News For Your Views
Civil Support
Team change of command on Nov. 28
The 21st
Civil Support Team (WMD) will hold a Change of Command
ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at
the Lawrenceville Armory. Command will be relinquished from Lt. Col.
Gerard R. Gagnon to Maj. Jesse M. Arnstein. Dress
is duty uniform for military and business casual
for civilians. RSVP by Nov. 21 at 609-562-3236 or
toby.tirrito@us.army.mil.
177th honor
guard will strut their stuff at Jets game
For you
football fans - The 177th Fighter Wing Honor
Guard will be performing for the
N.Y. Jets game on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.
Flu shots
offered at DMAVA
DMAVA Flu
Shots will be administered on Wednesday, Nov.
28. Those scheduled to receive the
shot at DMAVA Headquarters are to go to Conference
Room V (2nd Floor) on the following schedule:
v
9:30 a.m. Group 1 - Front Office, HRD, PAO
v
10 a.m. Group 2 - FD, Veterans, Mercer VSO Office,
Veterans Haven
v
10:30 a.m. Group 3 - ID, HSCOE
v
11 a.m. - Group 4 - IASD
108th support
UK
AWACS at McGuire
From
the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO
The 108th
Air Refueling Wing will help support 2 United Kingdom
E-3D AWACS from the 54(R) Squadron, RAF Waddington,
who are deploying to McGuire Air Force Base from
Nov. 30-Dec. 12.
The AWACS will be flying multiple sorties
against our own KC-135E model tankers and KC-10
aircraft from the 305th Air Mobility Wing and the
514th Air Mobility Wing.
The 108th will provide fuel and maintenance
support on an as-needed basis due to the similar
airframe and state of the art ramp facilities.
254th conducting
military police course
The 254th
Regiment is conducting a 31B Military Police military
occupational specialty course. It is an IDT course
at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt,
NJ commencing Jan. 5, 2008.
The course
provides soldiers the military knowledge and skills
required to function as a military policeman to
include; maneuver and mobility support operations,
area security, interment and resettlement and law
and order and police intelligence operations.
It is intensive
instruction in the latest techniques of self-defense,
police ethics, military law, and techniques to searching
and responding to anti-terrorism threats.
Minimum
required score in aptitude area ST on ASVAB is:
v
95 if administered prior to 2 January 2002.
v
92 if administered 2 January 2002- 1 July 2004.
v
91 if administered after 1 July 2004.
Security
clearance required is CONFIDENTIAL.
This is
part one of a three phase MOS course. Seats are
available. School code is 1004.
For information
contact: Master Sgt. Gary Davidson, at 732-974-5912
or
e-mail:
Gary.m.Davidson@us.army.mil.
Free downloadable
CD available for military
By Samantha
L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service
Just in
time for the holidays, 13 major recording artists
have created a musical "Thank You" for the troops.
"CD for
the Troops" will be available for anyone with a
valid military identification card to download at
no cost from the Army and Air Force Exchange service
Web site, www.aafes.com, beginning tomorrow, Nov. 17.
Musicians
such as Billy Joel, Brooks & Dunn, the Goo Goo
Dolls, Jewel, Josh Groban, Los Lonely Boys, Melissa
Ethridge, the Neville Brothers, Sarah McLachlan,
the Lt. Dan Band, Montgomery Gentry, the Fray and
Five for Fighting contributed to the project.
John Ondrasik,
the singer-songwriter who performs under the stage
name "five for fighting," spearheaded the project.
Ondrasik is a staunch support of America's service members. He hopes the downloadable version of the CD
will be available on the AAFES Web site through
April. Hard copies of the CD will be sent to troops
in theater, military hospitals and Fisher Houses.
Onderasik hopes the music "inspires, motivates,
provides and avenue for reflection or simply distracts
you from a mission few can imagine, much less undertake."
"If anything,
let each tune be a small piece of home to carry
you forward," he said. "Thank you for all you do,
and feel free to shoot me an e-mail with requests
for 'CD for the Troops II.'"
