Bruce Land Receives November 2022 New Jersey’s Heartland Hero Award

With Veterans Day being celebrated this month, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to honor Bruce Land of Vineland, NJ, as our November 2022 Heartland Hero. The former New Jersey Assemblyman, whose military service during the Vietnam War garnered him two Bronze Stars, continues to be an advocate for veterans throughout the region.

Land, a Cumberland County native, who was assigned to the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam soon after being drafted in 1969, is a resident of Vineland, NJ, and a retired captain in the New Jersey Department of Corrections. As a New Jersey Assemblyman, representing New Jersey’s 1st District from 2016-2020, Land’s committee assignments included Homeland Security & State Preparedness and Military & Veterans’ Affairs, among others.

During his tenure in the Assembly, Land helped write several bills to support military veterans. Even before he entered politics, however, Land was an advocate for veterans, including as a member of the Cumberland County Veterans Commission, on which he still serves. During this time of year, the Commission supports such initiatives as Project Thanksgiving, a nonprofit that provides monetary and food donations to veteran’s groups and food banks in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Land says his proudest achievement as a New Jersey Assemblyman was helping to craft the “Code Blue” law, which requires all counties in the state to have a plan in place to shelter homeless persons during severe weather conditions.

“It was a privilege to be a lead sponsor on the Code Blue legislation,” said Land. “It has helped and continues to help provide shelter, clothing and food for many homeless individuals in all 21 counties of the state. Homelessness is an issue that can affect anyone and, especially during the colder months, it’s crucial to provide support.”

Born and raised in Millville, NJ, Land has lived with his wife, Bonnie, in Vineland for 45 years. For his service to our country during his years in the military and the dedication he continues to provide to veterans, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to name Bruce Land as our November 2022 Heartland Hero.

While New Jersey’s Heartland is filled with hidden gems, its biggest treasures are the people who make the region a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. All Heartland Heroes receive a Heartland Heroes Certificate and Gift Basket in recognition of their award. To nominate your Heartland Hero, visit http://njheartland.org/live/heartland-heroes-nomination-form/.

NJHeartland.org is honored to name Bruce Land, of Vineland, NJ, as our November 2022 Heartland Hero. Land, a veteran of the U.S. Army, who received two Bronze Stars for his service during the Vietnam War, has been a long-time advocate for veterans throughout the South Jersey region, including during his time as a New Jersey Assemblyman, during which he served on the Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee. With his work as part of the Cumberland County Veterans Commission, Land helps support local initiatives such as Project Thanksgiving. For his service to our country during his years in the military and the dedication he continues to provide to veterans, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to name Bruce Land as our November 2022 Heartland Hero.

ABOUT NEW JERSEY’S HEARTLAND
Understanding the role financial stability plays in strengthening Whole Families, the Pascale Sykes Foundation funded the creation of New Jersey’s Heartland as part of its South Jersey Economic Initiative. New Jersey’s Heartland promotes the four-county region of Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Atlantic Counties as a destination for tourism and business and a great place to live, work and play. Through NJHeartland.org and its various social media channels, New Jersey’s Heartland highlights the region’s hidden gems and treasures, venues, events, social service organizations, Heartland Heroes and newsworthy items, which in turn drives tourism, generates business opportunities and creates the jobs Whole Families need to be successful.