The nation called, and they answered

The nation called, and they answered
Outreach connects veterans with benefits
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Local veterans received some recognition last week and information about benefits they are due, when the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs presented 19 local veterans with honorary medals.

Above: Ret. Army Col. Stephen G. Abel greets veterans and their family members who attended a ceremony at the Monmouth Mall on Feb. 2. Below: Isaac Kassin, of West Long Branch, was one of the veterans who received Distinguished Service Medals. More photos at gmnews.com. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Ret. Army Col. Stephen G. Abel greets veterans and their family members who attended a ceremony at the Monmouth Mall on Feb. 2. Below: Isaac Kassin, of West Long Branch, was one of the veterans who received Distinguished Service Medals. More photos at gmnews.com. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Held Feb. 2 at the Monmouth County Mall in Eatontown, the medals ceremony was an outreach to veterans that aims to provide them with information about benefits they are entitled to for service to the country.

“Did you know that there are about 8,000 to 10,000 veterans in New Jersey that put on the uniform of their country and became injured or disabled and never filed a claim and have never been compensated?” asked retired Army Col. Stephen G. Abel, deputy commissioner for veterans affairs.

“Do you know that there are 48,000 New Jerseyans who filed claims and 24,000 never went back to have their claim adjusted?”

“We will be here for the next three days manning this kiosk, talking to veterans that served our country in uniform about their benefits,” said Abel. “We are appreciative: because of your service and sacrifice, we are able to be here in the Monmouth County Mall.”

Gary Englert, director of veterans’ services, also spoke before the state’s Distinguished Service Medals were presented, also citing statistics for New Jersey veterans.

“In a state were the population is about 8.7 million, our veteran population is just 484,000,” he said. “That’s a shade less than 6 percent. Nationally, veterans comprise just under 8 percent of the population.”

Englert praised the handful of veterans present who represented many branches of the armed services.

“When this nation called, you answered,” he said. “When it was all said and done, you have earned the title of solider, sailor, airman, Marine or coast guardsman.

“Sometime thereafter, you were sent in harm’s way somewhere with horrendous heat and humidity,” he added. “We can take pride in the history, not of crime but disarming, not of subjugating nations but rebuilding.”

According to Abel, there are 6,000 to 7,000 homeless veterans in New Jersey and there are three veterans homes, located in Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland.

Not all the veterans invited to the local ceremony were able to attend the presentation, but veterans from Tinton Falls, West Long Branch, Middletown and Manalapan were able to receive their medals.

Charles Manger, of Tinton Falls, a technician 4th grade who served in World War II, said after the presentation that he felt “honored to be here.”

Manger, who served in the Army, was drafted in 1942 at the age of 29 and was sent to France shortly after boot camp.

The list of local veterans, all of whom served in World War II, invited to the ceremony includes: Isaac Kassin, West Long Branch; George Pearson, Frank Rotondella Sr. and Gertrude Seither-Tuttle, all Tinton Falls; Joseph Sekerzicky, Lincroft; and Frank Young, Middletown.

Englert, who is a Vietnam veteran, explained some of the outreach efforts being made.

“We have an active outreach program,” he said. “We advertise on our website and we encourage veterans to apply for state military recognition.

“The malls have become Main Street America. It is a central place in many counties where we can get people to come. We do a different mall each month.”

Englert explained why some veterans are not accessing the benefits available.

“Many veterans are in a hurry to leave when they get out of the service, and the information that they receive goes in one ear and out the other,” he said. “Years later, they have some problems and need assistance.”

Englert also praised the state’s nursing homes for the care provided to veterans, and told veterans that free burial service is available to them.

“All veterans in the United States are entitled to free burial at the state and federal veteran cemeteries,” he said. “We have the largest and busiest state veterans cemetery in the nation.”

He also said there are more benefits veterans are entitled to but may be unaware of.

“There is a full gamut of health and medical compensation for injuries and educational benefits,” he said.

Englert said that whether a veteran is eligible for certain services is dependent on different factors.

“It is good to have a veteran service officer to guide you through the process,” he said.

For more information on the outreach, visit the website http://www.nj.gov/military/ index.html.

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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