On Wednesday, November 8th, Margaret L. Vetter School hosted a Veterans' Day ceremony to recognize the veterans in our school community. Thank you for your service!
Mr. Jackson Rivera is formally retired from the United States Army, where he worked as a Military Police Officer and Operations. He served in three official combat tours to include Iraq and Afghanistan, among other deployments to hostile zones. Mr. Jackson Rivera entered the Army as a private and ended his career as a Major. His highest recognitions are the NATO International Security Forces Service medal, The Bronze Star Medal, The New Jersey Distinguished Service medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Mr. Bill Parker served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1958. He served in countries such as the U.S.A., Korea, Germany, and Great Britain. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Occupation of Germany Medal. National Defense Medal.
Mr. Pete Zalenski enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969 as a Seaman Recruit and advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer Gunner's Mate Guns. He commissioned an Ensign in 1979 under the Navy's Limited Duty Officer Program. He retired from active service in 1990 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 22 years of service, but continued to work as the Command Security Manager for Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, NJ after 25 years of Federal Civil Service. His personal awards include the DON Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medals (3), Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign and service awards.
Mr. Gunter Josef Bussem served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. He was a Sergeant, stationed in Camron Bay, Vietnam. He served from 1965-1967. He worked in the Munitions Depot.
Mr. Neil Pontecorvo served in the United States Marine Corp where he held the rank of sergeant. During his time in the Marine Corp, he held the position of Industrial Cook for 8 years. His Military Assignments included: 2nd Recruit Training Battalion Paris Island, SC; Food Service Support, 2nd MarDiv, Camp Lejeune, NC; Service Company HQtrs Battalion 2nd MarDiv, Camp Lejeune, NC; and Marine Barracks, Naval Weapon Station, Earle, Colts Neck, NJ.
Mr. Arthur Faust served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he was a Personnel Carrier Driver. He completed Air Assault training in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was transferred to Ft. Own, CA for dessert training and then to Ft. Drum, NY for cold weather training. He served overseas in Bamburg, Germany and then to Berlin for the Berlin Brigade. His awards include Air Assault Wings, Expert Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medals, Expert Rifleman Badge, Expert Rocket Launcher Badge, Expert Grenade Launcher Badge, and he completed the 100 Mile General George Patton Death March where he did 100 miles in 3 days.
Mr. Ken Dioguardi served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky in the 1st Armor Training Brigade as the training officer, executive officer, motor officer, and company commander. He served overseas in Illesheim, Germany as the battalion S4 and company commander in the 501st Forward Support battalion. He was a general staff officer for quartermaster training at Grafenwouer, Germany for the Unites States Armory Europe. He was able to chop his own piece of the Berlin Wall at the end of the Cold War.