Story and Photos by Patrick Olivero
MIDDLETOWN – A once-vacant lot in Campbell’s Junction has been transformed into a beacon of gratitude. On Nov. 2, township officials, veterans and residents gathered at 37-45 Leonardville Road for the ribbon cutting of Middletown’s new Veterans Village, a 22,000-square-foot complex that will provide 12 residential units for local veterans.
The ceremony also marked the unveiling of a new monument honoring those who served in the global war on terror.
The development, designed by DMR Architects, stands where a long-abandoned mechanics shop once sat. Mayor Tony Perry described the transformation as “a story of renewal and redemption,” calling the village “the physical embodiment of gratitude” for the men and women who served the nation.
“What once stood as a symbol of what was lost has become a symbol of what now is possible,” he said, “and it was built not by government mandates or cold blueprints, but by the warmth and generosity of the people of Middletown.”
The community effort behind the project was evident in every detail. The Middletown Veterans Affairs Committee played a guiding role throughout the process, Perry said.
Local nonprofit Jason’s Dreams for Kids – along with founder and president Dennis McGinnis and vice president/treasurer Linda McGinnis – was honored by the township for its donation of $50,000 to the project, with a floor named in honor of Jason Douglas Creager, the McGinnis’ nephew, who died from cancer as a young man in 1992.
At the meeting Oct. 20, the committee also honored the Middletown Elks Lodge 2179, which donated televisions for every apartment and common room. Local groups, including Home Sweet Home Staging, the Monmouth Museum and artists Annemarie Amadeo and Ralph Goodwin, contributed furnishings and artwork to make the space feel like home. Woodward Construction and Sodens Electric were recognized for their hands-on commitment to bringing the project to fruition.
Residents, civic leaders and local veterans’ organizations joined U.S. Rep Chris Smith (R-4), Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Commissioner Director Tom Arnone and Assembly members Vicky Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger for the ceremony. Smith praised the collaboration, saying it exemplified the kind of teamwork needed to address New Jersey’s housing challenges. “What a collaboration, what teamwork to bring it all together and have this great opening of this wonderful home,” Smith said, commending Perry’s “extraordinary leadership.”
Arnone echoed those sentiments, emphasizing how the project embodied the spirit of Monmouth County. “It’s a true sign of community,” he said. “As we approach the 250th birthday of America, it’s only fitting that we celebrate by honoring those who made our freedom possible.” Arnone added that helping bring the project to life “will probably be the most special part” of his time in public office.
The Veterans Village features activity rooms, lounges with pool and game tables, outdoor gathering areas, and a front porch designed to encourage social connection. Wraparound services for residents will be provided by the YMCA, ensuring that each veteran has access to support and community resources.
During his closing remarks, Perry said the project was “built by a community out of love,” and he offered thanks to dozens of local groups – from Feeding Our Heroes, which provided a celebratory brunch, to the Welcome Home Veterans of New Jersey and Project Health, which helped connect services for future residents.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the global war on terror monument, led by the Zilinski family, whose son died while serving in the U.S. military. Perry described the moment as a “tribute not only to their son’s service, but to every family who has carried that loss,” thanking them for helping “the community grow together through remembrance and gratitude.”
The Veterans Village stands as proof that in Middletown, compassion and civic pride remain cornerstones of the community. “From even the most neglected places, something extraordinary can rise when people care enough to make it happen,” Perry said.
The article originally appeared in the November 6 – November 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
