On Sept. 16, Col. (retired) Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs hosted a “Commander’s Call” in the theater at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt. The bi-annual meetings are designed to bring together the senior leadership of the state’s major veterans’ organizations on issues of mutual concern. The late summer gathering preceded the Annual Governor’s Military Review, which was then held on the Parade Field at the Training Center.

Following a continental breakfast, the assembly was treated to a presentation by Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, who spoke on his recent trips to visit New Jersey National Guardsmen serving abroad. Maj. Gen. Rieth’s slide presentations focused on New Jersey's Citizen Soldiers and Airmen deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the New Jersey National Guard’s relationship with Albania, as it prepares to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Following the presentation, Maj. Gen. Rieth presented a Purple Heart to Pat Casanova, for injuries sustained during his combat service during World War II.

The morning’s briefings concluded with George Lisicki, the recently in-stalled National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following Lisicki’s remarks, the attendees enjoyed the pomp and ceremony of the Military Review.