108th holding
holiday party on Dec. 9
From
the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO
On Sunday,
Dec. 9, the 108th Air Refueling Wing will be hosting
a Commander's Call to include a Holiday Party for
unit members and their families. The 108th will
sponsor Operation Youth Deployment where family
members will be able to take part in a simulated
deployment.
Scouts visit
108th ARW, earn badges
From
the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO
Last week,
108th ARW Plans Officer, Maj. Francine Main, assisted
Girl Scout Junior Troop 23459 when several visiting
Cub and Girl Scout Troops earned two Scout Badges.
Maj. Main lead discussions on Military Aviation
careers and International Travel. The interactive presentation stressed the
fun and excitement of travel around the world with
the need to be cultural ambassadors and responsible
aviators. Master
Sgt. Barbara Alcott, JFHQ-HRO, is one of the leaders
of Troop 23459.
Armed Forces
Vacation Club offers affordable lodging
The Armed
Forces Vacation Club is a "space available"
program offering Department of Defense affiliated
personnel affordable condominium vacations at over
3,500 resorts around the world. Visit http://www.afvclub.com/ for more information.
DMAVA Suggestion
program alive and well
The DMAVA
Suggestion Program is still in effect and the Suggestion
Box is located in the cafeteria on the center column
wall.
You can
find the suggestion form at www.nj.gov/military; click on Blank Forms. Unsigned
suggestions may/or may not be answered, depending
on their importance. Unsigned suggestions,
if they warrant a response, will be answered at
Town Hall Meetings. All signed suggestions
will receive a response from Col. Alan Bunting,
TAG-SEA.
If you have
any questions regarding this program, call Renee
McGuire, 609-530-6983.
Identity
theft and your child
With all
the talk of identity theft, one group has been completely
forgotten: your children.
In 2004,
more than 400,000 children were identity theft victims;
double the number from 2003.
So how is
this possible? Simple, children are registered
for social security numbers almost immediately after
being born. Because they have no history,
their records are the perfect opportunity for abuse
by identity thieves.
Here are
some simple steps to prevent this from happening:
v
Discuss with your child about the importance of
keeping their information private and never share
that information with strangers.
v
Watch the mail for offers from credit card companies
or bills with their name on them; report any suspicious
activity to credit bureaus.
For more
information on identity theft; go to www.ftc.gov/credit.
Free tickets
to John Lithgow's children's concert, Nov. 17
There are
free tickets available for all military personnel
and their families for John Lithgow's Children's
Concert, "The Sunny Side of the Street."
The concert
is on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11a.m., at Patriots
Theater at the War Memorial, in Trenton.
The show is targeted toward elementary school and
pre-school kids, but is popular with all ages.
Anyone interested
in tickets can go to the box office at Patriots
Theater and present military identification, to
be given free tickets. There is no limit on
the number of tickets. You can call the box
office at 609-984-8400.
More
information can be garnered on the website:
www.thewarmemorial.com, or on
John Lithgow's website: www.palooza.com. This show is headed for Broadway,
and in January will be taped for HBO!
Affordable
TRICARE benefit for drilling National Guard members
The John
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007 (P.L.
109-364),
enhanced the TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) health
plan. Under this new TRS health plan, effective
October 1, 2007, certain members of the Selected
Reserve may qualify for health care coverage under
TRS at $81 for single coverage and $253 for family
coverage. Selected
Reserve members who are enrolled or eligible to
enroll in a health benefit plan under chapter 89
of title 5 U.S.C. Federal Employees Health Benefit
Program (FEHBP), IRR and ING Soldiers are excluded
from purchasing TRS.
Soldiers
currently enrolled in the three tier TRS program
must have transitioned to the new program by Sept.
30, 2007. For
more information or to enroll contact your state
representative listed on
http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit, select the "benefits update" link
for the Tricare Reserve Select information page.
N.J. licenses,
registration extended for deployed troops
New Jerseyans who are active
duty military, including the National Guard and military reserves, serving in the war on terrorism, are eligible
for automatic extensions of a valid driver license,
registration or inspection expiration dates. Go
to www.nj.gov/mvc/ for more information.
N.J. Vietnam Veterans'
Memorial Foundation holds Veterans Day ceremony
By Sibley Smith, Directory of Education, Vietnam Era
Educational Center at the NJVVM
At 12:30
p.m. on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, the New Jersey
Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation held its annual
Veterans Day ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam
Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel.
