Fairfield Cops Don Army-Green Uniforms To Honor Military Veterans

FAIRFIELD, NJ — In an attempt to “honor our heroes,” Fairfield police will be wearing uniforms that pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces during the month of November.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers will be donning olive-green uniforms that closely resemble those worn by U.S. military service members as a way to “pay tribute and to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice.”

On the collars of each uniform, officers will be displaying the emblem of the 502nd Infantry division in memory of Fairfield’s own Corporal Neal Epifanio, who was killed in action in Vietnam 50 years ago, as well as a pin from one of the branches of the armed forces.

The uniforms were unveiled last week, and have been “very well-received,” Fairfield police said.

The cost of the uniforms was taken care of by the Fairfield Police Foundation.

“We felt it very important to call attention to the service and sacrifice our veterans made for all of us and wanted to do so in a unique way,” Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna said.

According to Manna, many people have stopped to speak with officers about the new uniforms, giving them a chance to have some positive dialogue about military veterans.

OTHER FAIRFIELD VETERAN EVENTS

The department, the community and the school system have also teamed up for other veteran-related events during November.

Those events include an assembly at West Essex High School on Nov. 6, where local veterans will be honored and then speak to students in their classrooms about their service.

In addition, on Veterans Day, the township will be unveiling a commemorative street sign on Horseneck Road at the intersections of Fairfield Road and Plymouth Street to honor Corporal Epifanio.

Some local businesses, like the Franklin Steakhouse on Passaic Avenue, will be honoring veterans on Veterans Day with 15 percent off their check when they produce a valid military identification.

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