New N.J. license plate honors fallen service members

New Jersey has authorized a new specialty license plate to honor the families of military members who have died while on active duty.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers and representatives of veterans organizations looked on as Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation authorizing the Gold Star Family license plate Monday.

“People will be reminded by seeing that license plate not only of the sacrifice that was made but of the lives that endure,” said Christie. “The honor that needs to be given to those families as well is something that is a small but significant token of appreciation that can be given and should be given.”

Judith Tapper, president of the New Jersey Gold Star Mothers, has been advocating such a plate since her son was killed in Afghanistan in 2003.

“Those who are willing to sacrifice their lives protecting America need to be honored and remembered. The Gold Star families know first hand the cost of that sacrifice,” she said. “The license plate is just one token of appreciation.”

The new plate features an American flag with a gold star and the initials “MH” for military hero. Unlike the hundreds of other specialty plates, there will not be an extra cost beyond the registration fee for families who qualify to apply for the plate.