Master
Sgt. David Beun of the 108th Security Forces recently received
a check for $6,000. All for talking about the New Jersey Air National
Guard to some of his friends and acquaintances! How did he do that, you ask? He has gone through the process to register
in the Air National Guard G-RAP program and then brought
three people into the NJANG.
Trip
to Gettysburg battlefields
helps battalion gel together
Sgt.
1st Class Kryn P. Westhoven, 444th MPAD
The
formation of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT)
has had it share of challenges for Soldiers, like new jobs,
new armories and a slew of new unit designations.
Last
summer there was the 2nd-102nd Armor Battalion and 250th
Signal Battalion, both units were victims of transformation,
but the personnel became the nucleus of the 50th Brigade
Special Troops Battalion (BSTB).
"It
is a unique organization to the New Jersey Army National
Guard and to the Army in general," said Lt. Col. Kenneth
S. Schechter, commander of the battalion that serves as
the combat support element for the IBCT.
The
battalion includes a headquarters, Signal, Military Intelligence
and Engineer companies and has a Military Police and Chemical
Reconnaissance platoons, providing a wide range of options
to the IBCT commander.
The
final piece of the Special Troops was not put into place
until February of this year, so this new battalion decided
to do something unique during their first Annual Training
together at Fort Indiantown Gap (FIG), Pa.
The
whole battalion of more than 130 Soldiers from E-1 to O-5
boarded three busses and left FIG for the Battlefields of
Gettysburg.
"Sort
of us ushering in our new identity and connecting with that,
and we are using the Battle of Gettysburg to help us do
that," said 1st Lt. Jason E. Mull, executive officer for
the BSTB Engineer Company and one of the organizers of the
field trip.
But
it was much more than the stop and look at monuments sightseeing
tour, this trip had actually branch specific lessons taught
by the senior leaders before moving to the next location.
"Know
the weaknesses of your enemy," was the response from crowd
when the Military Intelligence Company executive officer
1st Lt. David Field asked why intelligence is important.
Using an artillery piece as his podium, Field led the discussion
on information and its use in warfare, with the Soldiers
standing near the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, the site
of the first day of battles between Union
and Confederate soldiers on July 1, 1863.
"We are forming a foundation here," stressed
Schechter as he spoke about team building and bringing the
unit together collectively.
The
trip to Gettysburg was a reward
for plenty of hard training earlier in the two weeks.
"We
were focusing on the individual readiness of the Soldiers,"
Schechter said.
That
training included weapons qualification, Warrior Training
Tasks (WTT) and Army Warrior Task Battle Drills, such as
reaction to IED's or an ambush and removing wounded Soldiers
out of vehicles.
Field
Artillery sets up FOB at Dix
Sgt.
1st Class Kryn P. Westhoven, 444th MPAD
As
you headed down the sandy road towards Artillery Firing
Point 14 on Fort Dix
you notice something was different. Barriers funneled you
to an Entry Control Point where you are greeted by a sign
'Welcome to FOB Steel' as Soldiers manned a gate carefully
checking who and what entered.
Once
inside you notice the tents lined up neatly behind a semi-circle
of artillery pieces, the 230 Soldiers of the New Jersey
Army National Guard's 3-112th Fires Battalion, 50th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) are living for two-weeks
in the same place with their cannons.
"It
is a first time for us, we consolidated and made a FOB (Forward
Operating Base)," said Lt. Col. Brian K. Scully, commander
of the 112th headquartered in Morristown.
Soldiers
in past slept in a separate bivouac area away from the guns,
but now all the firing batteries, the headquarters and the
support element, Company G, 250th Brigade Support Battalion
shared in the duties of manning the gate, providing perimeter
guards and having a Quick Reaction Force to respond to opposing
forces attacks. All movement to and from the Forward Operating
Base was done in convoys with road movement orders; and
everything is done to the Army standard added Scully.
"It
is definitely different.more combat like," said Spec. Shadiq
Shakir, who has been with the battalion eight years "A lot
more training has taken place not just with the guns."
