VIDEO: Wall is Chance to Honor Those Who Served

The county celebrated the opening of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute at Thursday as veterans and officials came out to remember those who gave their lives fighting for the country.

Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman officiated the ceremony, which included speeches from Assemblyman Peter Biondi (R-7), N.J. Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Ray Zawacki, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452 President John LeGates and Somerset County Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski.

The ceremony also featured the laying of the POW/MIA wreath, the Gold Star Mothers of New Jersey wreath, the Military Order of Purple Hearts Chapter 27 wreath and the Department of New Jersey Marine Corps wreath.

Guests at the wall honored the 34 people from Somerset County who died in Vietnam, including Bridgewater resident Richard Vallone, and all Somerset County veterans in attendance at the ceremony were presented with commemorative medals.

The ceremony concluded with original songs honoring American heroes, written by local residents Tyler Mylroie, Joe Reina Sr., Joe Reina Jr and Bob Burke.

The 34 Somerset County residents who were killed or missing in Vietnam are:

• Willard L. Arntz, of Bernardsville
• John F. Baranoski, of North Plainfield
• Henry P. Brauner, of Franklin Park
• John E. Busch, of Somerset
• William B. Christenson, of North Plainfield
• Myron Diduryk, of Somerville
• John F. Dudash, of Manville
• Thomas W. Frech, of Somerville
• Ricky D. Gilchrist, of Somerset
• Jules T. Girtanner, of Neshanic
• Michael J. Hayes, of Bound Brook
• Vins Ro. Hooper, of Somerset
• Andrew Horvath, of Manville
• Stephen C. Jones, of Watchung
• Brendan J. Kearns, of Bernards
• Robert C. Keri, of Somerset
• Frederick C. Kinsler, of North Plainfield
• Donald P. Lindsley, of Watchung
• Charles L. Magliaro, of Somerville
• Michael W. Martineau, of Manville
• Walter P. Miller, of Far Hills
• Fred J. Paul, of Bound Brook
• Joseph J. Polonko, of Pluckemin
• Antanas A. Prizgintas, of Bound Brook
• Dwight F. Rand, of Somerville
• Ronald P. Santoro, of North Plainfield
• Robert F. Sherdin [MIA], of Somerville
• Dennis R. Schmidt, of North Plainfield
• Richard J. Seibert, of Far Hills
• William J. Stephenson, of Bound Brook
• Richard J. Vallone, of Bridgewater
• Stephen H. Warner, of Skillman
• William L. Williams, of Bernardsville
• Michael Yaworsky, of Somerset