Approximately
500 people attended the commemorative event, which
was held in the Memorial's courtyard, surrounded
by the circular, black granite wall bearing the
names of 1,560 New Jerseyans whose lives were lost
in the Vietnam War.
The Keynote Speaker was US Army Major Thomas Ace
Hallowell of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard
(and formerly of the New Jersey Army National Guard). He has been mobilized three
times with the PA National Guard since September
11, 2001, and has served in Germany, Kosovo and Iraq. In Iraq, he served as an operations
officer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry
Division, in Al Anbar Province.
Major Hallowell gave a moving testimony of
the valor and commitment he's witnessed among our
troops and our veterans.
Kelly Watts,
Executive Director of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans'
Memorial Foundation, assisted by Vietnam Veteran
and NJVVMF Volunteer George Dousis, announced that
the Memorial Foundation recently inducted three
Vietnam Veterans into the "In Memory" program.
"In Memory" honors those veterans who had
served tours of duty in Vietnam and
returned home, but died later as a result of their
tour. Family members were acknowledged, spoke about
their loved ones, and placed lit candles in memory
of their loved ones at the base of the Fallen Soldier
statue. The
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans so honored were Army
veteran Anthony F. Januszak Jr., Sayreville, who
died Sept. 9, 1991; Marine Corps veteran David A.
Novak, Barnegat, who died June 10, 2007; and Army
veteran Joseph H. Wilfong, Morganville, who died
July 19, 2006. Pavers,
engraved with their names, were added to the "In
Memory" walk in the Memorial's courtyard in the
shade of the centerpiece Red Oak tree, the State
Tree of New Jersey.
Wreaths were then placed under the Oak tree and facing the
statue by various veteran and service organizations. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed
an Open House at the adjacent Vietnam Era
Educational
Center,
which includes a museum and research library.
Military Training,
Schools, Opportunities
254th offers
Combat Lifesaver course
From
the 254th Regiment
The Combat
Lifesaver Course (CLS) is a 40 hour course taught
over three days by the 254th Regiment at Sea Girt.
It instructs non-medical soldiers in the latest
techniques of self aid and buddy aid. The course
is centered on reducing the number of combat deaths
due to the three top causes: bleeding from an extremity,
tension pneumothorax (lung collapse) and traumatic
brain injury.
The instruction
and hands-on training includes Tactical Combat Casualty
Care, Medevac procedures, improvised litters, and
numerous other subjects.
Point of
contact for this training at the Regiment is Sgt.
1st Class Stephen Cosmanic at 732 974-4878 or STEPHEN.R.COSMANIC@NJ.NGB.ARMY.MIL.
For questions
about this or any other course also contact Master
Sgt. Gary Davidson at 732 974-5912 or Gary.m.davidson@us.army.mil. Or see your Unit Readiness NCO.
More information
can be found at AKO in the medical knowledge network
in med training: HTTP://WWW.CS.AMEDD.ARMY.MIL/CLSP/.
Speaking,
recognition opportunities for diverse Soldiers
Operation
Tribute to Freedom is seeking OIF/OEF Soldiers who
trace their roots to Spain, Mexico
or the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America,
South America and the Caribbean, and Soldiers of Middle Eastern descent to share
their story at events. If you are interested in
participating in this program, send an e-mail to
PAO@njdmava.state.nj.us. Responses should include the Soldier's name,
contact information, bio with brief deployment history,
awards and PAO contact information. Include "Diverse
Soldier" in the subject line.
TDY available
if necessary, but local/hometown Soldiers are preferred.
Responses will be taken on an ongoing basis.
254th Regiment
holding training courses
The 254th Regiment (CA) will be holding training
courses in the upcoming months at the National Guard
Regional Training Institute, Sea Girt.
Inactive Duty Training -
Small Group Instructor Training Course, (SGITC) Jan. 5-6,
Feb. 2-3, March 1, 2008. You can learn about personality
types and the human thought process, how to control
the sharp shooter in class, and how to present the
best class possible. Few seats remain, sign up now.