The
Warrior Task Training is an integral component of this year's
Annual Training (AT) period and those tasks are performed
year round according to Scully.
It
is especially important for the 3-112th Fires as batteries
of this battalion have been deployed twice performing Military
Police missions in Iraq and in Germany to support the Global War
on Terrorism.
"It
is a question of balance. We have to balance the non-standard
versus the standard FA (Field Artillery) mission. We are
keeping the FA core competencies alive by the live fire
we are doing," noted Scully.
One
of the 330 rounds scheduled to land in the impact area could
be the last from the 155mm guns of the New Jersey Guard's
M109A5 howitzers.
"This
is kind of a history-making AT," explained Scully. "After
this we convert to the M119A2 105mm towed howitzer."
It
was thought to be the last firing of the self propelled
howitzers at last year's AT as the 3-112th Field Artillery
transformed into the 3-112th Fires Battalion.
"Things
have a way of changing," noted Scully, who along with the
rest of the battalion eagerly await the new equipment.
Oktoberfest
and town hall meeting on Oct. 12
Come
to the DMAVA/JFHQ Town Hall meeting and afterwards join
in the fun at the Oktoberfest at the Lawrenceville Armory
on Oct. 12A. The fest starts at noon; the mandatory town
hall meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.
For
a mere $10 admittance fee, you can enjoy a roasted pig,
bratwurst and sauerkraut, German and regular potato salads,
baked beans, strudel and assorted desserts. To wet your whistle, beverages include O'Doul's
beer, birch beer, assorted soda and water. Those attending are asked to contribute desserts.
The
entry fee includes a raffle ticket for two nights at the
Borgota in Atlantic City, breakfast, dinner and comedy
show tickets for two.
If
you are interested in attending, see your department representatives. At DMAVA, see Darlene Laarz, 609-530-6992,
Karen Wallace, 609-530-6766, Dawn Espisito, 609-530-6717
or Tina Taylor, 609-530-7170; at Fort
Dix,
see Marie Durling, 609-562-0739 or Barbara Alcott, 609-562-0870;
and at HSCOE, see Kevin Hearn, 609-530-7069.
This
event is open to employees only.
Car
donated to Vets Haven resident
From
the desk of Robert Sauselein, Vets Haven superintendent
The
Township of Evesham
recently donated a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
to Veterans Haven. The staff and residents of Vets Haven
would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Randy
Brown, Councilmen John McKenna, Mike Schmidt, Chris Brown,
Councilwoman Debbie Sarcone and Public Works Superintendent
William Cromie for their support of our Veterans.
This will enable another one of our current residents to
seek better employment and improve their quality of life.
Vets
Haven receives check from golfers
From
the desk of Robert Sauselein, Vets Haven superintendent
The
New Jersey Chapter International Association of Workforce
Professionals held a golf tournament for Veterans Haven.
Angel Llerena, chapter president, presented a check
for $3,735.43 to Gary Englert, the Director of Veterans
Services and Robert Sauselein at Vets Haven. Robert Fletcher was instrumental in Veterans
Haven being selected by the organization as their project
for this year. Thanks
to both Robert Fletcher and Mr. Angel Llerena for their
support of our Veterans.
ARMS
offers discounted trip for families to Great Wolf Lodge
From
the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hughes, Family
Assistance Specialist
ARMS
is again sponsoring a trip to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos
on October 26-28. This is a wonderful place for children
and adults and a great way for families of all ages to connect.
Right now they have 30 rooms on hold, so it will be on a
first come, first serve basis. ARMS has done this
as a group before and many of our military families have
attended.
The
price they have given is fantastic. The cost for a
room for Oct. 26-28 is $500 and for Oct. 27-28 is $250,
tax is included in the prices. The price for a group up
to six people and includes admission to the indoor water
park during your stay. The
water park is open from 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Meals are not included.
Each room ha a refrigerator and the master suites
also have a microwave.
