From
the desk of Col. Alan Bunting, Special Assistant to
the TAG
World War
I - known at the time as "The Great War"
- officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was
signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles
outside the town of Versailles
, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier
when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities,
between the Allied nations and Germany
went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November
11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of "the
war to end all wars."
In November
1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the
first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following
words: "To us in America, the reflections of
Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in
the heroism of those who died in the country's service
and with gratitude for the victory, both because of
the thing from which it has freed us and because of
the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy
with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
The original
concept for the celebration was for a day observed
with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension
of business beginning at 11 a.m.
President
Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day
to Veterans Day, an act which made the 11th of November
in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated
to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated
and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice
Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans
of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had
required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors,
Marines and airmen in the Nation's history; after
American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the
83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service
organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking
out the word "Armistice" and inserting in
its place the word "Veterans." With the
approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June
1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American
veterans of all wars.
Veterans
Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless
of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration
of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not
only preserves the historical significance of the
date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose
of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's
veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and
willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common
good.
108th ARW
hosting high school students
On the Nov.
15 the 108th Air Refueling Wing will be hosting students
from Willingboro High School for a base tour. The students will be tour a variety of offices
and squadrons at the wing and walk through a KC-135E
static display.
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.
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!
American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
From the
desk of Dorinda Sapp, Affirmative Action Officer
With the
theme, Celebrating
our Strengths, we acknowledge the various Tribal
cultures and the rich heritage, art, history, and
traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native
People. This year is particularly exciting with the
opening of the National
Museum
of the American Indian.
The opening of the museum offers an opportunity
for the public to learn more about the cultures and
traditions of the Native Americans from North, Central,
and South America.
What began
at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a
day of recognition for the significant contributions
the first Americans made to the establishment and
growth of the United
States has resulted
in the month of November being designated for that
purpose.
In continuing
to celebrate major accomplishments and contributions
to military service during American Indian & Alaska
Native Heritage Month, this week we are recognizing
Medal of Honor Recipients.
The Medal
of Honor is the highest award given to military heroes
for their actions that have helped form our nation's
rich history. They
are honored for their acts of heroism, for their "individual
gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the
call of duty."
The Medal
of Honor is symbolic of the heroic acts that it is
awarded for. Elements of the design represent victory,
strength, wisdom and valor.
Throughout history, American Indian and Alaska
Native-American service members have distinguished
themselves with their gallant actions during wartime.
World War I
Jack C. Montgomery: 1st Lt., U.S.
Army, 45th Infantry Division.
v
Place: Near, Padiglione, Italy,
Feb. 22, 1944
v
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Ernest E. Evans: Commander, U.S. Navy.
v
Place: Battle
off Samar, Oct. 25,
1944.
v
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of the USS Johnston in action
against major units of the enemy Japanese fleet.
Van T. Barfoot: 2nd Lt.,
U.S.
Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
v
Place: Near
Carano,
Italy, May 23, 1944.
v
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of life above and beyond the cal of duty.
Korean War
Charles George: Pfc.,
U.S.
Army, Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry
Division
v
Place: Near
Songnae-dong,
Korea,
Nov. 30, 1952
v
Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above
and beyond the call of duty in action against the
enemy.
Raymond Harvey: Capt.,
U.S.
Army, Company C, 17th Infantry Regiment.
v
Place: Vicinity
of Taemi-Fong,
Korea,
9March 1951
v
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and outstanding
courage above and beyond the call of duty in action
against the enemy.
Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.: Cpl.,
U.S.
Army, Company E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry
Division
v
Place: Near
Chonghyon,
Korea, 5 November 1950.
v
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty in action against
the enemy.
From
the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
This is
just a reminder that all ARNG Reserve Soldiers that
have not been called up for deployment are eligible
for the new Enhanced TRICARE Reserve Select program.
Current members now have until Dec. 31, 2007, to update
their enrollment forms to ensure coverage does not
drop. New members can enroll anytime throughout
the year. For more information, please contact any
of the following: Sgt. 1st Class Josephine
Grey at 609-562-0865, Christine Cox
609-562-0876, Spc. Rivera 609-562-0846 or Spc. Rodriguez
609-562-0880.
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.
From
the desk of Sgt. Maj. Nick Kampf, Safety and Occupational
Health, NJARNG
Each year
fire claims the lives of 4,000 Americans, injures
tens of thousands, and causes billions of dollars
worth of damage. People
living in rural areas are more than twice as likely
to die in a fire as those living in mid-sized cities
or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable
space heaters and kerosene heaters is especially common
in rural areas.
The United
State Fire Administration (USFA) believes rural fire
problems can be reduced by teaching people to recognize
the hazards. The following precautionary steps can
greatly reduce an individual's chances of becoming
a fire casualty.
Wood
stoves
Wood stoves
cause more than 9,000 residential fires every year.
Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and
maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction,
such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for
cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for
smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for
fuel, not green wood, artificial logs or trash. Inspect
and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check
monthly for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep
combustible object at least three feet away from your
wood stove.
Electric
space heaters
Buy only
heaters with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety
listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control
mechanism and will switch off automatically if the
heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables;
don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your
heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles
at least three feet away from each heater. Always
unplug your electric space heater when it is not in
use.
Kerosene
heaters
Buy only
UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire
department on the legality of kerosene heaters in
your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline
or camp stove fuel; both flare up easily.
Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never
overfill any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater
in a well-ventilated room.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces
regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They
need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should
be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent
deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure
the damper is open before starting any fire. Never
burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace.
These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are
difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to
stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire
opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Don't
wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make
sure the fire is completely out before leaving the
house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly
sealed metal container outside the home.
Finally,
having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases
your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to
practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
Veterans Day Activities
Cruise special
offered to military, families for Veterans Day
From
the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
To honor
those who serve us in the military and their families,
Carnival Cruise Lines is offering a Veteran's Day
promotion throughout the month of November. Active
and retired military personnel are able to book up
to three "Fun Ship" staterooms for themselves
and their friends and family members at special discounted
rates. Reservations must be made between Nov. 1 and
Nov. 30, 2007, to qualify for this promotion, which
is available in conjunction with a wide range of three
to 12-day departures through Dec 31, 2008. The promotion
is valid for individual bookings only, is capacity
controlled, and not applicable with any other discount
offer. Fare code CPM1 must be requested during the
reservations process and military personnel must provide
proof of service. Certain other restrictions apply.
For additional information and reservations, contact
any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit http://www.carnival.com/.
Park Service,
BLM waive fees for veterans, Nov. 11
The National Park Service, the U.S. Forest service and the Bureau
of Land Management will waive recreation-related fees
for veterans and military personnel, along with their
families, on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11.
The waiver of entrance and/or standard amenity fees on Veterans
Day applies annually, starting last year, to all agencies
of the departments of Interior and Agriculture. Those
include public recreation lands under the management
of the BLM, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest
Service.
The Veterans Day fee waiver takes place on Nov. 11, even if the
federal observance of the holiday occurs on a different
day. This year, the federal observance of Veterans
Day falls on Monday, Nov. 12.
Lowe's offering
discount to military, veterans
Lowe's will
offer all active, reserve and retired military personnel
and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount
on in-store purchases made during Veteran's Day weekend,
Nov. 8 through Nov. 12, 2007.
The discount
is available on in-stock purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid
military ID or other proof of service such as a VA
card, VFW card, veteran's ID or discharge papers.
This offer
applies to all Lowe's stores.
The discount
is 10 percent off stock merchandise and special-order
merchandise.
Not valid
with any other discounts. (Not valid on Maytag Neptune
laundry products, Maytag Ice2O refrigerators, Fisher
& Paykel appliances, Dyson vacuums, John Deere
products or Krups small appliances).
Paper Mill
Playhouse offering tickets to veterans
On Nov.
11, at 7:30 p.m., the Paper Mill Playhouse is offering
complimentary tickets (on a first come, first served
basis) for all Veterans for the performance of "Meet
Me in St.
Louis." For this
special event, contact Denise Biel, Box Office Manager,
at (973) 379-3636, Ext. 2243 for ticket availability.
The Paper
Mill Playhouse has announced a Veterans Discount.
Any member of the Armed Forces, present or past, can
receive a 20 percent discount on tickets to their
Main Stage Productions. Just show your military
or veterans ID card when purchasing or picking up
tickets at the Box Office.
Military
Appreciation Monday
For the past 6 years, Golden Corral has been honoring the U. S. military
with a free "thank you" dinner and beverage
at any Golden Corral restaurant on Military Appreciation
Monday (first Monday after Veteran's Day). This year,
Golden Corral has designated Monday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 9 p.m., to honor
any person who has ever served in the United States military.
From the first Military Appreciation Monday in 2001 to the present,
Golden Corral has donated 1.5 million free "thank
you" meals and $1.9 million dollars to the Disabled
American Veterans.
The Disabled American Veterans Organization will accept contributions
on Nov. 1-12 to be used in the local and state DAV
chapters.
Ceremony
at Doyle cemetery, Nov. 11
In concert
with the Veterans' Cemetery Advisory Council, the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will host
a Veteran's Day Ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., Nov.
11, at the Brig.
Gen. William
C. Doyle
Veterans Memorial
Cemetery,
35 Provinceline Road,
Wrightstown. The public is invited to attend.
Blue Star
markers set for re-dedication Nov. 11 and 12
The Blue Star Memorial Highway
program began in New
Jersey on Route 22 (then Route
29) in 1944 to honor the servicemen and women who
had served in the military during World War II.
