Dear Veteran:

I bid you greetings from the entire Veterans Affairs Team at DMAVA. This is the second DCVA update this year. The feedback that I have received, about this form of keeping you informed, has been positive. As always, I look forward to your feedback.

As will be the case in each of these quarterly updates, I have attached updates from each of my Divisions and as you can see from their information papers, we have been busy so far this year. The next quarter will be even busier with Memorial Day events at the Doyle Cemetery and around the state as well as the Veteran Service Organization conventions that will take place throughout the month of June.

We have another new face on the Veterans Affairs Team. Gary Englert replaced me as the Director of the Division of Veterans Services. He has hit the ground running and we are pleased to have him on the Team. A short bio leads off his update.

As Gary states in his paper, the Department now has authority to raise funds for the NJ World War II memorial. I’ve included a fund raising flier, which I ask that you distribute as widely as possible. We must raise $2 million dollars by August 1, 2005 or we will not be able to complete the construction in time to dedicate the memorial for Memorial Day 2006.

I want to thank the Veterans who came out to support the Department at the Assembly Budget Hearing. It was reassuring to The Adjutant General and myself to have you there and it was good for the Budget Committee to see the strong partnership the Department has with our Veterans Community. In that regard, the Governor’s budget was very good to the Department in that it fully funds all of our programs. We are both hopeful and confident the legislature will pass our portion of the budget.

I am very pleased to announce the creation of a new, mental health helpline for veterans. The new toll free number will provide immediate assistance to veterans suffering from psychological or emotional distress as well as those having difficulty re-assimilating back into civilian life. The toll free helpline will feature peer counseling, clinical assessment, assistance to family members, and will provide New Jersey veterans and their families with access to a comprehensive Mental Health Provider Network of mental health professionals specializing in PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other veterans issues. All services are free and confidential. I have included posters for you to post and distribute to your posts and chapters.

Finally, the State's observance of Memorial Day will take place on Saturday, May 28, at 11AM at the Doyle Cemetery. I look forward to seeing you there.

Attachments:
- WWII Memorial Donation Form (PDF)
- WWII Memorial Design
- Veterans of New Jersey Hotline