Your
children may wear their Halloween costumes on Saturday night. Great Wolf will be sponsoring a trick or treat
night for the children. Great Wolf is not just for children.
They have many things to offer for adults: a ½ mile down
the road there is an outlet mall for shopping.
Check
out the Great Wolf Lodge website at http://www.greatwolflodge.com/
Locations/Poconos/ for information about the resort.
If
you would like to attend, they need to know as soon as possible.
Please send the following information to Ronnie Micciulla
at usslibertyhouse@comcast.net
or call 732-890-4914:
Name,
phone number, how many people will be attending and which
days everyone will be there.
No money is due before Sept. 10, but all money MUST
be paid by then. Checks can be made out to ARMS and
sent to ARMS, 64 Harding Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Monmouth
county VSO offers additional day at clinic
From
the Veterans Service Office
Effective
August 22, Don McNamara, Monmouth County Veterans Service
Officer will be at the Fort Monmouth VA Clinic Wednesdays
and Thursdays from 8 to 4 pm. He can be reached there at
732-532-4496.
State
offers annual fitness challenge
By
Ernie Razzano, Health Professions recruiter
It's
that time of year again. Working Well
NJ is having
its annual Fitness Challenge kickoff on Friday, Sept. 21.
The rain date is Sept. 28. The program will
begin at noon on state house steps, followed by a walk down
State Street and a health fair from noon-2
p.m. Let's try to have a great turn-out this year!!!
See you there!!!
Marriage
seminars open to couples
From
the desk of Marie Durling, Family Programs Specialist
Soldiers
or Airmen (Army and Air Guard) and their significant others
are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Marriage Enrichment
Seminars. Soldiers will attend in a paid SUTA status
and all expenses are paid. These seminars have been
extremely successful and are designed to strengthen relationships.
The cost of the hotel and meals are paid for by the State.
The
seminars are not therapy sessions or encounter groups nor
are they for sharing your personal concerns. The seminars
are conducted by the state chaplains' office and begin with
teaching effective communication skills, addresses problem
resolution strategies that work and teaches how to discover
the hidden issues in every relationship. The program
then moves into friendship, forgiveness, fun and sensuality.
If
you are interested in attending (soldiers that were deployed
are given priority) or need additional information, please
call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739. These seminars
usually fill up fast, so if interested, please call as soon
as possible. Upcoming seminars are:
Sept.
7-9 in south Jersey
Sept.
14-16 in central Jersey
Sept.
21-23 in north Jersey
The
New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council's
Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H) is designed to help
transitioning military personnel, National Guardsmen and
Reservists find the careers in the building and construction
industry. The program
seeks to help military members find a career in one of 15
affiliated trades, such as electrical workers, carpenters
and painters.
They
work in cooperation with the national Helmets to Hardhats
program, adding a personal component to the program's on-line
services. NJ H2H
offers veterans preparation for successful application to
any of New Jersey's
registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction
trades. Services include career counseling, entrance test
preparation and referral to supportive services.
For
program registration and information, visit online at www.njbctc.org/h2h
or contact at 732-499-7295 or at H2H@njbctc.org.
Jack
Green Memorial 5k Run/Walk October 21
The
177th Fighter Wing will be holding the first annual Jack
Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Oct. 21st at 8:30 a.m., at
the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base. Proceeds
from this event will go toward the educational fund for
Master Sgt. Jack Green's son, along with starting an additional
fund for unit members who may be faced with similar circumstances.
The event is also meant to raise awareness of the Air Force's
Fit to Fight program, a favorite focus of the late MSgt
Green who was a health and fitness enthusiast.
This
event will be open to unit members, dependents, and individuals
that would normally have access to the base. This
is not open to the general public.
Race
day registration will be at the base gym, building 229,
from 6:30-8 a.m. Entry registration postmarked by Oct. 10 will
be $10 and registration on the day of the race is $20. The first 200 participants will receive a
commemorative coin.
