Among the 1,500 members of the New Jersey National Guard who were deployed to the Middle East last month was the Rev. Aaron Oliver, Priest-in-Residence at St. Gregory's, Parsippany. Fr. Aaron, a Guardsman with the 44th Infantry Brigade, will be serving in Operation Inherent Resolve, which supports the international war against ISIS in Iraq, Libya and Syria.
"St. Gregory’s is very proud of having a priest who serves both God and country and we look forward to celebrating his return to us," says Warden Bonnie Keith. The parish plans to send Fr. Aaron care packages for him and his troops during his 11-month deployment.
Before his departure, Fr. Aaron presented Bonnie Keith with a "Patriotic Employer" award on behalf of the Department of Defense, "for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve Force."
See also Special send-off takes place for NJ National Guard in largest deployment since 2008 (ABC7NY).
