(BELVIDERE, NJ) – Warren County’s Distinguished Military Service medal was awarded to 47 wartime veterans in the County’s 18^th Veterans Recognition ceremony, held on Nov. 8. 2025 at the Warren County War Memorial.

The Warren County Board of County Commissioners joined the Warren County War Memorial Corporation to commemorate Veterans Day and honor all veterans, while also recognizing the men and women who have worn the uniform in the United States military during times of conflict.

This brings to 2,265 the total number of war era veterans who have been recognized since the program began in 2003 with an award to 108-year-old Julius Hausold, who was Warren County’s last surviving World War I soldier at the time. Five of the veterans were recognized posthumously in this year’s ceremony, with loved ones accepting the medal on their behalf.

During the ceremony, Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski read the 2025 Veterans and Military Families Month proclamation that the Board of County Commissioners issued recently.

“It’s truly our honor to be here today,” Director Sarnoski told the assembled veterans, adding, “It is important that we honor our veterans here in Warren County and never forget the sacrifices that you all made so that our families can live in peace.”

“To all veterans here today: your service has strengthened our nation and enriched our county,” Deputy Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla remarked. “You’ve shown us what leadership, sacrifice, and integrity look like, and for that, we are truly grateful,” she added.

“I just want to say ‘thank you’,” said Commissioner James R. Kern III. “It's you men and women who put duty before self, courage before comfort, and country before all else that lets us wake up in a nation that is safe, free, and full of opportunity. I’m thankful for that every day,” Kern said.

Warren County Veteran Coordinator/ Services Officer Jacquie Petersen spoke to the crowd as well, saying, “I have one focus, and that is to support all of you. You're worth the time, you're worth the conversation, and your service to this country matters. If you could use assistance please make an appointment.”

The honorees, along with their war era and service branch, were:

Francis P. Aiello, Vietnam, Marine Corps

Richard T. Allen, Vietnam, Army (deceased)

Maurice E. Baker, World War II, Army

Alfonso Battaglino, Vietnam, Army

Robert M. Beck, Panama, Air Force

Robert T. Beck, Korea, Army (deceased)

Stephen J. Borys, Vietnam, Navy

Harold I. Brown, Vietnam, Army

Michael Cieri, Vietnam, Army

Eric Cliff, Beirut, Marine Corps

William J. Clift, Vietnam, Army (deceased)

Stefanie Colombo, Global War on Terror, Army

Peter Colombo, Global War on Terror, Army

Anthony G. Cossio, Global War on Terror, Army

Stephen M. Czar III, Vietnam, Marine Corps

Harry W. DeLorenzo, Korea, Air Force

Johnny L. DePatto, Vietnam, Marine Corps

Thomas A. Devlin, Vietnam, Army

Emerson G. Dickson, Korea, Navy

Rocco V. DiPaolo, Vietnam, Navy

Brian J. Drum, Vietnam, Marine Corps

Arthur L. Ellis Jr., Vietnam, Army

Clifford W. Gibbs, Vietnam, Army (deceased)

John Gyorfi, World War II, Navy

George D. Hall, Korea, Marine Corps

Harold H. Hendra, World War II, Army

Gregory A. Hudson, Vietnam, Army

Walter R. Hughes Jr., Vietnam, Army

Alex J. Karmondi, Vietnam, Army

Bernard Karmondi, Global War on Terror, Army

Leroy H. Klipple, Vietnam, Air Force

Mitchell Lango, Vietnam, Army

Jack B. Long, Vietnam, Navy

Benjamin T. Lore, Global War on Terror, Army

Joseph J. Lubowiki Jr., Vietnam, Army

Robert Lubowiki, Vietnam, Navy

Kenneth Moye, Vietnam, Army

Louis H. Naumann Jr., Vietnam, Army

John E. “Ed” Palmer, Vietnam, Marine Corps

John Rega, Vietnam, Army

David L. Richards, Vietnam, Army

Bryan Romeo, Global War on Terror, Navy

William P. Sirotnak, Vietnam, Air Force

James Smith, Vietnam, Army

Robert Starrett, Vietnam, Army (deceased)

Stephan J. Stein, Global War on Terror, Army

Melvin Winters, Vietnam, Army

Warren County accepts applications for the Distinguished Military Service Award throughout the year, with ceremonies scheduled periodically. 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.

Learn more about Warren County Veteran Services, an office in the county Human Services Department, and the Warren County Veterans Recognition Program. An application for the recognition program is available to download.

Veterans and loved ones gather at the Warren County War Memorial for the 2025 Distinguished Military Service Award and Veterans Day Ceremony.

Musician Douglas Grunn of the Warren County War Memorial Corp. plays the National Anthem.

Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski reads the Veterans and Military Families Month proclamation at the 2025 Distinguished Military Service Award and Veterans Day Ceremony.

Warren County War Memorial Corp. Trustees Ed Martell and William Tietjen place a memorial wreath at the War Memorial.

Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski, assisted by Warren County War Memorial Corp. President Dennis Smith, presents the Distinguished Military Service medal to veterans at the Warren County War Memorial.