Disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients who live in New Jersey can now park for free at municipal parking meters.

The state's Motor Vehicle Commission on Thursday announced that the placards are now available.

The placards can only be used in vehicles owned by the veteran and when that person is a driver or passenger.

New Jersey Purple Hearts commander Joseph Belardo says that the placards mean more to recipients than free parking.

“[It] saves us more than the money,” he says. “It saves a lot of pain for a lot of veterans who don’t show it on a daily basis.”

Belardo says that he suffered so much nerve damage from his military service that it can be painful to walk too far, especially in the ice and snow.

Veterans looking for the placards can go to www.njmvc.gov or call 609-292-6500.

Go HERE for an extended interview with Belardo.