Basic NCO Course,(BNCOC) next course starts in April 2008
.
Military Police (31B10 MOS-T) Phase I, June 7-8, 2008; 5
seats available. Class starts in 3 weeks, get your
soldiers registered today.
PRE WARRIOR Leadership Course, three weekends: Jan. 5-6,
Feb. 2-3 and March 1-2, 2008; seats available. Tune
up those map reading skills, pass Warrior Leadership
Course.
Officer Candidate School Class 52 (OCS)- Project officers interviewing candidates
at this time.
Active Duty Training -
Combat Medic Training Course (68W Sustainment), Dec. 3-12,
2007, 20 seats will be available. Look for course
in ATRRS on Oct. 22.
For more information, contact Master Sgt. G. Davidson, 254th
Regiment operations sergeant, 732-974-5912, Gary.Davidson@us.army.mil or your unit Readiness
NCO. You
can also visit our school information on ATRSS at
https://www.atrrs.army.mil/atrrscc/, school code is
1004.
Farewell
to Brig. Gen. Harvey
Come and
say goodbye and relive the good old days at the
retirement dinner for Brig. Gen. Charles Harvey
on Dec. 15 at the Lawrenceville Army. The dinner will be held on the drill floor,
6-11 p.m. Cost
is $35 per person and the dress is business casual.
RSVP by
Dec. 7 to Marie Durling, 609-562-0739.
Send your check, made payable to DMAVD Employee
Activity Fund, to: Joint Force Headquarters, ATTN:
Marie Durling, 3650 Saylors Pond Road, Fort Dix
NJ 08640.
For Your Calendar
DMAVA Holiday party slated for Dec. 14
From
the desk of Darlene Laarz, Holiday
Committee
The DMAVA/JFHQRS
Holiday Party will be held this year on Dec. 14.
The mandatory Town Hall will be at 11:30 a.m., with
the holiday party immediately following. The
cost of the event will be $10, which will include
a raffle ticket for a big flat screen TV and a meal
from Amici Milano's. Keep the date open so
we can celebrate the holiday together!
School will
hold veterans program, Dec. 12
On Dec. 12, for the third year, the Midtown Community Elementary School
(formerly Ridge Ave) will host a veterans program
to honor those who served our country.
We invite
the veterans from around our area and our family
members. First there will be a small breakfast with
the veterans. The high school ROTC will present
the color guard and the high school band will play
taps.
Students
grades three through five have a writing contest
to see who will read their writing to the veterans
during the program.
The students will sing a variety of patriotic
songs. Veterans will receive tokens of the student's
appreciation.
Following
the program, the veterans will have a chance to
speak to the entire school population. Then the
vets will be placed in smaller groups with our students
to share special thoughts with them.
If you wish
to participate, call Brenda Cook Johnson, Educational
Media Specialist/ Librarian, 732-776-2200 extension
3401.
Middle School
invites military, veterans to "South Pacific"
From
the desk of Ronald Slate, Supervisor of Visual,
Performing and Practical Arts, Springfield
Public Schools
Springfield,
NJ - Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School would like
to extend an invitation to all of our service men
and women to our performance of Rogers and Hammerstein's
South Pacific on Dec.
7 at 7 p.m. The performance will take place
at Jonathan Dayton
High School's
Halsey Hall Auditorium, 139
Mountain Avenue, Springfield,
NJ 07081.
The school
plans to honor our local service organizations such
as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
the Jewish War Veterans,
and the Vietnam Veterans Association along with
active members of our armed forces at this performance
and would like to have you join this celebration.
Students
and faculty are sure this will be a special evening
for our students, veterans and community.
Honorable Mention
DMAVA annual
coat drive, Nov. 1-23
From the
desk of Paul Serdiuk, DMAVA HRD
The annual
New Jersey State Employees Coat Drive started on
Nov. 1 and will run through Nov. 23.
Maj. Gen.
Glenn K. Rieth is asking for your support of this
worthwhile effort in helping those in need before
the cold weather sets in. This year DMAVA has been
approved to donate all the coats that we collect
either to the Veteran's Homes, Veteran's Haven or
to a local charity organization.
