Published on February 11, 2025
Nearly 100 Attendees Learn About Resources and Support for Local Veterans
Nearly 100 attendees gathered at the Morris County Veterans Services Office (VSO) last week for an information session on the extensive support available to local veterans.
The event, hosted by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, featured representatives from federal, state and county offices, along with veteran service providers offering guidance on available resources. Many guests wore red in observance of R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Shirt Friday, a tradition honoring deployed service members.
“We hosted an outreach session for veterans at the local VFW in my hometown of Montville last fall, which was well received by the vets who attended. At my suggestion, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously agreed to expand these outreach efforts,” said Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo. “We have strengthened our VSO with expanded staff and funding, and we will continue to grow these critical programs.”
Commissioners Mastrangelo and John Krickus welcomed attendees before introducing Christine Hellyer, director of Aging, Disabilities and Community Programming, and Jessica Tomalo, program coordinator for the VSO, who led an informative presentation.
Missed the Event? View the Video Recording Available Online
“Morris County doesn’t recognize our veterans only on Memorial Day and Veterans Day — we honor them every day,” said Commissioner Krickus, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “We continue to expand the Veterans Services Office to meet growing needs, including doubling its space in 2023, hiring a fourth Veterans Services Officer and establishing a federal Veteran Center Community Access Point in Morristown in 2024.”
He also noted that the county maintains an online archive of local veterans’ history, which preserves stories of service from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts. Additionally, he highlighted County College of Morris’ (CCM) Veterans Resource Center and manufacturing training programs available at no cost for veterans and their families, supported by a $5 million U.S. Department of Defense grant.
Marie Fragomeni, outreach coordinator for the County Clerk’s Office, spoke about services available to veterans through County Clerk Ann Grossi’s office, including the “Operation Give Back” program, which offers discounts to veterans and Gold Star family members who present their Morris County ID Card at participating local businesses.
Also present to provide updates at the event were Nicholas Henry, field representative for U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr.; Willy Tolba, constituent services representative for U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill; Alex McConnell, legislative aide to State Sen. Anthony Bucco; Jon Hinker, senior vice commander of the New Jersey VFW; and Shenandoah Ellis-Ullmer, veterans and military services coordinator at CCM.
Service providers in attendance included the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, Inc. (MHA) and Atlantic Behavioral Health’s True North Program for Veterans.
Hellyer shared an update on the 2025 human services veterans grants, which fund critical services for Morris County veterans and their families. The grants support the MHA’s mental health, substance abuse, care management and educational programs; Interfaith Food Pantry’s distribution of food and household essentials to food-insecure families; and Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey’s legal assistance and counseling for veterans. This year, Community Hope will also receive funding for emergency housing services.
She also highlighted other essential county services, including Morris Area Paratransit System (MAPS), a curb-to-curb shared ride service for seniors, individuals with disabilities and veterans, as well as the Morris County Nutrition Project, which provides home-delivered meals to seniors.
Following presentations, an engaging Q&A session gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Attendees also had access to a resource table with informational materials, and light refreshments and snacks were offered.
For more information on veteran resources, visit morriscountynj.gov/veterans.
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Photo 1: Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo.
Photo 2: (l-r) Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo and Commissioner John Krickus.
Photo 3: (center) U.S. Navy Veteran Tom Mazzaccaro.
Photo 4: Jessica Tomalo, Program Coordinator of the Morris County Veterans Services Office.
