State awards 83 medals for military service
By Kevin Penton • KEYPORT BUREAU • May 7, 2009
HOLMDEL — Among the salt-and-pepper hair and prescription glasses sported by the dozens of veterans at the state Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Thursday, 26-year-old Daniel Bogota stood out.
The trim, close-cropped veteran of the war in Afghanistan was one of only a handful of former soldiers from current conflicts who received medals from the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
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"It's an honor to be here with them," said Bogota, of Toms River, referring to the older veterans. "They're the reason I joined."
Every year, the state awards hundreds of medals at ceremonies throughout New Jersey, said Kryn Westhoven, a spokesman for the department. Many veterans prefer to receive their medals during the annual ceremony at the memorial, located off the Garden State Parkway, he said.
"Especially for the Vietnam vets, it's a special place for them," Westhoven said.
Of the 83 veterans who were honored on Thursday, 68 served in Vietnam, according to state documents. Depending on their service, the veterans received awards such as the Vietnam Service Medal and the state Distinguished Service Medal, considered New Jersey's highest military honor.
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State awards 83 medals for military service
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