A decorated U.S. Army Reserves Colonel will join with the Burlington County Commissioners and other elected officials, veterans and residents this week to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Army Reserves Col. John V. Wildermann, Congressional Legislative Liaison for the 99th Readiness Division headquartered on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, will deliver the keynote address at the Burlington County Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 30, at Veterans Memorial Park, 851 Old York Road, Burlington Township (adjacent to the Burlington Township Municipal Building.)
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 AM. Residents are invited to attend and pay respect to America’s departed heroes.
In addition to Col. Wildermann, the ceremony will feature remarks from Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, liaison to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and Congressman Herb Conaway.
“Burlington County recognizes the service and sacrifice of all who have stepped forward to defend our nation,” said Commissioner Eckel. “We are honored to have Col. Wildermann attend our County’s ceremony and help memorialize our heroes.”
The 99th Readiness Division is headquartered on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and manages more than 500 Army Reserve installations, training areas, facilities, equipment and personnel along the East Coast, from Maine to Virgina. The unit also provides support for Army Reserve soldiers, families, employers and communities.
Col. Wildermann enlisted in the Army in 1998 and completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He graduated from the Army Officer Candidate School in 1999 and would go on to serve as a platoon leader with the 51st Signal Battalion and Battalion Signal Officer with the 24d Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment before leaving active duty service in 2002.
Wildermann’s Army Reserve service began in 2003 and included assignments with the Battle Projection Group, 1st Brigade, 78th Division at Fort Dix and later command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 1st Brigade, 78th Division. He mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism from July 2005 through July 2007 and served as Tactical Operations Center operations instructor. He then served as Observer Controller Trainer with the 3rd Battle Command Training Group, 2nd Brigade, 75th Battle Command Training Division and later as Assistant Operations Officer and Signal Officer for the unit at Joint Base MDL.
He also served as the Deputy Defense Coordinating Officer for FEMA Region 3 in Philadelphia, helping to support the agency’s hurricane and COVID-19 responses and security for special events such as the State of the Union addresses and President George H.W. Bush’s State Funeral.
Col. Wilderman was assigned to the 99th Readiness Division in June 2021. He has served as Congressional Legislative Liaison since June 2023.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Clusters), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
The Burlington County Memorial Day ceremony is held May 30 every year in recognition of the holiday’s origin in 1868 when General John A. Logan, a leader of the Northern Civil War veterans, first called for a national day of remembrance for those who died in defense of the country.
“The heroes we honor on Memorial Day laid down their lives in the defense of our nation,” Commissioner Eckel said. “Our responsibility is to ensure their service does matter, and that our nation continues to uphold the principles and freedoms so many have died to protect.”