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Union County Clerk Offers Veterans Honorable Discharge Cards

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds veterans living in Union County that they can receive their free military honorable discharge cards at the County Clerk’s office. The wallet-size card is honored as proof of service in the United States Armed Forces. It can assist veterans in receiving educational benefits, death benefits, licenses, property tax rebates and discounts at big store retailers when presented with other identification.

“As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th, we rightfully honor the men and women who selflessly served in our Armed Forces,” Rajoppi said. “This honorable discharge card service is just one way to say thank you and make veterans’ lives a little easier.”

The honorable discharge cards are available to veterans whose Certificate of Honorable Discharge and DD 214 forms are recorded at the Union County Clerk’s office. Benefits from honorable military service are limited to the veteran and their spouse, parents, children, heir or personal representative.

“The distinctive red, white and blue cards have a raised seal certifying proof of recording from the Clerk’s office,” Rajoppi added.

If a veteran’s discharge papers have never been recorded, the original document must be presented at the Union County Clerk’s Office. Documents will be recorded in the Union County Veterans’ Index and the original will be returned to the veteran. Photocopies of Honorable Discharge or DD 214 documents cannot be accepted for recording. If the original documents are lost, veterans can write to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63632. Those who have already recorded their documents in the Clerk’s office can call the office for additional information.

“All veterans can be assured that access to their discharge papers is limited and available only to the veteran, his/her mother, father, wife/husband, brother, sister, child, heir or personal representative,” Rajoppi said. “Veterans’ documents are archived in a secure area and they are not accessible to the public.”

The County Clerk’s Office is located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If additional information is needed, please call (908) 527-4787.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .