For further information, contact:
Jennifer Poppy
South Brunswick Township
Public Affairs
732-329-4000, ext. 7275
SOUTH BRUNSWICK DEDICATES KORNACIVICH PLACE IN HONOR OF VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Sept. 21)—
South Brunswick Township dedicated Kornacivich Place on Saturday in honor of Ronald John Kornacivich, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime South Brunswick resident who served in the United States Army.
Specialist Four Kornacivich’s wife, Cheryl, joined Mayor Charlie Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilwoman Archana “Ann” Grover, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack, representatives of local veterans organizations, members of the South Brunswick Police Department and Honor Guard, and residents for the ceremony honoring his military service and legacy.
The commemorative street sign was unveiled at the intersection of Ridge Road and Marc Drive, closest to Georges Road, as part of the Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program. The sign honors Kornacivich’s military service and his years as a member of the South Brunswick community.
Kornacivich was born in 1950 in Somerville and grew up in Manville. He entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 18, 1969, during the Vietnam War and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He served as a Radio Teletypewriter Operator, Wireman and Sniper before continuing his service with the U.S. Army in Germany and later the Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged in 1975.
For his military service, Kornacivich received the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Parachute Badge.
Following his military service, Kornacivich made South Brunswick his home for more than 30 years. He worked for Verizon for more than 30 years as a Maintenance Cable Splicer and was a member of IBEW Local 827 and the Telephone Pioneers. He was also active in local veterans organizations and the Super Highway Buck Club of Monmouth Junction.
“From the people who knew him, if you needed help, Ron showed up. He kept his word. He lent his tools, his time and his knowledge without being asked twice,” Mayor Charlie Carley said. “Today, here, we make sure his name stays part of this town. Every person who drives past Kornacivich Place will see it… Now it is written into the streets he lived on.”
The ceremony included remarks from VFW Post 9111 Commander Scott Weyd, who spoke about Kornacivich’s military service and sacrifice. Cheryl Kornacivich accepted the tribute on behalf of the family.
Kornacivich passed away in 2012 at age 62. The Veteran Street Sign Program provides a lasting tribute to South Brunswick residents who served as wartime veterans, with commemorative signs installed along existing municipal roads.
“Every time someone passes Kornacivich Place, they will see the name of a soldier who put his life on the line for this country,” Weyd said during the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with Taps played by Paul G. Feldman of Taps for Veterans.
For more information about South Brunswick Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program, visit southbrunswicknj.gov/public-relations/veteran-street-sign/.
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