06/01/2026
This month, I’m proud to recognize Jake Prusha as our Veteran of the Month.
A lifelong resident of Hillsdale, Jake grew up in a family deeply rooted in service. Inspired by his great-uncle, Albert Rawson, who served as a Chief Medical Aid in the U.S. Army, Jake began his own path of public service as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, volunteer firefighter, and volunteer EMT before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard.
As a Health Service Technician, Jake was stationed in Boston and assigned to a mobile medical unit that traveled to remote bases and disaster-stricken areas, providing critical medical care to those in need. After four years of honorable service, he was honorably discharged in August 2025.
Jake’s commitment to serving others continued after leaving the military. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of mental health challenges on service members—and having experienced those challenges himself—he became a passionate advocate for mental health awareness within the military and veteran communities.
In 2025, he completed 100 consecutive days of the Murph workout, raising $20,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, he took on another extraordinary challenge: running 10 miles a day for 50 consecutive days while sharing mental health stories from all 50 states. Through this effort, he raised over $26,000 to support programs that provide mental health services and care to military members and veterans.
Jake’s dedication to service, both in and out of uniform, is a testament to the strength, compassion, and resilience that define our veteran community. I’m honored to recognize him as Bergen County’s Veteran of the Month and to thank him for his continued efforts to uplift and support others.
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