Veterans 

Hazlet remembers and Honors

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We Value Our Veterans Award

On November 11, 2021, Gov. Philip Murphy presented Hazlet Township with the "We Value Our Veterans" award for its efforts to honor its hometown veterans. The ceremony was held before a large crowd at the state Veterans Day ceremony, held at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel.

Mayor Tara Clark accepted the Governor’s “We Value Our Veterans” Community Award on behalf of the Township Committee, with the Hazlet PBA Honor Guard standing nearby. The certificate commends Hazlet for making sure Veterans are recognized, honored and valued for their bravery.  It was presented by the Governor and Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou.

“Hazlet Township is grateful to our township veterans, and we want always to remember and honor their sacrifices,” she said.

This year, Hazlet Township mounted a special campaign to honor its Veterans called Honor Hazlet Heroes. Nearly 100 colorful banners are on public display at Veterans Park, along Green Acres Drive to the Memorial Circle and throughout the municipal complex. The effort was overseen by Township Committee Skip McKay, a former Navy SEAL, in partnership with the Hazlet PBA and Hazlet VFW Post 4303. Provident Bank provided sponsorship.

“We are so proud of this year’s Honor Hazlet Heroes banner display at Veterans Park. Today is a beautiful day to visit the park to see the names and faces of our hometown veterans,” said Mayor Clark.    

Hazlet Township also won the award for other efforts, such as courtesy parking for Combat Wounded in municipal lots, providing a Veterans resource page on the township website and disabled veteran services at Town Hall. Other communities and organizations receiving the special award included the Borough of Keyport, Manalapan Township and the Monmouth County Clerk's Office. 

Police Chief Ted Wittke attended the ceremony at the Memorial, along with many members of the Hazlet Police Department and a wide variety of veterans of all ages , children of Veterans, families and friends. 

About Our Veterans

We are proud to say an estimated 916 veterans call Hazlet Township home. This group is comprised of 865 men and 51 women. The chart below shows when they served. 

Citation: U.S. Census Bureau (2019). American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Retrieved from Census Reporter Profile page for Hazlet township, Monmouth County, NJ 

LocaL Service Organizations

VFW Post 4303 is located at 18 Davern Avenue, Hazlet.
The American Legion Post 23 is located at 81 West Front Street, Keyport and their website is ALPost23.org. Both offer support, a social lounge and hall rentals. 

Hazlet's Disabled Vet Service

Frank Vignola, a disabled veteran, volunteers to help other vets. He can advise on Veterans Administration (VA) compensation, healthcare, pension and employment rights and connect veterans with the Newark VA Regional office. Please use this form to send an email asking for a callback.  

Courtesy Parking 

With gratitude, Hazlet offers courtesy Combat Wounded parking spots at Hazlet's Town Hall and parking lots at the Municipal Court/Police Station and Library.

'Honor Hazlet Heroes' Banner Program

Visit our outdoor banner display called "Honor Hazlet Heroes" on display Memorial Day through Veterans Day in Veterans Park. Read the names of township men and women who are actively serving in the military, who have served honorably and who gave their lives in service. Banners may be purchased in the spring.

Local Discount Program

Over 250 businesses in Monmouth County offer discounts to veterans and Gold Star parents through the "Honoring our Heroes" Military Appreciation Program run by Monmouth County. You can find a spreadsheet listing the member businesses, as well as information on obtaining an ID Card. 

$250 Veterans Property Tax Deduction

Find out how and when to apply on the state's Division of Taxation website. Forms can be submitted to the Hazlet Tax Assessor's Office in Town Hall.

Monmouth County Services

The Monmouth County Veterans Services Office helps resident veterans and their dependents with a variety of services. Contact them for help with compensation and pension claims, medical documentation, military records and benefits for dependents. The office staff can supply referrals for counseling, VA healthcare, long-term care, home loans guaranty, employment. The interment services include records of deceased veterans and distribute Memorial Day flags for veterans' graves. 

New Jersey Services

Through its network of regional Veterans Service Offices (VSO), the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) provides the state's Veterans and their dependents with information and guidance in filing claims. Trained Veterans Service Officers at these offices also assist Veterans with issues pertaining to employment, education, burial, counseling, housing, social and medical services, and other areas of concern to Veterans and their families. DMAVA also conducts outreach events in the community where VSOs are present to help and assist any Veteran.  

Resource Guides

2021 Veterans Handbooks

  1. 2021 Vets Handbook - Sen. Cory Booker
  2. Vets Guide to the CARES Act- Sen. Bob Menendez

VETERANS ISSUES 

New Jersey is home to 355,766 veterans or nearly six percent of the state’s population, according to 2017 statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the last year the data was available.

View the latest federal legislation and veterans news from our representatives in Washington DC.