The Cranbury Parks Commission has released the criteria and a deadline that would allow for Vietnam-era veteran names to be added to the war monument in Memorial Park.
The Cranbury Parks Commission will be accepting submissions from Vietnam-era veterans in Cranbury by and on March 4.
The submissions are to help the township place names on the monument at South Main Street that were inadvertently omitted, according to officials.
“I can’t stress enough the importance and significance of this correction. Some of our residents volunteered, others were drafted, but all of those being recognized answered the call for their country,” Cranbury Township Committeeman James Taylor said. “They deserve our thanks and respect. This action demonstrates that respect and makes it right.”
He explained that he is extremely pleased that after all these years’ the township has made it right.
“I asked about this when I first joined the committee 10 years ago and heard about the accidental oversight. To see it corrected reminds me that we have a great community that truly looks to do what is right,” Taylor said.
The Cranbury Parks Commission and Cranbury Historical Society organized the criteria that was released to residents.
The criteria for those who qualify are:
*Those who served on active duty anywhere in the United States for more than 180 days, any part of which was between Aug. 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.
*Those discharged from active duty for disability if any part of that active duty was between Aug. 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975;
*Those who served on active duty for more than 180 days and served in Vietnam for any part of that time between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
*None of these apply to those with dishonorable discharges
*(a) If the Person’s DD214 Form lists “Cranbury” as the Home of Record at time of entry into the Armed Forces; or (b) The person can demonstrate substantial and substantiated ties to Cranbury prior to their entry into active service in the Armed Forces.
Officials said if individuals served in the reserves during that time period they would not qualify for their names to be placed on the monument.
Cranbury has allocated $2,000 in funds for the project, according to Business Administrator Denise Marabello.
Officials do not have an exact timeframe on when the names would go on the monument.
Those participating in the submission process must get all of their paperwork sent to or hand-delivered to Parks Commission Secretary Jean Golisano at Town Hall, which is located at 23 N Main St.
