NJ
Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs
BG Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General
COL Maria Falca-Dodson
Deputy Adjutant General
COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian
Deputy Commissioner for
Veterans Affairs
Contacting us is easy!
Office of the
Joint Chief of Staff
Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith
Mrs. Laura A. Branham
Phone:
(609) 530-6987
Fax:
(609) 530-7109
Email:
branham@njdmava.state.nj.us
We're
on the Web!
www.state.nj.us/military
"Nurture
your mind with great thoughts, for you will never
go any higher than you think."
.Benjamin Disraeli
Hispanic Food featured in DMVA Cafeteria
8 October 2003
Spanish Rice
Roast Pork
Fried Bananas
Beef Patties
The new $20 bill
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CPT
Michael Ciarrocca, Commander, 253rd Transportation
Company, NJ Army National Guard, serving in Iraq as
part of the United States led coalition forces, in
a letter dated 15 September 2003, stated that all of
his soldiers remain safe, accounted for, and continue
to set the standard in the conduct of their duties
for corresponding type activity duty component units. He
also said that the past several weeks have been difficult
in that the unit has seen an increase in the intensity
and variation of missions in support of ongoing stability
operations. The unit was also featured in a current
issue of the New York Post newspaper, concerning special
modifications made by unit personnel to their vehicles,
which have yet to be mastered by other units. CPT
Ciarrocca once again thanked everyone for all the cards
and packages of personal use items sent to his soldiers. We
wish him and all his soldiers continued success in
their mission, and a safe and speedy return home
The
Department of Veterans Affairs announces the awarding
of Homeless Veteran Programs grants.
Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi, announced
yesterday, 2 October 2003, the awarding of Life Cycle
Grants for programs that bring life safety codes at
VA homeless facilities into compliance by 2006. New
Jersey was one of 17 states selected for these awards. Our
Department's Veterans Haven will receive a $339,000
grant to bring the electrical system up to code.
Veterans
Education and Benefits Expansion Act - final phase
takes effect this week.
The
final phase of the Veterans Education and Benefits
Expansion Act will take effect this week. This legislation,
authored by Congressman Chris Smith, will increase
the amount of money distributed to veterans through
the monthly GI Bill to $985 a month, an increase of
more than $300 from the previous monthly allotment. The
total lifetime stipend for veterans who wish to attend
college under the GI Bill is now $35,460. "The original
GI Bill is widely and appropriately credited with helping
millions of returning World War II veterans live the
American Dream," Congressman Smith said. "It is my
hope that the GI Bill improved under my law will provide
the same assistance to a new generation of American
veterans."
Northern
Region Family Assistance Center opens.
The
new Northern Region Family Assistance Center held its
grand opening on Sunday, 28 September 2003. The Adjutant
General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, Family Assistance Center
Specialist, Mrs. Joanne Grieco, Family Readiness Group
personnel, and the State Family Program Coordinator,
CW4 Ralph Cwieka, all joined in cutting the yellow
ribbon that opened the Family Assistance Center (FAC). FACs
are sometimes considered "one stop shopping" for Guard
and military families, and are established in times
of contingency call-up, mobilization, and large-scale
deployments to provide support and assistance to military
members and their families. They are intended to simplify
the process of accessing needed services and support
for Guard families called to active duty for an extended
period of time. The primary mission of any FAC is
to inform and emotionally support families so the Guard
members can perform their mission. The Northern Region
Family Assistance Center is located in the Teaneck
Armory located on Teaneck and Liberty Roads in Teaneck,
New Jersey. Families may call the toll free number,
1-888-682-7865, or visit the FAC for assistance with
ID card information/DEERS, Tricare benefits, financial
and legal assistance. One full-time Family Assistance
Specialist and several volunteers staff the FAC. They
handle phone calls, mailings, as well as stock the
Food Pantry. The new FAC also has space for Family
Readiness Group meetings and briefings.
Iraq
War Victim Buried at BG William C. Doyle Cemetery.
On
Monday, September 29th, the remains of Army
Staff Sergeant Frederick L. Miller, Jr. were interred
at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Of
the almost 29,000 veterans buried at the Cemetery,
Sergeant Miller is the only casualty of the Iraq conflict
buried there. Sergeant Miller, from Jackson, New Jersey,
died on 20 September in Iraq while on security patrol.
Vietnam
Veterans honored at Bergen County ceremony.
BG
William Marshall presented Vietnam Service medals to
222 veterans at a ceremony hosted by the Bergen County
Public Safety Director, Frank DelVecchio. The ceremony
was held on 30 September 2003 at the Bergen County
Law & Public Safety Institute. DMVA employees,
Karen Hansen, Michelle Johnson, Roman Martyniuk and
Veterans Service Officer, Bob Maulano, assisted Master
of Ceremonies, CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly.
Distinguished,
Meritorious and Vietnam Service Medal Presentation
Ceremonies are scheduled.
7
October
11
a.m.
|
Distinguished
Service Medal
Meritorious
Service Medal
|
Ocean
City Music Pier
7th & Boardwalk,
Ocean City, NJ
|
22
October
11
a.m.
|
Vietnam
Service Medal
|
National
Guard Armory
1060
Hamilton Avenue, Somerset, NJ
|
29
October
11
a.m. & 1 p.m.
|
Distinguished
Service Medal
Meritorious
Service Medal
|
National
Guard Armory
National
Guard Training Center
Sea
Girt, NJ
|
NJ
Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education
Center Announces its Calendar of Events.
