Mercer County Veterans Services, led by Chief Medina Wilson, supports veterans throughout the year in a variety of ways, including recent events during Veterans Day and the recent Pearl Harbor Memorial, according to Mercer County Chief Brian M. Hughes.
On Dec. 4, Hughes joined Veterans Services and local veterans at Mercer County’s annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Mercer County Office Park Gym in Ewing.
“It has been 81 years since the attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941) and few of the survivors of the battle are alive today,” he said. “But it’s important that we continue to teach younger generations about the significance of the event that led to our country’s entry into World War II, and that we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms.”
Mercer County supports veterans through the annual Veterans Meal Drive. This year, Veterans Affairs is offering food packages to up to 100 veterans and their family members. Gift bags, which include staples and gift cards for a delicious holiday meal, will be distributed to veterans while supplies last from 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 at the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue in Ewing.
To receive a holiday gift package, a veteran must be able to show their military ID, DD214 or NGB22, Hughes said.
In early November, Hughes participated in the annual Mercer County Veterans Day ceremony held at the Hopewell Valley Golf Club. Hughes thanked the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Griffin Assembly, New Jersey Centennial Central and District 25 Deputy Al Ambrose for donating ShopRite gift cards at the event to help veterans in need this holiday season.
The county also held a veterans expo at the Mercer County Office Park, where the county clerk’s office, County Connection and numerous vendors provided information on the many goods, services, programs and discounts available to veterans, Hughes said.
In November, Mercer County Veterans Services received the New Jersey Governor’s We Appreciate Our Veteran Community Award during a state Veterans Day ceremony at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial in Holmdel. The community award recognizes communities that honor the sacrifice, patriotism and bravery of New Jersey’s military personnel.
In addition to the celebratory meal, veterans will be entered into a raffle for a variety of prizes, including an Apple iPhone 14, all of which were donated by Amazon. The draw will take place on December 15.
“Every year our communities are very supportive of this fund,” Hughes said. “Generosity like this is what makes Mercer County great. Our veterans have given so much, let’s continue to show them we care.”
For those interested in donating, checks are made payable to the Mercer County Trust Fund. Mail donations to Mercer County Veterans Services, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638. For more information on donations, call 609-989-6120.
