(BELVIDERE, NJ) – Warren County’s Distinguished Military Service medal was awarded to 37 wartime veterans in the County’s 19^th Veterans Recognition ceremony, held over the weekend at the Warren County War Memorial.

Commissioner James R. Kern III joined the Warren County War Memorial Corpsoration to commemorate America's 250th birthday and recognize the men and women who have served in the United States military during times of conflict.

The outdoor ceremony, conducted next to the Warren County Courthouse on July 11, 2026, featured performances by the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corpss; a Quilt of Valor presentation by members of the Evening Star Quilting Guild; and readings honoring Dr. Joseph Warren (Warren County’s namesake) and our nation’s 250^th anniversary.

In addition to the medal, honorees were presented with a lapel pin and certificate.

This brings to 2,302 the total number of war era veterans who have been recognized since the program began in 2003 with an award to 108-year-old Julius Hausold, who was Warren County’s last surviving World War I soldier at the time.

Four of the veterans were recognized posthumously in this year’s ceremony, with loved ones accepting the medal on their behalf.

Commissioner Kern said, "I want to say thank you to all the brave men and women who fought to ensure that future generations of American citizens will be able to enjoy our country’s freedoms. It is important that we honor our veterans here in Warren County and never forget the sacrifices that you all made so that our families can live in peace."

The honorees, along with their service branch and war era, were:

Donald C. Backer, Army, Vietnam

Robert F. Bentley Jr., Navy, Global War on Terror

Alex W. Betz, Army, Vietnam

William G. Blaine, Army, Vietnam

Donald J. Butler Jr., Marine Corps, Vietnam

Juan H. Castellanos, Army, Global War on Terror

Louis Csazmadia, Army, World War II (deceased)

Ronald P. Davis, Air Force, Vietnam (deceased)

Peter DeHaas, Army, Vietnam (deceased)

Frank A. Dell Beni Jr., Army, Vietnam

William P. Dermody, Army, Vietnam (deceased)

John W. Diana, Navy, Vietnam

Charles D. Falvey Jr., Navy, Vietnam

Wayne S. George, Navy, Vietnam

John N. Geswelli, Marine Corps, Vietnam

Edward A. Grannis, Navy, Global War on Terror

Dale Hart, Marine Corps, Vietnam

Gary W. Hutchinson, Marine Corps, Vietnam (deceased)

Bert H. Joiner, Army, Vietnam

Johnathan I. Lindsley, Navy, Global War on Terror

Terry L. Mackie, Army, Vietnam

John A. Meyer, Army, Vietnam

Paul L. Meyer, Army, Vietnam

Christopher A. Michel, Army, Global War on Terror

John J. Petchonka, Navy, Vietnam

Wayne Peterson, Coast Guard, Vietnam

Patrick Petroll II, Army, Vietnam

Stephen Porter, Marine Corps, Global War on Terror

Edward M. Richardson, Navy, Vietnam

Christopher Schaefer, Army, Global War on Terror

Derrick Schmidt, Navy, Global War on Terror

Charles Smith III, Army Global War on Terror

Rodney T. Stearly, Navy, Vietnam

Alan Typinski, Marine Corps, Vietnam

Richard N. Wilson, Marine Corps, Vietnam

Norman Winters, Army, Vietnam

Eugene F. Woznicki, Air Force, Vietnam

 Warren County offers heartfelt thanks to these, and all, veterans for their service to our country.

Warren County accepts applications for the Distinguished Military Service Award throughout the year, with ceremonies scheduled periodically. Current and former county residents, living or deceased, are eligible for the recognition, provided they served honorably during one of the recognized wartime periods from World War I through the present.

Learn more about Warren County Veteran Services, an office within in the county Human Services Department, Information about the Warren County Veterans Recognition Program, including an application, can be found here.  

Commissioner James R. Kern III presents a Distinguished Military Service medal to a veteran at the Warren County War Memorial. Also pictured, Warren County War Memorial Corp. President Dennis Smith, Senator Douglas Steinhardt, and Nico from Congressman Tom Kean's office.