There was a lot of New Jersey pride in the room at the Kenilworth VFW Hall this week during a medal ceremony to honor veterans.

Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Luisa Sanchez presented a variety of medals to veterans from Union County.

New Jersey Distinguished Service Medals went out, in addition to others, which represent various conflicts through the decades.

These veterans are members of Post 2230 in Kenilworth. The medals were a “thank you: for their time away from family and a “thank you” for putting themselves at risk.