Paramus Veteran Among 57 Honored With State Service Medals

PARAMUS, NJ — Fifty-seven North Jersey veterans were honored for their courage and sacrifice during a ceremony Wednesday at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus.

Among those receiving the New Jersey State Service Medal was Paramus resident Librado Lombana, who joined the Army at 17. He served with the 82nd Brigade Engineers from 1962 to 1966, helping build bridges and infrastructure in the Philippines, Guam, Vietnam and Korea.

“These are fifty-seven stories of courage, fifty-seven stories of sacrifice,” U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer said.

Gottheimer (NJ-5) presented the medals alongside state and officials. He said the veterans did not serve “for the glory or the paycheck,” but because they loved their country and were willing to protect their fellow Americans.

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