For
more information, contact Master Sgt. Frank Heath at 609-645-6109
or Tech. Sgt. Erica Nelson at 609-645-6224.
For Your Calendar
Town Hall meeting
for DMAVA scheduled for Sept. 6
Deputy
Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, and retired
Col. Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs,
will conduct a Town Hall meeting on Sept.
6, 2007 at 8 a.m.
At
8:45 a.m. retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Pierson and retired
Col. Jay Lovas will brief employees on the COOP/COG, which
is how the department would function in the event of a disaster.
The
Town Hall meeting and briefing will take place on the Drill
Floor at the Lawrenceville Armory. Attendance for DMVA state
employees is mandatory.
National
Guard Appreciation Day at Jenkinson's on the Boardwalk
Jenkinson's
on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, N.J., is hosting a New
Jersey National Guard Appreciation Day on Sept.
3, at Jenkinson's Pier, open only to N.J. National Guard
personnel (with IDs) and their immediate family.
Details will follow in a future issue.
First
Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk
The
First Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held
Sunday Oct. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road,
Egg Harbor Twp, N.J.
Registration
will be held from 6:30 to 8 a.m., in building. 229 - the
Base Gym. Pre registration fee is $15 if postmarked
by Oct. 10. Race
day fee will be $20. Please make checks payable to: 177
Fighter Wing Chief's Council and mail to:
MSG
Frank G Heath, 400
Langley Road, Egg
Harbor Twp.,
NJ 08234.
For
an application or information contact Tech. Sgt. Erica Nelson
at (609) 645-6224 or Master Sgt. Frank Heath at (609) 645-6109
or frank.heath@njatla.ang.af.mil
Honorable Mention
TRICARE dental coverage;
enroll today
From
the office of J1-HRO
Did
you know...Your patriotism ENTITLES you to dental coverage?
The TRICARE dental program is affordable and comprehensive.
It's
the ONLY dental insurance plan sponsored by the Department
of Defense for:
v
National Guard and Reserve Members
v
National Guard and Reserve Family Members
v
Active Duty Family Members
Enroll
today to claim the dental benefits you've earned and experience
the service you and your family deserve.
Call 800-866-8499 or visit www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com
for more information.
VA
Launches Suicide Hotline
To
ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock
access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention
hot line for veterans. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim
Nicholson said: "Veterans need to know these VA professionals
are literally a phone call away. All service members who
experience the stresses of combat can have wounds on their
minds as well as their bodies. Veterans should see mental
health services as another benefit they have earned, which
the men and women of VA are honored to provide." VA's
hot line will be staffed by mental health professionals
in Canandaigua, N.Y.
They will take toll-free calls from across the country and
work closely with local VA mental health providers to help
callers. The toll-free hot line number is 1 (800) 273-TALK
(8255).
Pilot
bonus program for Army to aid recruiting effort; reward
helpers
From
the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing Representative
Every
Soldier a Recruiter (ESAR) is a pilot referral bonus program
of the Active, Reserve and National Guard components of
the Army that provides select Soldiers and retired members
of the U.S. Army the opportunity to assist with recruiting
efforts and rewards those efforts with referral bonuses
up to $2,000. For more information, contact NJARNG Marketing
Representative Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308.
Discounts
offered for State employees
Are
you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?
Visit
www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who
offer discounts to New
Jersey state employees.
From amusement parks to fitness to computer to phones
and lots of other discounts between, you will find many
ways to save money. For more information, please contact
Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-7056.
For the Families
Military Family Day at Six Flags on
Aug. 27
Family Appreciation Day at Six Flags,
Great Adventure, Jackson, will be held on Aug.
27. The park opens at 10:30 a.m. and the discounted
tickets cost $20 per person, children under 3 have free
admittance. Parking
will cost $15 per car.
Tickets include all the rides and the
safari. Tickets can be purchased at JFHQ', Family
Program's Office (see Marie or Amanda) or at any Family
Assistance Center.
