The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's Liberty Gala this Thursday, Oct. 26, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Fort Dix, and celebrate military heroes of New Jersey dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Among those who will be in attendance and honored is Vietnam War veteran Col. Jack Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient, one of the most decorated soldiers of his generation and currently a military affairs analyst for NBC. Also attending is Sgt. Archie Fagan, a World War II veteran who served in the front lines, helped liberate Dachau concentration camp and attended the Nuremberg Trials.
Overall, the Liberty Gala will recognize New Jersey's military heroes past and present - from enlisted personnel to some of the nation's most celebrated commanders.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's Economic Impact on New Jersey
The Gala also will recognize the crucial role that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst plays in protecting our national interests, supporting worldwide humanitarian relief efforts and serving as an economic engine for New Jersey.
Joint Base MDL, forged in 2009 when three bases merged (the Air Force's McGuire Air Base, the Army's Fort Dix, and the Navy's Lakehurst Naval Air Base), is the second largest employer in New Jersey and it annually pumps about $7 billion into our state economy - equivalent to a Fortune 500 company.
"We need to remember these facts each time we hear that Washington D.C. is pondering another round of military base closures or consolidations," said N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken. "We need to be ready to stand up for the Joint Base and the men and women who serve there."
Fort Dix's Centennial
Fort Dix, which turns 100 this year, is one of the most iconic military installations in the nation.
It has served as the embarkation point for millions of soldiers heading to war and their gateway back home. It opened as Camp Dix in 1917, a training and staging ground for soldiers headed to Europe to fight in World War I. The camp officially became "Fort Dix" in 1939.
The Liberty Gala is this Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Park Chateau Estate in East Brunswick. It is open to the media. Cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 7 p.m.