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Caputo, Danielsen & Mukherji Bill to Promote New Jersey Military History Clears Panel

Legislation Would Create Online Historic Tour of State’s Role in Wars

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Joe Danielsen and Raj Mukherji to promote New Jersey’s role in American history was advanced Monday by an Assembly panel.

The bill (A-4278) would require the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop an online historic tour identifying locations of war battles and places of significance to war efforts in New Jersey.

“Sites in New Jersey served as the battleground for many major military actions from the Revolutionary War on,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “This legislation is about preserving the great history of our state for the sake of generations of New Jersey residents to come.”

Under the bill, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State and the New Jersey Historical Commission, would be required to develop a list and online tour of military efforts in New Jersey and state waters, including locations used for military operations or training or which house, berth or preserve historic military equipment, vehicles or vessels, including battleships, fighter planes and tanks.

“Creating an online database and virtual tour that display how New Jersey contributed to the rich history of this nation is an appropriate way to educate the public and honor the men and women who fought for America’s freedom,” said Danielsen (D-Middlesex/Somerset), a U.S. Army veteran. “This measure will help foster a sense of pride in our state’s past well into the future.”

“New Jersey was integral in the founding of this nation and has been critical to its defense ever since,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson), a former sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. “By taking advantage of modern technology to identify battle sites and places of historical military significance, we can promote and celebrate our state’s history while attracting tourism dollars and helping our state’s hospitality industry and small businesses in one fell swoop.”

Information pertaining to military actions undertaken in New Jersey during the following conflicts would be included in the database and tour: the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The measure was advanced by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee, of which Caputo is chair.