07 Nov ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT ESSEX COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Four Essex County Employees Recognized for Service in U.S. Armed Forces
Published on November 7, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted the Annual Essex County Veterans Day Observance in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark on Friday, November 7th. During the ceremony, the County Executive presented Essex County Community Star Awards to four Essex County employees who have served or continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, including Joseph Ellis (Army) from the Prosecutor’s Office, Schronda Williams (Army) from the Essex County Correctional Facility, and Sondra King (Army) and Victor Rotunda (Army Reserves) from the Division of Training and Employment.
“Throughout our country’s history, brave men and women have put their lives on hold to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces at home and abroad. Our Essex County Veterans Memorial Park was created to provide our veterans with a place to find serenity and comfort and provide a constant reminder to the public about their contributions and sacrifices,” DiVincenzo said. “We are proud to stand with our veterans at this important occasion, give them our respect and thank them for representing our country with valor and bravery. Our honorees this year demonstrate their commitment to public service by working as County employees and helping us continue Putting Essex County First,” he added.
Joseph Ellis is a Detective with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and served in the Army. In 2008, he completed his basic combat training and earned qualification as a Military Police Officer at For Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was initially assigned to the Military Police Platoon and stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., before being deployed to Afghanistan. He participated in over 200 missions as well as helping to train Afghan security forces. Subsequently he was reassigned to the United States to instruct soldiers how to respond to improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordinance and then was stationed with the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade in South Korea and was promoted to Sergeant. In 2013, he transitioned to a training officer in New Jersey and later completed training in criminal investigations and law enforcement procedures before being deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He concluded his military service in 2022 and is a member of VFW Post 3401 in Morris Plains.
“This is an unexpected honor that is greatly appreciated. It was amazing to be part of something where we were all united in our willingness to serve. Although my service in the military is over, I wanted to continue serving the community,” Ellis said.
Schronda Williams is an investigator with the Internal Affairs Unit at the Essex County Correctional Facility and served in the Army from 1996 to 2009, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. She is a decorated Army Combat Veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star for saving a Marine’s life during combat in Iraq.
“When I was in the military, I didn’t know I would serve on three continents. And when I became a Corrections Officer, I didn’t expect to be recognized. We don’t serve for the accolades,” Williams said.
Sondra King is an Employment Specialist with the Essex County Division of Training and Employment and served in the Army from 1987 to 1991. While in the service, she was involved with teletype communication, sending and receiving messages.
“My career in the military was very special. When I was discharged, I knew I wanted to continue helping people and make my community better,” King said.
Victor Rotunda works in the Essex County Division of Training and Employment Job Development Unit and served in the Army Reserves for six years, leaving his service with the rank of Specialist 5.
“Thank you for this award. It is greatly appreciated,” Rotunda said.
Father Edwin Leahy, Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark and President of the Essex County Schools of Technology Board of Education, presented the invocation. John Stephenson from the Essex County Correctional Facility sang the National Anthem. The Essex County Sheriff’s Honor Guard presented the colors at the beginning of the ceremony. Bagpiper Joe McGonigal performed the “Armed Forces Medley.”
Essex County Veterans Memorial Park became the first new Essex County park developed in Newark in 80 years when it opened in September 2009. It was created on the site of an antiquated parking garage that opened in the 1960s and had become an community eyesore. The 2.7-acre park has about 400 trees, shrubs and perennials, two small meadows, the Armed Forces Memorial, walking paths and decorative metal archways at the entrances. The Armed Forces Memorial includes a circular water fountain surrounded by 10 flagpoles and a short granite wall. The flags of the seven branches of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard – fly from 25-foot poles while the New Jersey State flag and Essex County flag fly from 30-foot poles and the American flag flies from a 35-foot pole at the center of the display. At the base of each flag pole on the granite wall is the official agency or government seal.
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