Veterans to be honored at ceremony in Holmdel New Jersey veterans will receive medals, recognition May 7 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer COURTESY OF THE NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL FOUNDATIO Veterans from New Jersey will be honored at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at the PNC Performing Arts Center in Holmdel on May 7. HOLMDEL- It was a dark time in the nation's history and a time that many Americans will never forget, but on May 7, New Jersey will remember the veterans of the Vietnam War who served the United States in those tumultuous times. Enacted into legislation in 1991, May 7 is the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day, a unique day in the state to honor all of the service members who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam Era between 1959 to 1975. This year,NewJersey VietnamVeterans Remembrance Day will be commemorated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the PNC Performing Arts Center in Holmdel with guest speakers, highlighting what life was like in the Vietnam Era and a medal awards ceremony for New Jersey Veterans. "Our goal as a foundation is to foster conversations between veterans and young people about life for our veterans before, during and after the Vietnam War," said KellyWatts, executive director of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. "It's important for young people to be involved in this as well, and that is why we invite groups like the Boy Scouts and ROTC to attend these kind of things." COURTESY OF THE NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL FOUNDATION Veterans will be awarded medals, and keynote speakers will set the stage for a day of remembrance and honor at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel. Watts explained that at this particular ceremony, New Jersey residents who fought in the Vietnam War will be awarded service medals from a grateful state. The medals will be presented from the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "For veterans who were born and raised in New Jersey, they are eligible for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal," Watts explained. "Veterans who now reside in New Jersey, but did not at the time of their service, are eligible for the New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal. Some of our veterans have waited a very long time to receive these awards." Watts said that veterans who are invited to the event are from a wide array of wars, not just Vietnam. "We welcome all veterans," she said- "World War II, Korea, Gulf War, anyone who served in combat theater is welcome." Recently, IraqWar veterans have been invited to attend as well. "IraqWar veterans are very welcome," Watts said. "It is important because they don't have anywhere to gather yet, it is still new. This generation needs to know that we support them and welcome them home." Among guest speakers will be Assemblyman Jack Connors, chair of the New Jersey General Assembly Military and Veterans' Committee. Watts said that soldiers being prepared to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan would also be in attendance.