Governor Corzine Signs Bill for Veterans' Oral History Foundation at Yellow Ribbon Conference for Soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Veterans’ oral history project kicks-off in Atlantic City at IBCT affair

ATLANTIC CITY - Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed a bill establishing a Veterans' Oral History Foundation during his visit with 2,750 soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard's 50^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Atlantic City Convention Center, kicking off the first of three reintegration events planned to provide military veterans with fundamental and supportive services. The two-day event (Aug. 16 - 17) will feature a Career, Education and Support Services Expo. 

"The Veterans' Oral History initiative will preserve and provide a vivid and far-reaching account of the personal experiences felt and lived out by the many brave servicemen and women from our great state." Governor Corzine said. "New Jersey's rich military history and centuries of contributions and sacrifices will be shared for generations." 

This bill, A-1707/S-288, establishes a Veterans' Oral History Foundation, which will be devoted to the sponsoring of activities and the raising of funds for the support and promotion of a veterans' oral history program. The foundation may incorporate, organize and operate in such manner as to be eligible under applicable federal law for tax-exempt status and for the receipt of tax-deductible contributions. 

"We owe our freedoms to those who have served this nation over the many years, and their histories must never be lost," said Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden). "With this new law, quite simply, we'll be keeping their stories alive, and providing vivid history lessons for our children on what it means to be an American and to sacrifice to protect our liberty." 

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) feels likewise. "This will keep the memories and stories of New Jersey's veterans alive for generations to come," he said. "Each generation has a different history to tell, and who better to hear it from than the people who created that very history. The foundation will ensure the heroic efforts of our veterans will never be forgotten." 

The foundation will be established in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and will consist of nine members, as a board of directors. 

Today's bill signing complements the Veterans Employment & Training Services (VETS) initiative and the National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Program, which are programs designed to ensure that returning soldiers and their families have access to a host of supportive services that include education, health and career guidance and resources. 

During this weekend's 50^th IBCT ‘30-day' reintegration event, the soldiers will be provided workshops and informational sessions. The sessions will incorporate community referrals and other linkages necessary for the soldiers to successfully transition back into civilian life.

Upon their return the members of the 50^th IBCT began the process of transitioning from soldier back to the community. For 10 days after their return, the soldiers underwent a period of reconstitution. During the reconstitution, the soldiers received assistance and briefings in the following areas: medical, dental, mental health, suicide prevention, PTSD, administrative, legal, family support, employment and other areas geared towards making their transition back to the community as smooth as possible. 

Following the reconstitution process, soldiers entered into the reintegration phase at intervals of 30, 60 and 90 days. The reintegration phase expands on all of the capsulated reconstitution information and provides intensive sessions aimed at fully transitioning the soldier back to the community.

In 2007, Governor Jon S. Corzine established the Yellow Ribbon Committee on Returning Combat Veterans (YRC) under the auspices of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine the emergent issues facing Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans. 

In the FY 2008 New Jersey State Budget, $1million was allocated to address the issues thus determined. A portion of this allocation was earmarked to provide relief, in the form of grants, for a range of veteran/family emergencies and business "Re-Start" assistance. Realizing the extent of the existing need and the obligation to render assistance to New Jersey veterans in recompense for their unselfish and heroic service, the Yellow Ribbon Program was funded for FY2009. 

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