Mark and Scott Kelly will be in town to receive the award next month.
WEST ORANGE -- When retired twin astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly return to their New Jersey hometown next month, they will be the first and second to receive a new honor.
Township officials in West Orange announced Thursday that Mayor Robert Parisi will award the brothers the first ever "Mayoral Medals."
Mark Kelly and his crew walk out for the launch of Shuttle Endeavour last year. (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)The recognition is meant to be the "highest award bestowed upon individuals by the township," officials said.
Parisi "created the distinction to recognize former or current residents for exceptional citizenship and outstanding achievement," officials said in a release.
The Kelly brothers will be in town for a ceremony renaming West Orange's Pleasantdale elementary school after them.
The two have made multiple notable trips to space as NASA astronauts, including Scott Kelly's recent yearlong mission on board the international space station. In addition to multiple scientific experiments, Scott tweeted hundreds of photos from space, include one of West Orange.
The renaming and medal ceremonies are set to take place in West Orange on May 19.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.