Essex County honors local veterans at 15th annual Veterans Day observance

On Friday, Nov. 8, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. hosted the 15th Annual Essex County Veterans Day Observance at the Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark. During the ceremony, four local veterans were presented with Essex County Community Star Awards in recognition of their service to the country and their continued dedication to public service and helping others in their communities.
The honorees included Ivette Caban, Carol Ann Malcolm Lynsung, Willy Tolba, and Tyrone Williams.
East Orange resident Ivette Caban served in the Army for 10 and a half years and currently works for Catholic Charities and the New Jersey SOS veterans’ stakeholder group that is working to end veteran homelessness.
The plaque that was presented to her states: “As a senior in high school, Ivette Caban enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served for 10 and a half years. Helping others always was a passion for Ivette, so after her discharge, she joined Catholic Charities and the New Jersey SOS veterans’ stakeholders’ group, where she has continued her service by helping homeless veterans find permanent housing and connect them with the services and support that they deserve. Ivette also has traveled abroad to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Columbia, the Dominican Republic and Peru where she has volunteered to build churches and assist missionaries help the less fortunate. She is now answering a higher calling by becoming the pastor of her own church. We thank Ivette for all that she has given through her military service, public service and religious service.”
“Serving in the military is one of the greatest honors I have experienced besides being a mother. I want to continue to serve our community and help those in need because it is very rewarding,” Caban said.
Montclair resident Carol Ann Malcolm Lynsung served in the Air Force and currently is a Family Services Worker with the Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits and a member of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board.
The plaque presented to her states: “Carol Ann Malcolm Lynsung was stationed in Texas and Wyoming during her service with the U.S. Air Force. After her honorable discharge, she embarked on a career as an educator, starting as a substitute teacher and teacher’s assistant before working for Essex County College and Rutgers University-Newark conducting orientation sessions for new students and assisting students with disabilities. She changed her trajectory in 2002 when she joined the Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits (formerly Welfare). As a Family Service Worker, Carol Ann has worked with clients of all ages and helped them with all aspects of their economic and social problems. Proud of her military service, Carol Ann continues to represent those who served as a member of our Essex County Veterans Advisory Board.”
Willy Toba is a Navy Veteran who is continuing his service in the Navy Reserves. He works in the Office of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.
The plaque presented to him states: “Willy Tolba has served in the Navy at sea and on land. Afloat, he was stationed aboard the fast attack submarine USS Pasadena and made one deployment to the western Pacific and completed an entire engineered overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. Ashore, he has been responsible for training and preparing our next generation of nuclear operators while also supervising the operation and maintenance of a nuclear reactor and steam plant. When he completed his last tour, he transitioned to the Navy Reserves and was stationed with submarine and fleet operations on both coasts. As a civilian, Willy continues to serve his country addressing concerns of constituents with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Thank you, Willy, for your continuous service to your country.”
“My military service on a submarine was a great honor for me. Thank you, Joe, for this recognition,” Toba said.
Lt. Tyrone Williams is an Army veteran who served in the Gulf War. He currently is a 25-year veteran of the Montclair Police Department.
The plaque presented to him states: “As a member of the U.S. Army, Tyrone Williams is a combat veteran who participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm during the first Gulf War. After the military, he settled in Montclair and joined the police department. During his 25-year career with the MPD, Tyrone, who currently is a Lieutenant, has been assigned to virtually every department, task force and bureau and has worked to strengthen the relationship between residents and law enforcement. Beyond his police duties, Tyrone is involved in numerous community organizations. With Essex County, he is known for his presence at the Wally Choice Community Center in Essex County Glenfield Park where he is a football coach and Montclair Grass Roots board member.”
“The most important thing to me is to serve and help others and I will continue to do that,” Williams said.
In his remarks, DiVincenzo emphasized the importance of the Veterans Memorial Park as a place of serenity and comfort for veterans, as well as a constant reminder to the public of their sacrifices. “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,” he said. “Our honorees this year demonstrate their commitment to public service by working as County employees and helping us continue Putting Essex County First.”
The Essex County Veterans Memorial Park, which opened in 2009, was the first new county park developed in Newark in 80 years. The 2.7-acre park features an Armed Forces Memorial with a circular fountain and flags representing all military branches. It provides a tranquil gathering place to honor the service and sacrifice of area veterans.
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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.