Community Bulletin Board
Local veterans honored at awards ceremony

The Division of Veterans Programs, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held an awards ceremony for combat veterans of Korea and Vietnam May 7 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Holmdel, as part of New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Remembrance Day.

Local recipients of the New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal were:

Sgt. Phillip J. Distasio, Leonardo section of Middletown, U.S. Marine Corps;

Spc. 4 Robert E. Hammond, Leonardo, U.S. Army;

Cpl. Vincent J. Hermanns, Hazlet, U.S. Marine Corps;

Sgt. Willie Mitchell , Hazlet, U.S. Army;

Master Sgt. James Polce, Middletown, U.S. Army;

Spc. 4 Eugene Smith, Belford section of Middletown, U.S. Army;

Pfc. Peter A. Wilkens, Middletown, U.S. Army; and

Sgt. William A. Zarrella, Hazlet, U.S. Army.

To be eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal, veterans must be a current resident of New Jersey; served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or the contiguous waters or airspace on or after Dec. 31, 1960, and on or before May 7, 1975; and have an honorable discharge or be currently serving in the military.

Recipients of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) were:

Cpl. Specialist Vincent J. Hermanns, Hazlet, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam, a DSM;

Sgt. Chief James Polce, Middletown, U.S. Army, Vietnam, a MSM;

Spc. 4 Eugene Smith, Belford, U.S. Army, Vietnam, a DSM with Oak Leaf Cluster;

Pfc. Peter A. Wilkens, Middletown, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MSM; and

Sgt. Specialist William A. Zarrella, Hazlet, U.S. Army, Vietnam, MSM.

The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal was issued in 1858 for individuals who distinguished themselves in the N.J. Militia, but was used infrequently until its reauthorization by Gov. Kean in 1988. To be eligible for the DSM, veterans must currently be a resident of New Jersey; have been a resident of New Jersey at the time entered into military service; have been honorably discharged; and have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime. Recipients with service recognized b the award of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent medal received a N.J. DSM with an Oak Leaf Cluster.

The N.J. Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to combat veterans that were not residents of New Jersey when they entered the military service, but are current residents of New Jersey and have resided in the state the previous five years. All other qualifications are the same as for the DSM.

Aberdeen 'Beach Fest' birthday event May 12

Aberdeen Township will continue its 150th birthday celebration with "Beach Fest" May 12 beginning at 4 p.m. at Cliffwood Beach. It will include the Environmental & Shade Tree Advisory Board's annual fishing contest; children's activities; a clambake with concessions offering items such as clams, fish and crab legs; and a giant movie screen presentation of the "Shark Tales" at 8 p.m. The movie will be shown at town hall in case of rain. Call (732) 583-4200 or visit www.aberdeennj.org.

Historical essay contest winners announced

Aberdeen Township has announced the winners of its historical essay contest for students held as part of the township's 150th birthday celebration. Prizes were awarded to students in one of three categories based on grade levels fourth and fifth grade, sixth to eighth, ninth to 12th grade. First-place winners were Kirsten Malta, fourth grade, Lloyd Road School; Courtney Kosztur, eighth grade, Matawan Aberdeen Middle School; and Adam Lewental, a junior at Matawan Regional High School. Winners received $200 savings bonds from Columbia Bank. Runners up were William Lewental, Talia Persaud, Ryan Galvin, Juliana Bongiorni, Joshua Aidler and Shannon Sansone, students at Lloyd Road School; Matthew D'Auria and Henrietta Hanson, Matawan Aberdeen Middle School; and Alanna Bradley, Brandon Dildy and Sneha Deshpande, Matawan Regional High School. Each received a $25 gift certificate to The Hobby Shop.

Comedy night May 19 at Keyport First Aid

Union Beach EMS and Keyport First Aid Cadets will hold a comedy night May 19 at 7 p.m. at Keyport First Aid Building, Atlantic Street. Tickets are $30 and include a buffet dinner, soft drinks, coffee and dessert. For tickets or more information, call (732) 264-0275.

'Night in Paradise' show, auction May 17

The PTA at Keyport Central School, 335 Broad St., will present "A Night in Paradise" fashion show and gift auction May 17 at Lakeside Manor, Route 36, Hazlet. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Donation is $35 per person and includes dinner with unlimited soft drinks, coffee, and tea, and a sheet of gift auction tickets. Students, faculty and parents will model fashions from Kohl's of Holmdel. Tickets are available at the school cafeteria May 10 at 3 p.m.

For more information, call Tracey at (732) 546-8385 or Joanne at (732) 670-5549.

