Ken Baker said during the ceremony. "His hard work and dedication were very important in helping create the Veterans Association and Veterans Park."
   A retired U.S. Army colonel, Mr. Baker lives in Pennington.
   Mr. Hilling said that, although he no longer works here, he would continue his active membership in the association.
   "I’m a veteran and I always will be a veteran . . . my son is a soldier (Mr. Hilling’s son is a West Point grad who has served in Iraq). There is a special bond among us who have been in the military. We’re of a special who breed who go out and do what has to be done for our country."
   Township police Chief George Meyer said, "On behalf of the township employees, I want to say that it was a pleasure to work with Bruce. I know that he was very supportive of me as I went through the process of becoming chief."
   Chief Meyer replaced Michael Chipowsky, who retired, during Mr. Hilling’s tenure as administrator.