Scharfenberger: Murphy must step in after reports of sickened National Guard members

Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Middletown) wants Gov. Phil Murphy to step in after reports of undercooked and otherwise lacking meals sickening members of New Jerseys National Guard deployed to guard the U.S. Capitol.

“With continued reports of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. being served spoiled meat coming on the heels of their assigned placement in a garage to sleep overnight in January, it is imperative that Governor Murphy step-up to ask what is going on down there as is his right to demand better treatment for the Guard during their deployment,” he said.

On Tuesday, The Detroit News reported complaints from members of the Michigan National Guard about meals that were undercooked or otherwise lacking.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) on Wednesday said dozens of New Jersey’s National Guard members were made ill by the meals, including some who vomited in the Senate parking lot.

“These men and women deserve infinitely better conditions while serving to preserve order at the behest of the federal government,” the assemblyman said.

Sardi’s Catering, the company responsible for feeding the Guard in Washington, denied its meals were responsible for the gastronomic unrest.

“I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor will join me in getting answers. Our Guard deserves that, at the very least, and so do their families at home here in New Jersey,” Scharfenberger said.