This program started with the planting of 8,000
dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden
Clubs. The program has since grown to highways and
byways across the United
States and to honor
"all who have served, are serving or will serve in
the nation's armed forces."
Individual
garden clubs throughout the nation coordinate with
their state's Department of Transportation on the
projects. Signs
with the Blue Star and landscaping surrounding it
mark thousands of miles of highway in the continental
U.S.
Nov. 11, 2 p.m. - the marker in Bay
Head, on Lake Ave (take Bridge Ave. west from Route
35); ceremony sponsored by the Seaweeders Garden Club.
Two New Jersey clubs are
having re-dedication ceremonies of their sites during
the Veterans Day weekend.
Nov. 12, 11 a.m. - the marker on Route
22, west bound side near the Cushetunk rest area and
the Ryland Inn; ceremony sponsored by the Huntingdon
Garden Club.
Run supports
fallen Soldier's memorial
The 2nd
Annual Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial 3.5 mile
run and two mile walk will be held on Nov.
11 - rain or shine - at PNC
Bank Arts
Center,
located at exit 116 on the Garden
State Parkway. The run/walk
begins at 10 a.m.
Lt. Zilinski
grew up in Middletown,
N.J. and graduated from Christian Brothers
Academy,
Lincroft. He graduated from the United
States Military
Academy at
West Point and in
2004. He completed Airborne
School while a student at West
Point. He completed Ranger
School
and was then assigned to the 1/187th Infantry Regiment,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault). He deployed with the 101st Airborne
Division on Sept. 17, 2005. Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski
II died in Iraq on Nov.
19, 2005 as a result of a roadside bombing.
The LT Dennis
W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund was created in his honor.
The Fund has supported programs such as Underwater
Warriors Foundation, Inc; Operation Support Our Troops
- Wheels for Warriors; Fisher House and Warrior and
Family Support Center.
Same day
registration begins at 7:45 a.m.
There will be a ceremony and tribute to Lt.
Zilinski from 8:50-9:30 a.m. and late registration
after the ceremony until 9:45 a.m. A post-run reception will be hosted by Carabba's
of Middletown. Award will be given to the top three male
and female finishers.
Runners
can register early through the web site at http://www.runwithdennis.org/
index.html. Cost is $25 for adults who register before
Oct. 31 and $15 for runners age 18 and under.
T-shirts are only guaranteed to those who register
before Oct. 31. For
those who register after Oct. 31, the cost is $35
for adults and $20 for those 18 and younger.
Vehicle
access into PNC
Bank Arts
Center
will be closed starting at 9:45am for the duration
of the Race. This is a scenic course with challenging
hills going through the complex and ending at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There will be no
strollers or bicycles allowed on the 3.5 Mile Run
course.
Free entrée
for veterans at McCormick and Schmick
From
the desk of retired Chief Master Sgt. Paul
Gunning, Wing Family Program coordinator
McCormick
& Schmick's to honor veterans with free entree
a part of its ninth annual Military Veterans Appreciation
Event http://www.roa.org/site/
R?i=d9OCwxPsQ7V5y0Ccu4TpCQ. McCormick
& Schmick's seafood restaurant will offer all
retired U.S. military
veterans a free entrée on Nov.
11, in appreciation for their service to our country.
The offer extends to all who are defined as a veteran
by the Veterans Administration, Title 38 US Code 101,
which is a person who served in the active military,
naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released
under conditions other than dishonorable. All veterans
must show proper identification. Traditionally, the
McCormick & Schmick's Veterans Appreciation event
is held on the Sunday prior to the formal Veterans
Day holiday. Since Veterans Day falls on a Sunday
this year, the McCormick & Schmick's Appreciation
event will take place this year on the formal holiday
itself.
School will
hold veterans program, Dec. 12
On Dec.
12, 2007, 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 will
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.
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 is intensive
and 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, Nov. 3, 2007, 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.
Combat Lifesaver (CLS), 1st class will be held Oct. 29-31,
2nd class will be held Nov. 1 -3, 2007. 3rd class
will be held Nov. 13-15, 2007; 30 seats have been
filled for each class. Thank you for a great job!
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
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.
The school
has been working on character education and our students
have been researching our service people and the sacrifices
they have endured to ensure our nation's freedoms.
The students are also working with Operation
Shoebox, an organization that takes supplies, items
and letters from home and delivers them to our troops
overseas.
Students
and faculty are sure this will be a special evening
for our students, veterans and community.
Honorable Mention
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.
Don't talk
or text while driving in N.J.
On Nov.
2, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed a bill making it
a primary offense for motorists to talk on or text
message with hand-held wireless telephones or electronic
communication devices while driving. Motorists may
use a wireless telephone or electronic communication
device if it is hands-free.
The fine
for this offense is $100 and no motor vehicle points
or insurance eligibility points will be assessed for
this offense.
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.
CFC kicks
off start to 2007 campaign
The New
Jersey National Guard Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)