This Is My New Jersey

A little more than a week ago, a drone strike in Jordan near the Syrian border killed three of our American heroes. One of those three was a member of the New Jersey family.

Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Burlington County was just 46 years old.

According to the Defense Department, Staff Sgt Rivers joined the Army Reserve in New Jersey in 2011 and served a nine-month tour in Iraq in 2018. He later joined the 718th Engineering Company at Fort Moore and lived in Carrollton, about 45 miles west of Atlanta.

He may have no longer lived in New Jersey, but he is still one of our own.

Governor Murphy signed an executive order to lower flags to half-staff in his honor. The Army ordered the posthumous promotion of now-Staff Sgt. Rivers “in recognition of his exceptional courage, dedication, and leadership during Operation Inherent Resolve.”

During his military service, Staff Sgt. Rivers received multiple awards and decorations which included the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

He leaves behind a wife and teenage son.

Staff Sgt. Rivers, and all his fellow soldiers, have been doing a tough duty. Fighting an enemy that doesn’t play by the rules. That is doing everything they can to poke the bear. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. So that we might enjoy an easier life, he gave up his in the name of freedom.

We owe Staff Sgt. Rivers, and all our military service members, a debt that can never be repaid.

Rest easy Staff Sgt. Rivers. And thank you.