PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ (Jan. 7, 2015) --Brig. Gen. Patrick W. Burden, Senior Commander at Picatinny Arsenal, was among military and civilian leaders on hand Jan 6. for the signing of three bills designed to recognize and support veterans in New Jersey.
Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State Kim Guadagno, serving as acting New Jersey governor, signed the bills at American Legion Post 348 in Brick Township before an audience that included veterans, service members, lawmakers and a gold star mother. Representatives from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Naval Weapons Station Earle were also present.
The bills signed were:
S-1027 -- Designates Route 35 Bridge between Brielle and Point Pleasant Beach as "Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge."
SJR-41 -- Designates the second full week of every November as "Veterans Education Awareness Week."
A-2184 -- Requires issuance of one free copy of a veteran's death certificate to certain authorized persons upon request.
Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee of the State of New Jersey, which wrote the bill, noted that thousands of people have had to pay for a death certificate for a loved one lost in combat.
"I never saw a bill where everyone was so willing to work together and that is because of you," Tucker noted.
The New Jersey Adjutant General, Air Force Brig. Gen. Mike Cunniff, said that 409,000 veterans call New Jersey home.
"We are standing here in peace in a troubled world," Guadagno said. "We take comfort from knowing that our service men and women are skilled and committed. Today shows our commitment to all of those who have given the oath of service to our nation. You have done for us something you cannot put a price tag on."
Social Sharing