Coats must
be clean and in serviceable condition. Coats for
men, women and children will be accepted. The drop-off
point for DMAVA Central is located in the front
foyer of the building.
Additional
information can be obtained from DMAVA's Coat Drive
Coordinator, Paul Serdiuk at 609-530-6878.
Thank you
for your support in helping other New Jerseyans
who are less fortunate.
New recycling
rules for Lawrenceville, West
Trenton
From
the desk of Joseph K. Dunleavy, Environmental Specialist
The state
has hired a new contractor to implement the Governors
Executive Order pertaining to recycling at all State
owned and operated facilities. This guidance
is targeted for the workforce within the DMAVA
Lawrenceville complex and West Trenton NJARNG locations
only. The contractor and the Treasury Department
have provided new collection containers for recyclable
items. These containers are to be placed on
the loading dock prior to the 2nd and 4th Tuesday
of each month so that the collection truck can pick
them up. Please inform all personnel of the requirements.
All aluminum
& steel cans, plastic and glass bottles (coded
1 & 2) need to be placed in the "Decorative
Containers" or the blue containers with round openings,
in the Headquarters
Building
for disposal. Please no caps or lids!
These items will be collected on Fridays at
the loading dock.
The new
company will be conducting participatory audits
and notify the Governors Office of participation
rates. Encourage everyone in your office to
recycle office paper, white paper, colored paper,
Post It T notes, newspaper, magazines, envelopes,
folders, junk mail, and paper wrappers.
Doyle Cemetery Council selling grave blankets
The Veterans
Cemetery Advisory Council of the Brig.
Gen. William
C. Doyle
Veterans
Cemetery
is offering the sale of Grave Blankets for placement
on grave sites in the Doyle Cemetery
for the 2007 holiday season.
The blankets
are 2 feet by 3 feet and cost $30.
They must be ordered by Nov. 30. Profits
from the sale of the grave blankets will benefit
the beautification of the cemetery.
Call 609-758-7250
or visit www.state.nj.us/military/cemetery for more information.
Federal
benefits open season coming soon
The Federal
Benefits Open Season for 2008 is almost here! Don't miss out on this opportunity. Federal employees can enroll or make changes
to their enrollment in Federal Employees Health
Benefit and in one of the seven dental plans, three
vision plans and set up flexible spending accounts
for health care and dependent care.
Flexible
spending accounts are easy.
You pay for a wide range of common, out-of-pocket
dependent and health care expenses and then receive
reimbursement from your dependent and/or health
care flexible spending account(s).
By setting aside pre-tax dollars, you reduce
your taxable income, thereby paying less in taxes
and saving money.
Eligible
non-medical expenses for the dependent care account
include child care and adult daycare.
Eligible expenses for the health care account
include co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles,
over-the-counter medicines like cold remedies, prescription
drugs, vision and dental expenses, and much more.
Current
2007 Participants:
you MUST re-enroll to participate in 2008.
Enrollments do NOT carry forward year-to-year.
Visit www.FSAFEDS.com to learn more about the FSAFEDS Program.
To find
out more about the other available programs, visit
http://opm.gov/insure/. Or call Sgt. Jacquelyn Bertrand at 609-562-0866.
Guard, Reserve
members, families encouraged to nominate employers
The Department
of Defense will open the nomination season for the
2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom
Award on Nov. 1, 2007. National Guard and
Reserve members and their families are eligible
and encouraged to nominate employers who have gone
above and beyond in their support of military employees.
Nominations will be accepted at www.esgr.mil from
Nov. 1, 2007 to Jan. 21, 2008. The Secretary
of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the
U.S.
government's highest recognition given to outstanding
employers.
For questions
regarding the nomination process, please contact
New Jersey ESGR at 609-562-0156.
New Jersey Bar Association offers pro bono
military legal assistance
The New
Jersey Bar Association established and administers
the Military Legal Assistance Program.
This pro bono program provides assistance
to New Jersey residents who have served overseas
as active duty members of reserve components of
the armed forces after Sept. 11, 2001.
Individuals
who have been adversely affected upon their return
from deployment and cannot be represented by military
lawyers can use this program. The program currently
offers assistance to the following areas: family
law, employment law, veterans' benefits and debtor-creditor
law.