For more information, please contact the Family Program
Office at marie.durling@nj.ngb.army.mil or amanda.balas@us.army.mil. This is a one-day ticket only, not
a season pass. This offer is available to all New
Jersey National Guard soldiers, airmen and DMAVA
State
and Federal civilian employees.
Job assistance for military spouses,
retirees, injured military
From the desk of retired Command
Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Re/Max in conjunction with the US Department
of Defense Military Spouse Employment Initiative launched
Operation Re/Max in 2006 to help mentor interested military
members and their family members in a career in real estate.
Interested military spouses, retirees and injured soldiers
can obtain detailed Operation Re/Max information at http://www.remax.com/inside_remax/become_an_agent/new_to_
real_estate/index.aspx or contact operation remax@remax.net
or 1-800-826-7720.
Youth trip to Camp
May
Zoo, lighthouse on Aug. 23
Family Programs is conducting a youth
trip to Cape May zoo and lighthouse on Aug. 23 for youths, ages 8-15. Cost
is $5 per child for the T-shirts
The Family Programs staff is renting
a charter bus for the day and taking 35 children and 10
staff members as chaperones. There will be two pick-up and drop-off points
- Fort
Dix Reserve
Center
on Route 68 at 7:15 a.m./5:15 p.m. and the Hammonton Armory
at 8:30 a.m./4:30 p.m.
Reservations can be made by calling
Amanda Balas, State Youth Coordinator, at 609-562-0742 or
by e-mail at Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. They will
be taken on a first come, first serve basis and children
of deployed service members have
priority.
Sports and Entertainment
Trenton Vets Center, Trenton Thunder offer
"cheap" seats
The Trenton
Vet Center
with support from their community partner, Trenton Thunder
Baseball, will sponsor baseball tickets at a special rate
for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated,
and retired veterans. A regular $10 season ticket will be offered at $7 for veterans and family
members. The primary purpose of the program is to
allow veterans and their families an opportunity to experience
Trenton Thunder baseball due to their service and sacrifice
for our country. If you have questions, call Matt Petima, director
of ticket operations for the Trenton Thunder at 609-394-3300,
ext 1200 or the ticket box office at 609-394-3300.
Proof
of Veteran Status: Interested veterans
must have a picture I.D. and provide proof of their veteran
status by showing one of the following documents:
Military I.D. card; Federal Department of Veteran Affairs medical I.D.
card; DD Form 214.
ESGR Golf tourney on Sept. 18
From the desk of Hank Pierre, NJ
ESGR
The NJ Friends of the Guard and Reserve
is proud to present the 2007 State Chairman's Annual Golf
Outing. The golf outing will be held on Sept.18, at the Miry Run Country Club
in Robbinsville,
N.J. The
rain date is Sept. 25. The
$95 per golfer registration fee includes greens fees, cart,
registration, continental breakfast, food and beverages
on the course, door prizes and a buffet luncheon at the
golf club. Corporate,
hole and cart sponsors are also being sought. All proceeds to benefit the activities of
the NJ Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. For additional information please contact
Hank Pierre at 609-562-0156 or Tammy Cartagena at 609-562-0157.
Dave Savino Golf Tournament to be held
Sept, 17
The 11th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino
Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Sept.
17 at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Ft.
Dix. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m., with a two-person
scramble (best ball). Cost
to play is $85 per person, with checks made payable to "Lt.
Col. Dave Savino Memorial Fund."
Call Senior Master Sgt. Mike Balas at 609-330-4069
or Connie Cisek at 609-562-0901 for more information.
Proceeds from the tournament go to help fellow Guardsmen
in need.
Inaugural Joint Base Race to be held
Sept. 29
MGUIRE AFB, N.J. -- McGuire Air Force
Base, Fort Dix
and NAES Lakehurst will hold the Inaugural Joint Base Race
Sept. 29 at 8:30 a.m.
