James E. McGreevey
Governor

Virginia S. Bauer
Commerce Secretary Designate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Caffrey -609.984.2888
Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523

Veteran’s Day in New Jersey

Trenton (October 25, 2004)—Salute a Veteran this Veteran’s Day by visiting one of New Jersey’s unique and interesting commemorative sites.

“New Jersey is the proud home to many of this nation’s Veterans,” said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the NJ Office of Travel & Tourism. “I encourage residents and visitors to explore some of the sites located right here in the Garden State that are very poignant reminders of their sacrifice.”

The U.S.S. New Jersey:
The most visible of these sites in the U.S.S. New Jersey (856-966-1652 or www.bb62museum.org). One of the nation’s most decorated battleships, the New Jersey arrived back in the Garden State on Veteran’s Day 1999. It is now permanently berthed as a floating museum on the Delaware River along Camden Waterfront across from Center City Philadelphia.

Interestingly enough, the battleship’s keel was laid at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1940. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Charles Edison, wife of the Governor of New Jersey and daughter-in-law of the famous inventor Thomas Edison. Commissioned on May 23, 1943, the U.S.S. New Jersey participated in a long list of critical naval operations including: World War II, (the Marshalls, Marianas, Carolines, Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.); served as flagship for Commander Third Fleet, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944; provided gunfire support during the Korean War where she had two tours of duty; Vietnam ; El Salvador in Central America, and Beirut, Lebanon.

Visitors can experience history come to life during a two-hour guided tour through the Iowa-class ship, one of the largest battleships ever built.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Vietnam Educational Center:
Another moving site is The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Vietnam Educational Center (732-335-0033 www.njwmf.org), located in Holmdel. This powerful and fitting tribute to those who made the sacrifice in serving the nation and the state during the Vietnam War is a special honor to the 1,557 New Jerseyans who did not make it home from Southeast Asia. The memorial is open 24-hours, 7 days a week.

The Vietnam Era Educational Center is the first educational center and museum of its kind in the United States or the world. While the Memorial commemorates the courage shown by those who served, the 10,000 square foot Educational Center provides a means to present factual and unbiased information about the era through exhibits, audio/visual presentations, structured programs and guest speakers. The 10,000-square-foot facility consists of three major components: an exhibit area, a multi-purpose room and a resource center.

Guided tours of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center are approximately 1 ½ hours long and are led by Vietnam Veteran volunteers who share their personal experiences. Guided tours must be arranged prior to a visit.

Also on site is a Women Veteran’s Meditation Garden, which was dedicated on Veteran’s Day 2001. Adjacent to the Vietnam Education Center the Women’s Meditation Garden is a lasting tribute to the thousands of women, both military and civilian, who served in Vietnam. Designed by the Monmouth County Master Gardeners Association, the garden encompasses a fountain, a covered pergola with benches and a variety of plants chosen to provide color and texture year-round.

New Jersey Naval Museum:
Locate in Hackensack, the New Jersey Naval Museum (201-342-3268 or www.njnm.org) provides an introduction to New Jersey's Navy heritage and naval history in general. The museum is also home to the USS Ling 297, a 312-foot long Balao Class World War II submarine that is open to the public for guided tours.

The tour will also explore the Ling from bow to stern, surveying the Ling's equipment, quarters and weaponry, which included twenty-four torpedoes and two 5" deck guns for handling military targets too small to warrant the expenditure of a torpedo. Visitors to the Ling will experience the Spartan quarters ninety-five officers and crew lived in.

Naval Air Station Wildwood:
At Hangar 1 of the Cape May Airport 500 in Rio Grande (609-886-8787 or www.usnasw.org), is the Naval Air Station Wildwood, which features numerous exhibits including a large collection of aviation artifacts, military memorabilia, aircraft engines and more housed in the 92, 000 square foot all-wooden hanger. On hand is an HH-52A Seaguard Helicopter, an AH-1 Cobra Helicopter, a Lockheed T-33 Thunderbird as well as a L19 Birddog, among others. The museum's newest exhibit is "Vietnam Remembered.”

The New Jersey Korean War Memorial:
Dedicated in July 2000, the New Jersey Korean War Memorial (www.njcrda.com/koreanwar.html) is located at Brighton Park in Atlantic City. The site consists of a 12-foot-high statue of "The Mourning Soldier" clutching dogtags and remembering his lost comrades. A group of soldiers "under fire" emerge through a sheet of water just to his left. The back wall of the Memorial, beneath an eternal flame, is engraved with the names of the 822 New Jerseyans who were killed in action or are missing in action.

For information on other activities and attractions, contact the New Jersey Office of
Travel & Tourism, at 609-292-2470; or check the website at www.visitnj.org.