2 Veterans From Belleville Honored At Essex County Ceremony

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Two military veterans from Belleville were honored this week as part of Essex County’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.

Lucy Del Gaudio, who served in the Army and Army Reserves for eight years as an administrative specialist, and Joseph James Morgan Jr., who attained the rank of staff sergeant E6 while serving with the Marines and Marine Corp Reserves, were among those recognized at the county’s 2023 Veterans Day Observance.

Other honorees included Julio Aponte III (Navy), Margaret Stevens (Army National Guard), Khadijah Walker (Air Force) and Samantha Washington (Navy).

The ceremony took place at Veterans Memorial Park in Newark on Thursday.

Here’s why Del Guadio and Morgan earned Essex County Community Star Awards this year, county officials said:

LUCY DEL GUADIO – “Belleville resident Lucy Del Gaudio served in the Army and Army Reserves for eight years as an Administrative Specialist. She earned a Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal and National Defense Service Medal. In addition to being a member of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board, Lucy volunteers with The Pink Berets, Minority Veterans of America, the NJ Commission of Women Veterans, the NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders and Claymore Vets. In 2018, she became the first female Grand Marshall in the 87-year history of the Weehawken Memorial Day Parade.”

JOSEPH JAMES MORGAN JR. – “Belleville resident Joseph James Morgan, Jr. attained the rank of Staff Sergeant E6 while serving with the Marines and Marine Corp Reserves. He served three tours of duty in Iraq and Africa as a combat Marine, advanced infantryman, war fighter, machine gunner and served in numerous leadership capacities. He was responsible for coordinating war fighting and supervising, training and mentoring other Marines. He was a member of the Honor Guard, performing 300 funeral details, and has received several commendations, service awards and achievement medals. In addition to being a member of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board, he continues his service to the community as a Corrections Officer at the Essex County Correctional Facility. He also is a member of American Veterans with Disabilities, organizes Toys for Tots drives and has earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology.”

“We are proud to stand with our veterans at this important occasion, give them our respect and thank them for representing our country with valor and bravery,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Our honorees this year demonstrate their commitment to public service by working as county employees and helping us continue Putting Essex County First,” he added, commending the awardees, who serve on the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board.

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