For
more information about any of these events, please
call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office
at (732) 335-0033.
17
Oct
|
9
a.m.
|
Capturing
the Imagination - The Art, Music, Theater,
Poetry, and Prose of the Vietnam Veteran
|
11
Nov
|
11
a.m.
|
Veterans
Day Ceremony
|
13
Dec
|
6
p.m.
|
Holiday
Lighting Ceremony
|
Vietnam
Veterans Monument added to the Memorial Walkway
at BG Doyle Cemetery.
On
Friday, 26 September 2003, the Vietnam Veterans of
America, New Jersey Council, dedicated a monument at
the BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery honoring the
more than 90,000 Vietnam Veterans in New Jersey, and
especially, the 1,560 New Jerseyans who died in the
war. Mr. Bill Jayne, Director of the State Cemetery
Grants Services at the Veterans Administration in Washington
and a Vietnam veteran himself, was the keynote speaker
at the dedication.
NJ
Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR) addresses West Point Society.
NJESGR
State Chairman, Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko,
Sr., addressed members of the West Point Society at
their monthly business meeting in Philadelphia this
week. General Dutko presented background information
on the ESGR Committee, its organizational structure,
and current events. A Question and Answer session
followed with the attendees, who included a number
of Military Academy alumni and business executives.
Stand
Down of South Jersey - A big success.
On
26 September 2003, 125 homeless veterans were assisted
by Mr. Harry Ruhle, Chairman of the Stand Down Committee,
members of the NJ Army and Air National Guard, veterans
and social service organizations, the Camden County
Sheriff's Office, volunteers from the U.S.S. New Jersey,
and Mr. John Kelly at the NJ Army National Guard's
Cherry Hill Armory. The Stand Down Committee provided
these homeless veterans, who are in combat every day,
an opportunity to stand down and enter a safe area
where someone else was responsible for their security. The
veterans were given the opportunity to obtain medical
attention, social services, food, clothing, and shelter.
The Veterans Administration, state, county, and local
agencies provided legislative and welfare services,
along with employment/unemployment assistance. The
receipt of a $5,000 grant helped to support this year's
successful Stand Down operation.
Today
is Friday, October 3rd, the 276th day
of 2003. There are 89 days left in the year.
◊ In
1922, Rebecca Felton became the first female to hold
office of U. S. Senator. She was appointed by Governor
Thomas W. Hardwick of Georgia to fill a vacancy.
◊ In
1945, Elvis Presley appeared in a talent show at the
age of 10. It was his first public appearance. He
won 2nd Place and $5.
◊ In
1955, the Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC-TV.
◊ In
1990, the Berlin Wall was dismantled, unifying East
and West Germany after 45 years of division.
◊ In
2001, Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) broke Babe
Ruth's major league single-season record for walks
at 171.
Armory
Happenings - Check to see what's happening at an
Armory near you.
3
- 8 October
|
Carpet & Furniture
Show & Sale
|
Morristown
Armory
|
3
October
|
Wrestling
|
Cherry
Hill Armory
|
12
October
|
Sports
Card, Comics & Beanies
|
Bordentown
Armory
|
19
October
|
Toy
Show
|
Freehold
Armory
|
24 - 26
October
|
Craft
Show and Sale
|
Morristown
Armory
|
24
- 26 October
|
Tool
Show
|
Woodbridge
Armory
|
25
October
|
Fundraiser - Breast
Cancer 5K Race
|
NGTC,
Sea Girt
|
31
Oct - 2 Nov
|
Antique
Show & Sale
|
Morristown
Armory
|
2
November
|
NASCAR
Collectibles
|
Bordentown
Armory
|
7 - 9
November
|
Craft
Show
|
Westfield
Armory
|
21
November
|
Boxing
Match Benefit
|
Westfield
Armory
|
21-23
November
|
"Home
for the Holidays" Gift Fair
|
Morristown
Armory
|
30
November
|
Toy
Show
|
Freehold
Armory
|
12-14
December
|
Craft
Show and Sale
|
Morristown
Armory
|
26-28
December
|
Wrestling
Tournament
|
Teaneck
Armory
|
The
new color of money and interesting facts.
A
safer, smarter, and more secure $20 note will begin
circulating next week, 9 October. The new bills will
feature background colors and improved safety features. The
new design for the $20 will be followed by new designs
for the $50 and $100 over the next few years.
F The
first $20 bill was introduced in 1861.
F New
ink appears either copper or green, depending upon
the angle at which the bill is viewed.
F The
first time a color other than black or green appeared
in the bill was in 1905, when gold ink was briefly
used in the printing.
F The
average $20 bill lasts three years
F An
ATM can hold up to 7,500 bills, or $150,000 in twenties.
F The
$20 bill is the most counterfeited in the U.S., while
the $100 is most counterfeited abroad.
Crime
in New Jersey - 2002.
Due
to budgetary constraints, the Crime in New Jersey - 2002 report
will not be printed in book form this year. However,
the Crime in New Jersey - 2002 report will be
available on the NJ State Police website, www.NJSP.ORG
Aoccdrnig
to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't
mttaer in what order the ltteers in a word are, the
only iprmoetnt thing is that the frist and lsat ltteer
be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses
and you can still raed it wouthit porbelm. This is
bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by
istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh?
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