Vineland resident Robert “Bruce” Land was sworn in Tuesday as one of the newest members of the General Assembly to represent the first legislative district alongside Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak.
“This is a tremendous honor and I am extremely grateful for the faith voters in the 1st district have shown in me to represent their needs,” said Land (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “Having been heavily involved in Vineland and the surrounding communities for several decades now, I’ve learned, first-hand, what issues are most important to them. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Assembly to make New Jersey a safer, more affordable place for people to raise their families.”
Land, who was elected in November to his first term in the Assembly, is a Vietnam veteran who has played a leading role in his community of Vineland where he has lived with his wife Bonnie for decades. He and his wife have two sons and three grandchildren.
As a former U.S. Army Sergeant, he received two Bronze Stars, one with Valor, and the Soldier’s Medal for his bravery after his platoon came under attack in Vietnam on March 14, 1971. While in a defensive position in Quang Tri Province, his platoon came under intense rocket, mortar and heavy automatic weapons fire. Land repeatedly subjected himself to hostile fire to effectively strengthen his platoon’s position. During the encounter, a hostile round ignited a case of high explosives that he was able to quickly extinguish, saving the lives of his men.
Land is a retired captain from the New Jersey Department of Corrections who has given back to his community through countless volunteer efforts. He has coached various levels of youth sports, including Vineland Little League, Vineland Basketball, Vineland Soccer, and CYO Basketball. He is also a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem County, an officer at the Vineland North Italy Club, a member of the Millville Thunderbolt Club, a former member of the Vineland YMCA Men’s Club, and a member of the NJ Superior Officers Association.
The 1st district, which encompasses portions of Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties, includes the towns of: Avalon, Cape May, Cape May Point, Commercial, Corbin City, Dennis, Downe, Estell Manor, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hopewell, Lawrence, Lower, Maurice River, Middle, Millville, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Shiloh, Stone Harbor, Stow Creek, Upper, Vineland, West Cape May, West Wildwood, Weymouth, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Woodbine.