Legislation authored by Congressman Chris Smith that will help military veterans treat their PTSD through enhanced outdoor medical therapy and recreation passed in the U.S. Senate last night, the eve of Veterans Day, and is on its way to the White House to be signed into law.
Legislation authored by Congressman Chris Smith that would expand the access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans’ medical therapy passed in the House of Representatives yesterday as part of a package of veterans legislation, the Veterans’ COMPACT Act.
New Jersey’s Veterans and Environmental leadership applauded the legislation and Rep Smith’s leadership.
Ross Licitra, Executive Director of Monmouth County SPCA and a candidate for freeholder, Freeholder Lillian Burry, Congressman Chris Smith and Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon celebrate the ground breaking of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Village in Tinton Falls, a Soldier On project.
Local leaders and supporters of the Veterans community gathered in Tinton Falls on Saturday for the ceremonial ground breaking of a Gordan H. Mansfield Veterans Community. The $23 million, four story community with 70 one bedroom apartments is a project of Soldier On and WinnDevelopment to be built on a 12.6 acre site on Essex Road that was donated by Seabrook Village.
Bart “Doc” Fabian, 71, a Veteran Army Medic of the Blackhorse Regiment (11th Armored Cavarly), received the Silver Star on July 18, 2020 for his heroic actions in Vietnam on April 13, 1969, during a ceremony at Congressman Chris Smith’s office in Freehold.
New Jersey’s veterans memorial homes have also been “severely impacted” by the still-growing coronavirus outbreak, the state’s top health official said Wednesday.
The state has three living facilities for military veterans — in Paramus, Edison, and Vineland. As of Thursday afternoon, 58 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 have died from it, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.
The Paramus home has been hit particularly hard, with 40 confirmed cases, five residents hospitalized, and 10 deaths from COVID-19, Persichilli said.She added that the homes have had “staffing is… Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON, DC – Supporters of Rep. Chris Smith’s (NJ-04) legislation, H.R. 2435, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, converged on Capitol Hill this week to advocate for the bill, which will provide for increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans’ medical therapy.
H.R. 2435 would empower a newly created task force to identify barriers veterans face when accessing public lands for treatment, and provide within one year recommendations to Congress on ways to eliminate those barriers. The legislation would help expose barriers to be overcome and new opportunities to be pursued so that public lands are more available for recreational activities, such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, and biking, which have proven to advance recuperation and healing. Ultimately HR 2435 will supplement the VA’s major medical care programs with outdoor recreational therapy for military veterans. Read the rest of this entry »
Advanced Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has declared Saturday, December 22 to be Veterans Appreciation Day. The company is Giving Back To Those Who Risked Everything Thing with free 20 minute sports massages for military veterans, as well as active duty and reservists, at all six of their Central Jersey locations from 9 a.m. until 1 pm.
Bernard and Linda Ebner accept the Vietnam veteran’s replacement military metals from Congressman Chris Smith
Bernard and Linda Ebner lost their Union Beach home of 47 years and most of their possessions to twelve feet of water during Superstorm Sandy six years ago this week. Among those possession were the medals that Bernard, a Vietnam War veteran, earned during his four years of service.
Congressman Chris Smith presented the Ebners with replacement medals on Tuesday, October 30, during an emotional ceremony in the congressman’s Ocean County office in Plumsted which is nearby the couple’s new home in Whiting.
Miguel Hernandez Colon, an 85 year old veteran of the Korean War, was honored for his military service by Congressman Chris Smith yesterday afternoon during a surprise ceremony attended by Hernandez’s family and friends at the Active Day Adult Day Health Center, in Hamilton.
Hernandez served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, based in Puerto Rico, from 1952 through 1954 and as a reservist for seven years. His unit, known and the “Borinqueneers,” was one of the last segregated units in the U.S. Military.
Al Salazar, 93 of Wall Township, was 20 years old when he served under both General Omar Bradley and Lt. General George Patton in World War II. He landed in Europe 73 years ago last week.
Congressman Chris Smith joined Salazar’s family in honoring his service by presenting him the medals he earned, but had not received, during a ceremony at the Xanadu senior condominium club house in Wall Township.