Mid'town Woman's Club bike collection May 12

The Woman's Club of Middletown will sponsor a used bicycle collection May 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Middletown train station on Church Street. The collection is in conjunction with Pedals for Progress.

Collected bicycles will be shipped to third-world countries to be used for transportation. The cost of shipping is $28 per bike, but with the help of Pedals for Progress, the cost will be $10. Bike donors are also asked to give a $10 donation for shipping, and will receive an IRS-approved tax deduction slip. Boy Scout Troop No. 142, Middletown, will assist the Woman's Club by dismantling the used bicycles.

For more information, call Joan at (732) 222-7050.

Assemblyman's mobile offices open May 9, 10

Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R-13) will sponsor a mobile offices May 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Keyport Senior Center, 110 Second St., and May 10 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Bayshore Senior Center, 100 Main St., Keansburg.

Staff will provide information, help constituents resolve problems with state agencies, and assist individuals wishing to sign up for state programs such as PAAD and NJFamilyCare. Individual assistance will also be available for state property tax rebate programs. The offices are also drop-off location for Operation DVD, a drive to collect used and new movie DVDs and music CDs for troops overseas.

For more information, call Assemblyman Thompson's office at (732) 583-5558.

Aberdeen Rec sponsoring trip to winery, casino

Aberdeen Township Recreation Department is now accepting registration for a trip to Renault Winery, Galloway Township, and an Atlantic City casino, June 19. The trip is open to Aberdeen seniors age 55 and older, and nonresidents may sign up after the May 22 resident deadline (space permitting).

Buses will depart at 8:45 a.m. from the parking lot at A&P, Route 35, Cliffwood section of Aberdeen; and 9:15 a.m. from Temple Shalom, Ayrmont Lane and Church Street, Aberdeen. Buses will return at 8:30 p.m. (approximate). Cost is $21 for residents and $26 for nonresidents and includes lunch at the winery.

For more information, call (732) 583-4200, ext. 129.

'Troops to Teachers' slated for May 12

The Vietnam Era Educational Center, Holmdel, will host "Troops to Teachers: Careers in Education for Our Military Veterans" presented by Melissa Fantozzi May 12 at 1 p.m.

Troops to Teachers is funded by the U.S. Department of Education designed to assist separating or retiring military personnel in pursuing a second career in public education while also facilitating employment in public schools. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Defense. Fantozzi has served with the New Jersey Department of Education five years, and three years as the coordinator for Troops to Teachers.

A $5 donation is suggested, and reservations are required. To R.S.V.P., call (732) 335-0033.

Holmdel CILU meeting slated for May 14

The Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU), Holmdel, will hold its next meeting May 14 at 8:15 p.m. at the Holmdel Senior/Community Center, Crawfords Corner Road.

Dr. Stefano Crema will discuss "Cool City Project, Solving Global Warming One City at a Time." The illustrated talk will focus on a new Sierra Club campaign to have cities study how to lower the global warming pollution.

The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call Jenni at (732) 264-8482.

Scout Troop 92 to hold car wash, clothing drive

Boy Scout Troop 92, Hazlet, will hold a car wash May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hazlet Fire Company, Holmdel Road. Donation is $5 per car. The Scouts will also hold a clothing drive that day, as well as on June 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. The troop will accept clean, gently worn clothing, shoes, linens, and other items to donate to PALS NJ. For more information, call Cindy at (732) 264-9364.

Brush & Palette Art Guild to meet May 15

The Brush & Palette Art Guild will meet May 15 at 7 p.m. at James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call (732) 264-3853.

Photoshop program at Middletown Library May 9

Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will welcome Monmouth Camera Club presenting "Basic Photoshop and Then Some" May 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Bobbi Greenfield will explain how digital software programs allow photographers to create works of art from photos, including color correction, cropping, layers and filters. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (732) 671-3700.

Peace Officers Memorial Day is May 15

Middletown Township Chief of Police Robert Oches has asked residents to fly American flags at half-staff on May 15 in commemoration of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Government buildings are required to fly flags at half-staff that day.

Then-President Bill Clinton signed into law P.L. 103-322 in 1994 requiring the American flag to be lowered as a tribute to the approximately 16,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

'Music Fest' at Matawan church May 19

St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, 172 Freneau Ave., Matawan, will take part in the annual "Music Fest" May 19 at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Manna House, Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge. The festival will feature different church denominations singing inspirational music. Admission is free. For more information, call the church at (732) 56-3616.

Matawan seeking participants for parade

Matawan Recreation Commission is seeking veterans and vendors to take part in the Memorial Day parade May 27 at 2 p.m. For more information, call the chairperson at (732) 290-9344.