Forty-one veterans from various eras received Burlington County Military Service Medals during the ceremony, along with the families of eight deceased veterans who received medals posthumously.

Among the medal recipients was Dr. George Rubin, a 99-year-old Medford resident who served as an armorer-waist gunner aboard a B-17 during World War II. His plane was shot down in 1944 during a bombing mission over Germany. He survived the crash but was captured and held prisoner in various POW camps until being liberated about a month before Germany’s surrender.

"Burlington County is proud to recognize the men and women who answered the call to defend our nation,” said Burlington County Commissioner 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 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.”

Joining Commissioner Eckel at the ceremony were Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell and Commissioner Tom Pullion, along with New Jersey Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, who presented Dr. Rubin with a state resolution honoring his service.

Burlington County has awarded more than 10,000 medals to county veterans since the medal 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 Military and Veterans Services Office and can be obtained by calling 609-265-5008. The form can also be completed online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/17046/County-Military-Medal-application-2023.

The medal allows the County to honor veterans’ service. By registering, the Burlington County Military and Veterans Services Office is also able to keep veterans and their families informed about programs and services available to them.

This year alone, the office has assisted Burlington County veterans in obtaining ore than $13 million in compensation and benefits.

Veterans and military families are also eligible for free adoptions from the Burlington County Animal Shelter, veteran identification cards from the Sheriff’s Office and free DD214 registration from the County Clerk’s Office. The County also runs a free cemetery care program to care for veterans’ gravesites.

"These are small gestures of thanks from our County to those who stepped forward willing to give all to defend our nation,” Eckel said.

Courtesy of Burlington County

Full article here

https://www.trentonian.com/2024/11/18/burlington-county-honors-local-veterans-and-family-members-during-military-service-medal-ceremony-photos/