Colonel Bolton, Commander 177th FW, Chief Donohue - Patriot Award Recipient, Sergeant First Class LeVar Curry, Major (Ret) Paul Dondero, Patrolman & CW2 Donald Vanaman

On Thursday, May 13, Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue was recognized by the Department of Defense, specifically The National Committee For Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Chief Donohue was recognized for support of Police Officers under his command who also serve with National Guard and Reserve Units.

Donohue was recognized along with other employers from across Southern New Jersey, at a luncheon held at the Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing Base at the Atlantic City International Airport.

Lower Township Police Officer, Donald Vanaman, a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve who was deployed to Iraq for over a year while employed with the Lower Township Police Department, nominated Chief Donohue for the event, known as the “Employer Patriot Award.”

The award recognizes employers of Guard and Reserve personnel who provide exceptional support to their employees and families while their members are deployed overseas.

Chief Donohue stated, “As the father of two sons who face military deployments, I know the type of stress our military men, women and families face during the deployments.”

Donohue praised Officer Vanaman’s accomplishments while deployed in Iraq, noting that Vanaman had received the “Bronze Star” while assigned to a Military Intelligence Unit.

Chief Donohue also noted that Lower Township Patrol Officer, CJ Ryan, a Tech Sergeant with the Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing, was currently deployed overseas at this time.

The award was presented by Brigadier General Jeffrey Pierson - Ret., Major Paul Dondero –Ret. and Colonel Robert Bolton, Commander of the 177th Fighter Wing group.