Parsippany Veterans Honored At County Veteran's Day Ceremony

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Two Parsippany veterans were honored with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal at a Wednesday night ceremony.

James L. Festa, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Pastor David G. Boone, a U.S. Army, both from Parsippany, were awarded the medals for their service. The Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal honors local veterans and was designed by a county committee of veterans.

“We recognize that all veterans have given something of themselves to this nation, and some have given everything, laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we hold so dear,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “To all of our veterans, especially to you who are here this evening, we have a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you, all of you, for your service.’’

The county shared more information about Festa's service:

Served in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War from 1956-
60. He was stationed as an electrician on the USS Ranger CVA-61, based in California, and traveled extensively around the world.

He was on board in 1958 during the intense struggle between mainland China and Taiwan, and was part of the crew that assisted Taiwanese refugees with food, medicine, clothing, and other items. He is a member of the Taiwan Veterans Badge of Honor Association, or the 823 Badge of Honor Association USA.

He comes from a military family: His father, Louis Festa was a Merchant Marine in World War II; his step-daughter, Morris County Sheriff’s Officer Rosemary Brown, recently served in the U.S. Army in Iraq; and her husband, Jeremy Brown, also served in Iraq but did not make it home.

And about Boone's:

Served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1993. He was assigned to the 3 rd Battalion, 160 th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, and served in the Gulf War, which included Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He received the Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabia Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Southeast Asia Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army
Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and a
Meritorious Service Medal for service to the Special Operations Command.

He served for 21 years with the Fair Lawn Police Dept., is Commander of VFW Post 281 in Fair Lawn, and has been a pastor for 33 years.

Senator and former Gov. Richard Codey, state Senators Anthony R. Bucco and Joe Pennacchio, state Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco., and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon all attended the event.

Image via Morris County Government