Morris County's 2017 Memorial Day Commemoration on Wednesday, May 24

Published on May 22, 2017

World War II U.S. Air Force Veteran and Prisoner of War Hjalmer Johansson is Keynote Speaker

(JPG, 656KB) 2016 Memorial Day ceremony

Morris County's 2017 Memorial Day ceremony, sponsored by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will be held on Wednesday, May 24, at noon, on the front lawn of the Morris County Courthouse on Washington Street in Morristown.

The keynote speaker will be Hjalmer Johansson, a U.S. Air. Force veteran of World War II, a gunner on a B-24 bomber that was shot down by German fighter planes, resulting in his capture after a forced landing in Austria.

(JPG, 9KB) Hjalmer Johansson

The public is invited to attend this rain or shine ceremony, during which the freeholders also will present the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal to eight Morris County veterans in recognition of their service to our nation. Included is U.S. Army World War II veteran John McDermott, who was part of the Army's occupying force in Japan.

(JPG, 431KB) WWII veteran Herman Rosenberg gets a county veteran's medal at 2016 ceremony

The medal is unique to Morris County and features the county seal encircled with the words, Morris County Distinguished Military Service, on the front. An outline of the county and the American flag is on the back of the medal, along with the words, Morris County Freeholders Military Commemorative.

Each medal's striped ribbon is the color of the specific conflict during which the veteran served.

Since the freeholders began the program in 2000, nearly 10,000 medals have been presented to veterans or to their family members.

More information about the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal program may be obtained by contacting the Morris County Veterans Service Office at 973-285-6866. Also, for more on veterans services in Morris County, visit: http://hs.morriscountynj.gov/veterans/