MANALAPAN – Members of the Manalapan Township Committee will honor resident Don Klieger later this month and thank him for his efforts to have a bill signed into state law.
The law that was signed by Gov. Chris Christie gives official recognition to the KIA, “Killed in Action,” flag which will fly over all official government buildings in New Jersey, according to the township.
Officials said the law was years in the making and was a result of the efforts of Klieger, who is a member of the Manalapan Veterans Affairs Committee.
Klieger sought to honor his cousin, Norman Spechler, who was killed in action on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Manalapan has the distinction of being the first municipality in the state to fly the KIA flag over the veterans “Walk of Honor” memorial at town hall, Route 522, and the Manalapan Community Center, Route 33. Manalapan has continuously flown the flag since Veterans Day 2016, according to a press release.
The bill passed the state Senate and Assembly with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Christie on Aug. 7. Co-sponsors of the bill included Manalapan’s representatives in the 12th Legislative District – Sen. Sam Thompson, Assemblyman Rob Clifton and Assemblyman Ron Dancer.
Klieger will be recognized during the Township Committee meeting on Sept. 27.
Municipal officials said Klieger is now lobbying Congressman Christopher Smith and making the case that the KIA flag should fly over all federal buildings.
