The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will hold its annual New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony on May 7 at 11 a.m.
May 7 was created by legislation in 1991 as a unique day in New Jersey to honor all those who served in the military during the Vietnam Era from 1959 to 1975.
More than 200,000 New Jersey residents served in the armed forces during that time, according to a press release.
The guest speakers will include former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and her husband, Vietnam veteran John R. Whitman, whose leadership was influential in the completion and dedication of the memorial, according to the press release.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial.
On Veterans Day 1982, a group of New Jersey Vietnam veterans realized the need for a state memorial. After years of hard work and planning, the New Jersey VietnamVeterans’Memorial was dedicated on May 7, 1995.
Broadcast live on NJN television, in attendance were Gov. Whitman, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and more than 15,000 veterans, family members and dignitaries from across the United States.
Accompanied by U.S. Sen. John Mc- Cain of Arizona, Whitman also dedicated the Vietnam Era Educational Center on Sept. 27, 1998.
In addition, during this year’s ceremony the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will be awarding a number of New Jersey State medals. These include the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
There will be free admission for all visitors on May 7, and the Vietnam Era Educational Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Vietnam Era Educational Center is adjacent to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at exit 116 in Holmdel. The memorial is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.