WESTAMPTON – The Burlington County Commissioners honored the service of dozens of veterans and their family members Thursday during the annual Burlington County Military Service Medal Ceremony.
Thirty-nine veterans from various eras received Burlington County Military Service Medals during the ceremony, along with the families of 11 deceased veterans who received medals posthumously.
Among the recipients was the family of the late Marine Corporal Edward Lipinksy from Delran.
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel presents medals to local veterans and family members during Thursday’s medal ceremony.
(Courtesy of Burlington County)
1 of 11
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel presents medals to local veterans and family members during Thursday’s medal ceremony.
(Courtesy of Burlington County)
Corporal Lipinsky served with the Marines during World War II and was severely wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. He spent more than two years recovering from his wounds before returning home. He returned to Delran to raise a family and later become mayor of the town. He passed away in 1993 at age 67 and is laid to rest at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Cemetery in North Hanover.
“Burlington County is proud to recognize the brave women and men who protect this nation,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the board’s liaison to the military and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. “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.”
Joining Commissioner Eckel and Commissioner Brolo at the ceremony were 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.”
Burlington County has awarded thousands of medals to county veterans since the program launched in 2002. Any veteran living in Burlington County with an honorable discharge is eligible for the decoration, along with deceased veterans who resided in the county.
Medal registration forms are available at the Burlington County Office of Military and Veterans Services and can be obtained by calling 609-265-5008. The form can also be found online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/17046/County-Military-Medal-application-2023.
Registering for the medal helps the Office of Military and Veterans Services keep veterans and their families informed about programs and services available to them. So far this year the office has assisted Burlington County veterans to obtain more than $9.7 million in compensation and benefits.
Veterans and military families are also eligible for free adoptions from the Burlington County Animal Shelter, veteran identification cards and free DD214 registration. The County also runs a free cemetery care program to help maintain veterans’ gravesites.
— Courtesy of Burlington County
