On Saturday, December 13th 2003 Governor James E. Mc Greevey, the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey Army National Guard will host a special Christmas reception at Drumthwacket, his official residence, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for families of the Army National Guard’s 253d Transportation Company deployed in Iraq. More than 220 guests will join the Governor, Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, the state’s Adjutant General, and Santa Claus to help celebrate Christmas without the 160 citizen-soldiers who are currently stationed somewhere within the greater Baghdad area.

Several members of the unit home for R&R also are expected to share in the special holiday event. Family Support staff and representatives of the Salvation Army, American Legion Post 198 (Cape May Courthouse), and Ronnie Micciulla of "Operation Hands Overseas" will help coordinate the afternoon’s activities. Fred & Jean Evans of Wakefern Corporation will distribute gifts they collected to the children of deployed troops.

The 253rd, which is headquartered in Cape May Courthouse, is attached to the 101st Airborne Division and is the only New Jersey Army National Guard unit participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The South Jersey unit was mobilized for active duty service on February 7, 2003 and is one of the three Jersey Guard units mobilized twelve years ago for Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

Still Photographers Only may cover the event. In keeping with the families’ specific request, interviews or reporters will not be allowed.