Jefferson Day to be dedicated to Marine

OAK RIDGE — The Jefferson Arts Committee will dedicate the 28th anniversary celebration of Jefferson Township Day on Saturday, July 12, to Sgt. Aaron Alonso, a 25-year-old Marine who was critically injured in February after he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Nad Ali, Afghanistan.

Alonso recently was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart and on another occasion was visited in his hospital room by President Obama.

Alonso, a 2006 Jefferson Township High School graduate and a Lake Hopatcong native, lost both his legs through amputation and suffered other injuries from the incident. The people of Jefferson Township and surrounding areas have since rallied together to raise much needed funds for his continued medical care through various fundraisers and events. He is recuperating in Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland surrounded by his family and friends and is described as a man with a large heart and great sense of humor who has always been one to be there for others and help in any way possible.

Members of the steering committee coordinating area fundraisers will be at Jefferson Township Day with an information booth to disseminate information and accept donations for the Alonso family. In addition, Jefferson Mayor Russ Felter will issue a proclamation to be read on July 12 proclaiming Jefferson Township Day as Sgt. Aaron Alonso Day.

In the meantime, anyone interested in donating to the ongoing fund can do so by making a deposit to Alonso Strong Benefit, Inc. at any PNC Bank or contribute online at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/w1z3/alonso-strong.