The race, featuring a half-marathon,
a 5-K Run/Walk and a Kid's Run, will be open to any interested
participants, and all DoD cardholders are encouraged to
participate. All are invited to compete against the men's
and women's military academy marathon teams from the Air Force
Academy, Naval
Academy and West
Point in the first of what base leadership plans
to be an annual event.
"This will be a good event for
us," said Col. Tom Kastner, U.S. Army Academy Marathon
Team officer in charge. "The cadets will enjoy the
sister academy competition and the whole experience."
The 13.1-mile route will be on paved
surfaces within McGuire AFB and Fort
Dix's Cantonment Area and will pass static displays
such as McGuire's "Pudgy's" aircraft, a replica
of the P-38 flown by Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr, and a C-118
that actually flew Elvis Presley to the U.S.
from Germany in March
1960. On Fort Dix, runners will see U.S. and Soviet military tanks including
a Huey Helicopter, a Russian T-72 Main Battle Tank and more.
Participants will receive a T-shirt
(if registered before Sept. 1), a participation medal, a
pasta dinner the night before the race, post-run snacks
as well as entertainment. Runners will also compete against
each other in various categories.
For more information or to register,
call 1st Lt. Terry Demille, 305th Services Squadron, at
(609) 754-4750 or go online. Registration deadline is noon
Sept. 24.
Here's to the Heroes provides a single
day's free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens
park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA
for the service member and as many as three direct dependents.
Any active duty, active reserve,
ready reserve service member or Guard member is entitled
to free admission under the program. He or she need only
register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance
plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of
Defense photo ID.
Scholarship, Education News
Scholarships for OIF/OEF veterans
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished
Americans is offering scholarships to combat veterans of
Iraq and Afghanistan. It offers a scholarship
of up to $1,250 per year for person pursuing a BA/BS degree.
You must have an honorable service record and a 2.0 GPA.
The deadline for applying is Sept. 28, 2007. Contact: www.horatioalger.org.
Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended
A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL,
and CFL football players have announced they are extending
their sponsorship of the SAT/ACT training to all military
families.
The sponsorship allows any military
person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request as
many programs as they need for the students in their lives.
There is a secure website to confirm a person's military
status before directing the user to the software order site.
Logon to::
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0
Programs are shipped to domestic
U.S. addresses and APO
addresses. The sponsorship
covers the purchase price of $199 and the family pays only
the shipping and handling of $9.95.
American Legion offers scholarships,
booklet on their Web site
The American Legion has scholarship
information on their Web site - www.legion.org
- including the 152-page booklet, Need
a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference
guide for veterans, family members and the American Legion
family. When you
get on the site, click on "Scholarship Information" in the
"Useful Links" block.
Association News
NGANJ group life insurance available
to members
Are you covered by the NGANJ Group
Life Insurance Program? As a member of either the Officers or the
Enlisted Association, you are entitled to enroll in your
Association Life Insurance Program.
This special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000
of Life Insurance for you, "round the clock".
Premiums range from as little as $2 per month and
may be payroll-deducted from your drill check. Family coverage is also available at low rates
designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and
Air National Guard. Think
of it!! No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty
restrictions...No war clauses.No checks to write. Dependent coverage includes spouses and all
children. Information
can be obtained by contacting retired CWO Jack Petrosilli
at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S.
Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004. Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling
retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator at 732-249-8335.
Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of New Jersey
The Enlisted Association is seeking
members to help give our state a larger voice.
The Association speaks on legislative issues that
benefit military members and families. The association works
at the Federal & State level on all important issues.
Visit the web site EANG-NJ.org,
click on Become a Member for the application
and find out more about what the association does.
Enlisted Association of NGNJ Conference
slated for Oct. 5-7
The
34th annual conference of the Enlisted Association of the
National Guard of New Jersey will be held at the Radisson
Hotel, Valley Forge,
Penn., Oct.
5-7.