The Military
Legal Assistance program will refer members of the
military who contact the state bar association to
volunteers qualified to assist them with their specific
legal issues. Volunteers
who accept a case through the program must agree
to handle such case from inception to resolution
without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
If interested
in the program, call toll free 1-888-541-1900 for
referral or visit the New Jersey State Bar Association
web site at www.njsba.com and click on the button for the Military Legal
Assistance program.
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).
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
Photography contest for military youths
From the desk of Amanda Balas, State Youth
Coordinator
Operation Military Kids project in New Jersey is sponsoring
a photo contest.
The theme is "Families in the Military."
Any youth of a military family in any branch of
the service, including active duty, National Guard
and Reserves is eligible to enter.
The age categories for entries are grades 2-5,
grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.
Photos can be black and white or color and
can be in digital or 35mm format.
Photos must be taken by the youth and should
capture a unique moment or setting their family
life or in their community that means something
special to them.
They will be judged on originality and creativity. First and second places will be awarded in
each age category.
Contact Amanda Balas, N.J. National Guard State
Youth Coordinator, for entry forms and more information
at 609-562-0742 or Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. Deadline
for submissions is Jan. 14, 2008.
Army Information Line: 1-800-833-6622
The Army Information Line (1-800-833-6622) is
designed to help all Soldiers and their Family members
whether they are deployed; stationed stateside or
overseas; are brand new to the Army; or are 30 year
veterans.
In addition to The Army Information Line, Army
Well-Being's Army Families Online Web site www.ArmyFamiliesOnline.org recently
welcomed its 2-millionth visitor this year.
The Army Information Line also celebrates its
25-year existence of providing information and referral
services to those Soldiers and Family members.
Support for military children of deployed and
injured Guard members
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance specialist
Our Military Kids (OMK) provides tangible
support to the children of deployed and severely
injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel
through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring
that nurture and sustain the children during the
time a parent is away in service to our country.
OMK grants are made to honor the sacrifices military
parents make and to ensure that the children have
access to activities and support that help the children
better cope with challenges arising during a parent's
deployment or injury recovery. For additional information
go to www.ourmilitarykids.org
N.J.
State
Family Readiness Council offers Family Grants
Program
The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness
Council has expanded its Family Grants Program to
include an additional grant. There are now
two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500
grant that has been in place for the past couple
of years. The TIER II opens family grants
to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed
service members who were on State Active Duty or
State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border
missions) for more than 20 consecutive days.
Service members meeting these criteria are eligible
to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500.
Applications are available at all New Jersey Army
and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.
Program offers assistance to spouses of deployed
military
The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance Program
provides direct assistance and referrals to existing
programs for spouses of deployed military personnel
(active duty, reserve and National Guard) who face
unusual financial and emotional stress as a result
of the deployments.
Applicants should contact Fawn Mutschler at 609-543-6200
ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org to obtain
an application. In addition to the completed
application form, applicants will also need to submit
the following documentation: LES/paystub for applicant
and spouse; statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason
for applying and how the grant will help); bill
or pricing of expenditure as well as any other supporting
information the applicant feels may be helpful.
Additional information can be found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml
Travel Help, Ideas
Shades of Green offers Disney for military
Now that the summer is almost over, thoughts
of how to spend next summer or your next vacation
week, can start to pop into your mind.
"Can we go someplace better or different,
nearer or farther from home, all without breaking
the bank?"
One place to consider if Florida
is one of your next vacation places is Shades of
Green in Orlando. Minutes
from the Disney attractions, this resort is also
close to golf, dining and other Florida
attractions.
Their web site, www.shadesofgreen.org can give
you tours of their rooms and family suites, the
local attractions and other amenities that are offered
by the resort. The
rates are reasonable and will be a opportunity to
visit Orlando with your family.
Visit West Point,
take in the Ike Hall theater
Are you looking for a different place to visit
to find history, food and performances of a good
variety? Think about visiting the United States Military
Academy.
While there you can tour the historic grounds,
find lodging and meals, go to the visitor center
where you can purchase something to remember your
visit and then enjoy live entertainment at the second-largest
theater in New
York - the Eisenhower Hall
theatre.
