On 28 March 2012, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) hosted a Homecoming Celebration Ceremony in honor of the Navy Lakehurst sailors who returned from deployment during the past year. In a service presided over by CAPT Andrew Butterfield, Commanding Officer Naval Support Activity Lakehurst and attended by base employees, sailors, family members and members of the Lakehurst VFW, the Fleet Reserve Association, Elks Clubs of Toms River and Point Pleasant and the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society, eleven returning sailors were honored.

BU1 Little (Iraq), ABE2 Glover (Afghanistan),MAC Burch (Cuba), FC1 Jackson (Afghanistan), MA1 Johnson (Afghanistan), ABE1 Chanthama (Kuwait), ABF2 Alhassan (Bahrain), AS1 Jordan (Afghanistan), ABE2 Carpenter (Afghanistan), MA1 Cory (Afghanistan) and ABF2 Feliciano (Bahrain) were all presented with Certificates of Appreciation by CAPT Butterfield and Command Master Chief Herbert Kelton for their service and efforts during their overseas deployments.

“It is a distinct pleasure to honor these outstanding sailors for the service they have given to our country,” said CAPT Butterfield. “I would also like to thank all those here today to honor these sailors for the service they have provided as military, former military and civilians who support and work alongside our troops. I also thank the families who held it all together while their loved ones were deployed, running the households and caring for the children. Your efforts make it possible for our sailors to better perform their duties knowing that the home front is taken care of. We also pray for the safe deployment and return of those still serving in harms-way around the globe.”