New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

COL (Ret) Stephen Abel was the most recent guest on the 30-minute cable TV show “Veterans Viewpoint” produced by Paul Tuliano and Bill McPeak. The first half of the show was spent discussing the Division’s broad range of responsibilities, while the remainder of the show focused on the Doyle Cemetery operations, eligibility requirements, and the Expansion and Improvement Project currently under way. The show will air on Channel 19 in the Pemberton, Browns Mills, McGuire, and Fort Dix areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. The show will run for approximately four weeks starting on January 31, 2004. Other Burlington County Comcast customers can view the show on Channel 8.

Welcome back home! Approximately 30 members of the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Refueling Wing returned home this week after serving a tour of duty in Turkey. The airmen provided aerial refueling and strategic airlift operations in support of combat missions over Iraq.

The National Guard Bureau, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, initiated a rotational Military Police Transition Training Program (retraining selected soldiers to perform military police related tasks) at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The New Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG) in conjunction with the 78th Training Division, US AR, provided direct coordination and assistance in establishing a 140 vehicle training set of equipment at Fort Dix. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), consisting of M1025, M1026, and M966 type vehicles were transported from New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to OMS No. 9, Fort Dix, New Jersey. Under the direct supervision of the Full Time Support Supervisor, SFC Floyd D. Newton, OMS No. 9 selected maintenance personnel from the NJARNG and 78th Training Division, USAR, are working as a team to ensure that all vehicles are Fully Mission Capable, equipped with critical weapon components, SINGARS installation kits, and radios prior to their daily issue to training soldiers.

Landscaper recognized for his contribution to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

On 5 February 2004, Mr. Drew Madzin of Guardian Lawn & Turf, Inc. was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by COL (Ret) Stephen Abel on behalf of BG Glenn K. Rieth for the company’s yearly contribution of providing lawn care to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial complex. As a result of the dedication and hard work of Guardian Lawn & Turf, Inc., the appearance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial/Education Center is outstanding.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center’s upcoming event schedule.

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

28 Feb - (1 pm): Author Lecture by Gerald R. Gioglio, who will discuss his book, Days of Decision: An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors I the Military During the Vietnam War.

Special thanks and recognition to the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Monmouth Chapter.

Special thanks and recognition to the AAAA Monmouth Chapter for providing $3,000 for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s dinners for New Jersey’s National Guard Troops serving as guards at Fort Monmouth. The Chapter continued its unwavering support for our soldiers at home and deployed with a plethora of energetic programs that demonstrated their sincere appreciation of the great work of the NJ National Guard.

Did you know that AAAA actively campaigned and helped facilitate a local Monmouth Chapter Award for NJARNG Soldier of the Year? The NG Soldier of the Year award is now approved, the criteria are set, and Senior NCO board members will be selected. The award will recognize Army aviation solders grade E-1 through E-5 who will be presented with a plaque and be given a set of Army Dress Blues.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award was instituted in 1996, under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), to publicly recognize American employers who provide exceptional support to their employees who voluntarily serve the nation in the National Guard and Reserve. The award is the highest in a series of ESGR awards that include the Patriot Award, the Above and Beyond Award, and the Pro Patria Award. In today’s environment of continuous mobilization of National Guardsmen and Reservists, America’s employers are becoming inextricably linked to the nation’s defense. ESGR has recognized that more employers are being impacted by the war on terrorism and the on-going military operations in Iraq. For that reason, nominations for the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award are being accepted from all public and private employers. Anyone having knowledge of a company or organization that is deserving of this prestigious award can obtain a nomination form and additional information at www.esgr.com. Nominations must be submitted from 1 February to 15 March 2004.

Armory Happenings – Check to see what’s happening at an Armory near you.

7-9 Feb	2004 Winter Games “Special Olympics”	Morristown Armory
12-15 Feb	Tool Show	Woodbridge Armory
13-15 Feb	Antique Sale	Lawrenceville Armory
19-22 Feb	Tool Show & Sale	Lawrenceville Armory
20-21 Feb	Auction	Cherry Hill Armory
22 Feb	Sports Card & Comics Show	Bordentown Armory
27-28 Feb	High School Wrestling Tournament	Teaneck Armory
29 Feb	NASCAR Collectibles Show	Bordentown Armory

Today is Friday, 6 February 2004 and the 37th day of the year. There are 320 days left in the year. On this day…

• 1815 –The State of New Jersey issued the first American railroad charter to John Stevens.

• 1932 – Dog sled racing appeared for the first time in Olympic competition.

• 1959 – The U.S., for the first time, successfully test-fired a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile from Cape Canaveral.

• 1987 – President Ronald Reagan turned 76 years old this day and became the oldest U. S. President in history.