The list of upcoming entertainment includes stage
productions of musicals and plays, ballet, and music
- orchestra, jazz and individual performers.
Three performances in September included
acrobats, opera and a comedian.
Individual ticket prices range from approximately
$25-50 for most performances.
The post is open to civilians; everyone 16 and
older must present photo ID.
Find out more information about Eisenhower Hall
at http://www.ikehall.com/. To find out more about the United States Military Academy,
visit http://www.usma.edu/.
Philadelphia
Phantoms Military Appreciation Night, Dec. 7
Join the Philadelphia Phantoms
on Military Appreciation Night as they take on the
Norfolk Admirals on Friday, Dec.
7 at 7:05 p.m., at the Wachovia Spectrum.
The Phantoms will have historical displays
on the concourse and will also be remembering the
anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Tickets for the game are only $10 for U. S. Veterans and U. S. military
personnel (regular price $19). To order your tickets,
call Nick Milillo at 215-952-5772 or visit:
http://ev15.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=PR:PR:5553564554&linkID=global-wachovia&shopperContext=&caller=PR&appCode=&prc=USVET.
Scholarship, Education News
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.
Veterans Information
N.J.
Militia
Museum
conducting Retiree Oral History Program
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
has put together a National Guard Veteran Retiree
Oral History Program. In the past, the NJNG
has not conducted oral exit interviews of commanders,
full-time personnel, and retirees to preserve history.
The museum is going to institute a volunteer program
to try to catch up. If
you wish to participate, contact the museum at 732-974-5966.
Vet Career Connect helps military members find
jobs
Vet Career Connect is a program designed to connect
military service members with New
Jersey employers. Vet Career
Connect matches veteran's specific abilities, drives
and interests with jobs requiring those specific
abilities.
Participants complete a Caliper Profile, which
is an on-line self assessment. They will receive
an Individual Developmental Guide outlining personal
motivators and areas of developmental opportunity.
Participants will then have the opportunity to place
the results of the Caliper Profile, their resume
and military achievements onto a database which
will be viewed by New Jersey-based companies who
have indicated a strong interest in employing veterans.
Vet Career Connect program is available at no
cost to service members. In order to participate
in this program, or if you have additional questions
please email or call Barbara
Foos, Project Administrator, at
609-524-1228 or bfoos@calipercorp.com.
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:
November 27, 28, 29 |
Quaker Bridge Mall |
January 8,9, 2008 |
Woodbridge
Center |
February 5, 6, 7 |
Moorestown Mall |
March 4*, 5, 6 |
Paramus
Park
Shopping Center |
April 1, 2, 3 |
Voorhees
Town
Center |
May 6*, 7, 8 |
Ocean County Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these
dates. The
kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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.
Nov. 29, 6 p.m. - Salute to Patriotism
Gala, with special guests U.S. Army Gen. Frederick
J. Kroesen, N.J. Air Guard Brig. Gen. Robert S.
Dutko and members of the 514 Air
Mobility Wing. DMAVA will present Vietnam
Service Medals, Distinguished and Meritorious Service
Medals. Advance registration required.
Dec. 1, 6 p.m. - Holiday
Lighting Ceremony at the N.J. Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Christmas
Tree, Hanukkah Menorah, and Kwaanza Candles.
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.
Jan. 19, 1 p.m. - The U.S. Air
Force in the Battle of Khe Sanh, an oral-history
presentation by N.J. Vietnam Veteran, ret. Maj.
Gen. Clark W. Martin, U.S. Air Force.
Feb. 2, 1 p.m. - In the Navy
in Vietnam, an oral history presentation by
N.J. Vietnam Veteran and Monmouth University President,
ret. Vice Adm. Paul G. Gaffney II, U.S. Navy.
Mar. 1, 1 p.m. - American Vietnam Veterans
Who Wouldn't Come Home, an oral-history discussion
about American ex-patriots recently encountered
on a trip to Thailand by Steve Lonegan, Mayor of
Bogota, N.J.
====================
For further information call 1-800-648-VETS or
visit www.njvvmf.org.