2 Veterans From Newark Honored At Essex County Ceremony

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

Margaret Stevens, who served as a medic in 91 Bravo with the Army National Guard, and Khadijah Walker, who served as a branch information manager in the Air Force, were among those recognized at the county’s 2023 Veterans Day Observance.

Other honorees included Julio Aponte III (Navy), Lucy Del Gaudio (Army and Army Reserves), Joseph James Morgan, Jr. (Marines), and Samantha Washington (Navy).

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

Here’s why Stevens and Walker earned Essex County Community Star Awards this year, county officials said:

MARGARET STEVENS– "Newark resident Dr. Margaret Stevens was a Medic in 91 Bravo with the Army National Guard in Jersey City from 1997 to 2004. She earned a PhD and Master’s degree from Brown University, participated in a management development program at Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and has been Director of he Urban Issues Institute and Associate History Professor at Essex County College since 2009. In addition to being a member of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board, she is on the Board of Directors of Veterans for Peace, a member of the American Legion Guyton Callahan Post 153 in Newark and a co-founder and member of the Servicewomen’s Action Network and participated in the 20th Anniversary: Veterans’ Affairs Braintrust at the 38th Annual Congressional Black Caucus in 2008. Dr. Stevens also is on the Community Advisory Board of the American Black Male Leadership Institute, the Boad of Directors of Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, Board of Trustees of the Newark Historical Landmarks and Preservation Committee and is a member of the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association."

KHADIJAH WALKER – "Newark resident Khadijah Walker served in the Air Force as the Branch Information Manager at the Military Personnel Center in Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. While there, she supported 13 other officers while managing the operations of the office. After leaving the military, Khadijah continued her service to the public working at Essex County College, Newark Public Schools and Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits, where she currently is a Family Service Worker in the Document Resource Recovery Unit. In addition to verifying the accuracy of clients’ applications, Khadijah identifies other programs, such as the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration and State Employment Service, where clients may be eligible to receive benefits. She also is the primary liaison between Essex County and the State of New Jersey and a member of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board.

“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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