On Wednesday, March 8, 2000, Lorraine Pugliese posthumously received the New Jersey State Distinguished Service Medal, the state's highest military award, on behalf of her late husband, Salvatore "Toot" Pugliese, Jr. The award was presented to her in a ceremony honoring 149 state veterans by Major General Paul Glazar, New Jersey adjutant general, at the Riverdale Armory in Riverdale, NJ.

We are grateful that Mrs. Pugliese allowed us to make this information available on our web site as a fitting tribute to the dedicated service her husband gave to our country, all in the name of freedom.