Burlington County Honors Local Veterans and Family Members During Medal Ceremony

The Burlington County Commissioners honored the service of dozens of veterans and their families today during the annual Burlington County Military Service Medal Ceremony.

Thirty-seven veterans from various eras received Burlington County Military Service Medals during the ceremony, including the families of six deceased veterans who received medals posthumously.

Among the medal recipients was Corporal Phillip Frederick Jr., a 96-year-old Willingboro resident and proud Army veteran who served on the front lines in Korea with the 25^th Infantry Division, 24th Regiment, a unit made up predominantly by Black soldiers that saw intense combat during several critical phases of the Korean War. Corporal Frederick was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal in recognition of his bravery and service during his year-long deployment during the Korean War.

After leaving the Army, Corporal Frederick spent 40 years as a master fabricator with a Cherry Hill carpet and flooring company before retiring in 1995. He also served as a Deacon at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He and his wife, Justine, have been married 71 years.

“Burlington County is proud to recognize all who answered the call and served in the defense of our nation,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, liaison to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. “These medals are one way for our County to thank our veterans for all they have done and sacrificed. We want them to know their service will not be forgotten and our County is here to assist them and their families if needed.”

“These medals are a small gesture of thanks from Burlington County to those who chose to give all to defend our country,” added Commissioner Randy Brolo, liaison to the County Department of Human Services and the County Office of Military and Veterans Services. “We can never fully express our gratitude, but we want all veterans to know your County appreciates you and your service, and we are here to help.”

Joining Commissioners Eckel and Brolo at the ceremony were State Senator Troy Singleton, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, and Assemblyman Balvir Singh.

“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.”

“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 state, county or local government,” said Assemblywoman Katz. “We owe our veterans a debt of honor that can never fully be repaid. We must always remember and make it our duty to recognize and honor them and their families.”

“A big part of honoring our veterans is making sure current and future generations understand the sacrifices they made for every one of us,” added Assemblyman Singh. “Today’s ceremony is another reminder of the debt we owe them and their families. The medals are a way to honor them and say thank you.”

On display at the ceremony was a collection of 68 thank you cards made by students and staff from the Holly Hills Elementary School in Westampton and 3^rd grade students from Fleetwood Elementary School in Mount Laurel. The cards were sent to the Burlington County Office of Military and Veterans Services to share with county veterans the office serves.

Connecting with local veterans

The Burlington County Commissioners have 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 is also available online at https://www.burlingtoncountynj.gov/2180/Veterans-Military-Services .

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 million in compensation and benefits.

Veterans and their families are eligible for free adoptions from the Burlington County Animal Shelter. County veterans can also receive free veteran identification cards from the Sheriff’s Office, and free DD214 discharge paper registration from the County Clerk’s Office.

Burlington County also runs a free cemetery care program to help maintain veterans’ gravesites.

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