The Burlington County Commissioners recognized the service of 39 veterans and the families of 11 deceased veterans during the annual Military Service Medal Ceremony held Thursday. The event is part of a county program that has awarded thousands of medals to local veterans since its inception in 2002.
Among those honored was the family of Marine Corporal Edward Lipinsky from Delran, who served in World War II and was wounded at Iwo Jima in 1945. After recovering from his injuries, Lipinsky returned home, raised a family, and later became mayor of Delran before passing away in 1993.
“Burlington County is proud to recognize the brave women and men who protect this nation,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, who serves as the board’s liaison to military affairs. “These medals are a way for our county to express our gratitude to veterans and their families for all they have done and sacrificed. We want them to know their service is appreciated and their County is here to assist them if needed.”
“These medals are a small gesture of thanks from our county to those who chose to give all to defend our country,” added Commissioner Randy Brolo. “We can never fully express our gratitude, but we want all veterans in Burlington County to know your County appreciates you and your service, and we are here to help.”
Other officials present included Commissioner Tom Pullion, State Senator Troy Singleton, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, and Assemblywoman Andrea Katz.
“I’m proud Burlington County holds this medal ceremony every year for those veterans who stepped forward to defend our nation,” said Senator Singleton. “It’s a way to honor them and their service. It also reminds us of our shared responsibility to work together to make sure our country remains worthy of their sacrifices.”
“A big part of honoring our veterans is making sure our current and future generations understand the sacrifices they made for every one of us,” added Assemblywoman Murphy. “Today’s ceremony was another reminder of the debt we owe to them and their families. It’s one of the ways our county offers to say thank you and to honor them for their service.”
“Keeping our promises to the men and women who stood watch and defended this country must always be at the top of our priorities, regardless of whether we are in state, county or local government,” said Assemblywoman Katz. “We owe our veterans a debt of honor that can never be fully repaid. We must always remember and make it our duty to always recognize and honor them and their families.”
Any veteran living in Burlington County with an honorable discharge is eligible for the decoration, as well as deceased veterans who resided in the county. Registration forms can be obtained by calling 609-265-5008 or online at https://burlingtoncounty.formstack.com/forms/application_for_the_burlington_county_military_service_medal.
Registering helps keep veterans informed about available programs; so far this year, more than $9.7 million in compensation and benefits have been secured for local veterans through these efforts.
Veterans in Burlington County also have access to free adoptions from the animal shelter, veteran identification cards, free DD214 registration, as well as a cemetery care program that maintains gravesites.
Burlington County operates under a Board of County Commissioners with five at-large members overseeing services across New Jersey’s largest county by area—827 square miles—including three cities, six boroughs, 31 townships, historic parks such as Smithville Park spanning over 300 acres with natural features like forests and wetlands, library services aimed at personal development opportunities for residents, recognition programs such as Outstanding Women awards celebrating community contributions by women leaders—and encompasses a total of 40 political subdivisions (https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/).