Proceeds
from this weekend event are spent directly on our membership. It is a nice feeling to know that for every
50/50 ticket and Chinese Auction ticket you buy helps fund
the scholarship program allows junior enlisted to attend
the National Conference and supports legislative actions
for benefits and so much more.
Friday
night features "The American Game Show Challenge," which
is a series of fun trivia contests and physical challenges.
Saturday
is back to business with a business meeting and elections
for the executive council. The new Junior Enlisted Team is sponsoring
the Chinese Auction. Local
attractions are abundant; register for trips to Valley Forge
and/or Longwood Gardens. Saturday Night wraps up our conference with
our customary formal Military Ball.
There
are several package plans to fit your particular needs. If you have any questions, call retired Sgt.
Maj. Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or e-mail at jcptfalc@aol.com
or Co-Chairman retired Sgt. Maj. Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972
or e-mail at esgtmaj@comcast.net. Visit the association's web site at www.eang-nj.org/conference_2007.pdf for additional information, updates and applications.
NGANJ's calendar for members in 2007
The National Guard Association of
New Jersey will be conducting the following event.
All members (active and retirees) are encouraged
to participate:
§
National
Guard Association of the United
States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico
from August 25-27,
2007. The New
Jersey delegation will be staying
at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport).
Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great pool
for the family and is located close to the convention center
(10 minutes). We
have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis. Additional information and registration forms
will be coming out shortly.
If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose
Maldonado.
§
NGANJ
Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ
website. If you need
copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional information,
please go to the website at:
www.nganj.org.
Veterans Information
DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues
The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign
continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout
New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:
September
12, 13*, 14 |
Livingston
Mall |
October
2, 3, 4 |
Deptford
Mall |
October
30*, 31, November 1 |
Brunswick
Square Mall |
November
27, 28, 29 |
Quaker
Bridge Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30
a.m. on these dates. The
kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July-Sept.; 10
a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oct. and Nov.
N.J. Vietnam
Veterans Memorial
N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and
Vietnam Era
Educational Center's
upcoming events:
=================
Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered on the first
Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Aug. 25, 1 p.m. - "Veterans Returning
to Vietnam," an oral-history presentation by
NJ Vietnam Veteran Bob Maras about his return trips to Vietnam taking other veterans returning
to their former war zone for the first time. "Veterans
find there just what they need. For me," says
Maras, "it is healing." Maras served in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion,
9th Marines, nicknamed "The Walking Dead."
Sep. 14, 7 p.m. - "An Evening with
Adrien Cronauer," a special presentation by the original
"Good Morning, Vietnam!"
Armed Forces Radio disc jockey.
Sep. 16, 12:30 p.m. - Rolling Thunder-NJ
Motorcycle Run for POW/MIA Awareness, departs Warinaco
Park, Roselle, N.J.
at 11:30 a.m.; arrives N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at
12:30 p.m.
Sep. 21, 11:00 a.m. - National Gold
Star Mothers Day and National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony.
Sep. 22, 1 p.m. - Secret
and
Dangerous: Night of the So'n Tay POW Raid, lecture
and book signing by the author, Vietnam Veteran air commando
pilot Bill Guenon.
Oct. 19, 8 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - "Weighing
In On War, and Why: Public Opinion and Its Influences, Vietnam
to Iraq,"
9th annual Forum on the Vietnam Era. Keynote Speaker:
Bobby Muller, Founder of Vietnam
Veterans of America.
Preregistration required.
Oct. 20, 1 p.m. - "Choppers at War:
Vietnam to Iraq," a lecture by NJ Vietnam
and Iraq War Veteran, Lt. Col. Mark Preston, USA.
Nov. 3, 1 p.m. - The
Last Ghost of War, a
film about Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange presented by
film director Janet Gardner.
Dec. 8, 1 p.m. - Ghosts
in the Landscape:
Vietnam Revisited, a
photo gallery display and book discussion by the author/photographer,
N.J. Vietnam Veteran Craig J. Barber.
====================
For further information call 1-800-648-VETS
or visit www.njvvmf.org.