On Sunday, December 7th, 2003 at 11:30 a.m. the New Jersey National Guard will open the Family Assistance Center (FAC) at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville. The “Grand Opening” of the 3rd FAC in New Jersey will include Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, local elected officials, community representatives, senior members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, local veterans organizations, the Salvation Army, and Family Program and Family Support Program personnel from around the state.

Retired Master Sergeant (MSGT) Jane Hackbarth who will serve as the full-time FAC coordinator has a favorite slogan, “ Behind every great soldier is a great family.” She also emphasized the importance of Family Support programs.

“We need a local Family Assistance Center to serve Guard and reserve families in the central Jersey area who are now or soon will be affected by the mobilization or deployment of family members. With the recent activations of additional units and personnel, and the Pentagon’s announced intention to extend the duration of previous deployments, the strain of coping with the unexpected and sometimes lengthy absence of a spouse or other family member has increased for many families.”

The FAC will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and available 24 /7 in case of any emergencies.

The state’s first Family Assistance Center was established last year at the National Guard Armory in Cape May Courthouse to specifically serve the families of 253rd Transportation Company personnel who were deployed to Iraq. A second FAC was opened at the Teaneck National Guard Armory on September 28, 2003.

Following the examples of both the Cape May and Teaneck FAC’s, the Lawrenceville Center also will establish a food pantry and accept donations of professional services, home, automobile, and appliance repair services, household items, clothing, school supplies, toys, and other items. It will serve the entire spectrum of military families to include National Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty personnel.

With a limited operating budget, the FAC will depend heavily on volunteers and donations from the local community. Interested individuals, groups, or organizations should contact MSGT Hackbarth at 1-866-834-2631.

The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has a full-time Family Program Coordinator at Fort Dix; the Air National Guard has extensive support services at both the 108th Air Refueling Wing at Mc Guire Air Force Base and the 177th Fighter Wing headquartered at the Atlantic City International Airport.