Nutley Honors Local Military Veterans With Homemade Distinguished Service Medal

NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley continues to honor its military veterans with a unique local award that has brought pride to families across town… the Nutley Military Distinguished Service Medal.

The award, an effort to pay tribute to the town’s veterans, has been given out since the establishment of the Nutley Military and Veterans Bureau (MVB) in 2012, according to Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers.

Last month, Rogers and some of his staff awarded Nutley resident and active duty U.S. Air Force Sergeant Victor Caracciola with the honor, part of an increasing effort to recognize the current generation of military veterans.

Rogers told Patch that the MVB had a medal minted specifically for the award, which has honored veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Normally, town officials give out the award on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but exceptions are made for soldiers on active duty, Rogers said.

“We’re going to have more that we’re going to honor,” Rogers said. “We’ve noticed that veterans are actually wearing their medals around town. Some have passed away and been buried with their medals around their necks… It’s moving.”

Nutley residents who want to nominate a U.S. military veteran for the award can contact the Nutley Department of Public Affairs Military and Veterans Affairs Bureau at (973) 284-4976.

Photo: Nutley Department of Public Affairs

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com