Fall 2007 Edition NJDMAVA Veterans

About NJ Veteran Journal:
The New Jersey Veteran Journal is an official publication of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is intended to serve New Jersey's veterans, their families, friends and concerned individuals and groups. All correspondence should be sent to the editor at:

NJDMAVA, PAO-V, PO Box 340,
Trenton, NJ 08625-0340

From the Home Fronts

Ocean County Donation

Menlo residents dine with spouses

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison, NJDMAVA/PA Strolling among the tables was Clarita Ramos playing her harp, giving the diners music to accompany their time with their special someone. Photos of many of the couples at their wedding were pasted to the walls. David and Mary Dulack are both residents of the home sharing a room and life as they have for 55 years. David spent two years in the Navy and four years in the Army and is a Korean War vet. Sandra and Braxton Williams, who have been married for 39 years also had dinner together. Braxton is a resident and Sandra comes to the home every day to visit and found the dinner to be a nice time for togetherness. Joseph Brandspiegel, CEO of Menlo Park Home said the dinner could not happen without the great team work. “This is a tremendous success with all our departments participating,” he stated.


Ocean County Donation

Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

The Vineland Veterans Memorial Home commissary is open and ready for business. With the assistance of Pineland Learning Center (PLC) students, residents will be able to purchase items ranging from toiletries to clothing . This commissary will be run by the senior class Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 12 to 4 p.m. Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Representative Frank A. Lobiondo (R-2nd District), Joseph Romano, Chief Executive Officer, Vineland Veterans Memorial Home; along with Frederick Eccleston, Executive Director, PLC, all spoke FROM THE H about the opportunities – both for the residents – as well as the students who will be running the commissary. Running the store is part of an ongoing project for PLC students as part of the school’s transition program, which focuses on learning work skills through a structured learning experience. “This undertaking is a perfect fit for both the students and the veterans,” observed Eccleston.


Ocean County Donation

Fun is in the cards at Paramus

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3616, above, visited the Paramus home to play blackjack with the residents. The group “Call Us Clowns” stops by Paramus, right. The merry makers have been weekly guests for the past nine months. Recently, not pictured in the efforts to fulfill unmet needs, American Legion Post 21 donated clocks and American Legion Post 170 from Rochelle Park donated a wheelchair.


Ocean County Donation

Friday night's OK for KO

It was definitely a first for any of the Veterans homes.

On August 10, Vineland Veterans Memorial Home auditorium was turned into a scaled down version of Madison Square Garden.

American Legion Post 4 of Vineland sponsored the pugilistic competition in memory of former post commander Vernon N. Wolfe. Amateur boxers from the Vineland Police Athletic League (PAL) program sparred, punched and slugged their way to victory in 12 bouts.

The age of the fighters ranged from late teens to late 20’s and almost every weight division was featured in the exhibition. Included in the fights were two matches featuring women – another first at the Vineland home. Between matches, the fighters talked and posed for photos with the residents.

When asked if there would be another Friday Night Fights for the Vets, Joseph Romano, Chief Executive Officer for the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home smiled and said don't count it out.