Local Veteran Honored With Street Sign Dedication In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — On Saturday, local Veteran Gary J. Cooper was honored with a Veteran Street Sign Dedication Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the intersection of Richford and Constable Roads in Kendall Park.

South Brunswick holds these dedications to recognize veterans for their military service.

Family, friends, and fellow residents joined Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilman Joe Camarota, and Councilwoman Archana Grover at the ceremony.

Cooper enlisted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War on Sept.18, 1970. He was assigned to the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, as a Personnel Management Specialist, where he achieved the rank of Specialist 5.

He served in the United States Army until his Honorable Discharge on September 17, 1973, with outstanding leadership and courage receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Expert Marksman Badge, the New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Cooper was born in Paterson, New Jersey on Oct. 13, 1948, and has been a resident of South Brunswick since 1999.

He is an Honorary Life Member of American Legion Post 401, serving as Post Commander from 2009 to 2024. He served as Middlesex County American Legion District Commander and a member of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 401.