On Monday morning, 5 April 2004, the Old Glory Wing at the Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park opened its doors to residents for the first time.  The Old Glory Wing is a secure unit that will serve our special needs, Alzheimer, and dementia related residents.  The Department is extremely proud and honored to be able to provide these additional services to the Veterans of our state who so bravely served our Country.   A formal dedication ceremony will be held on 30 April 2004.

BG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, cordially invites you to attend a Pinning Ceremony in honor of Brigadier General Maria Falca-Dodson, DAG.  The ceremony will take place on Saturday, 17 April 2004 at 1 p.m. at the NJ National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Drill Floor, 3650 Saylors Pond Road, Fort Dix, New Jersey.  Dress is as follows:  Military - Uniform of the Day and Civilians - Smart Casual.

New Jersey's Departments of Banking and Insurance, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Treasury have authorized banks in New Jersey to offer a new low interest loan program - "Freedom Loans" - that will provide financial assistance to New Jersey's military reserve and guard personnel who have been called up for long-term military service.  Under the terms of the program, all eligible military personnel (those called up for active duty for one year or longer) and their families, may receive unsecured loans of up to $10,000, a maximum 6 percent interest, payable over five years, and a complete deferral of interest and principal during the first year.  In order to be eligible, servicemembers must have received orders for activation for a period of one year or longer.  The program is voluntary and open to all banks.  To date, the following banks have already agreed to participate:

Commerce Bank	1-888-751-9000
Fleet	1-800-841-4000
PNC	1-866-PNC-4USA
Sovereign Bank	1-877-391-6365

Call them or stop at one of their local branches to complete an application for the loan.

The New Jersey National Guard J-3 and J-4 attended a 42^nd Infantry Division Operation Iraqi Freedom III pre-deployment meeting held in Troy, New York on 1 April 2004.  42^nd DISCOM units, 42^nd Division Staff, 1^st Army Staff, Training Support Brigades (Fort Drum), and both Fort Drum and Fort Dix mobilization personnel were also in attendance.  Mobilization dates for the following units were discussed:  42^nd DISCOM (Somerset), 50^th Main Support Battalion (Teaneck), 250^th Signal Battalion (Westfield), 42^nd MP Company (Lawrenceville), and the 150^th GSAB (West Trenton).  Pre-mobilization and post-mobilization training plans; phased mobilization of units in order to properly train soldiers for missions; staggered mobilization of units for the benefit of the MOB station and to properly utilize funding; manning requirements; and logistical requirements were other topics discussed.  All major staff sections conducted breakout sessions.

On Saturday, 1 May 2004, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs honors over 700 New Jersey Army National Guardsmen preparing to deploy for 12 months to Guantanamo, Cuba.  Members of New Jersey's 50^th Brigade of the 42 Infantry Division, commanded by LTC (P) Frank Caruso, will be feted by their families, the Governor, senior military leaders, and elected officials at the Sovereign Bank Arena at 1300 hours.  Watch Highlights for further details about this historic event.

On Wednesday, 7 April 2004, BG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, addressed the Senate Budget Committee at the State House Annex in Trenton.  Accompanied by senior staff, The Adjutant General outlined DMVA's state fiscal needs for the coming year.  Of New Jersey's sixteen Executive Branch departments, the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs is one of three proposed by the Governor to have a budget increase.  BG Rieth presented formal testimony and responded to individual Senator's specific questions.  As on 1 April at the Assembly Budget Hearing, it is noteworthy that a large number of veterans groups' members were in attendance to support the Department's proposed budget. 

Dr. Clifford J. Sporn, President of the NJ Veterinary Medical Association recently became aware of the fact that some members of our armed forces serving in Iraq are adopting local stray dogs and taking the extraordinary step of shipping their new companions back home to the United States.  The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association would like to assist those members of the NJ National Guard who make the decision to bring their new companions home with them.  The Association's members will offer a free medical examination as well as advice on nutrition and behavioral training for any companion animal being shipped home by a member of the New Jersey National Guard who is serving in the Iraq theater.  The point of contact for this program is Paul Wolcott who will be able to put you in touch with a cooperating veterinarian.  Mr. Wolcott can be reached at 973-379-1100 or paulw@njvma.org.  The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association is proud of the men and women of the New Jersey National Guard and extends their wishes for a swift and safe return home.

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

17 April	1 p.m.	Chapter One:  The Story of Vic Charles (a novel) - An Author Lecture Series presentation by Vietnam Veteran Bob Staranowicz at the Vietnam Era Educational Center.
7 May	11 a.m.	New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial

The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State's veterans.

 

16 Apr	Distinguished Service & Meritorious Service Medals (for Residents of the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland)	Veterans Memorial Home Vineland, New Jersey
29 Apr 11 a.m.	Distinguished Service & Meritorious Service Medals	Toms River Elks 600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ

Vail Resorts in Colorado is offering 1,000 free nights to service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of "Operation Freedom Lodging."  Members from any branch of service, who served for 30 or more days in these countries, are eligible for up to three consecutive nights of lodging at Vail Resorts owned and operated hotels in Breckenridge and Keystone.  Operation Freedom Lodging is a gesture of our appreciation for the courageous men and women who have been serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Qualified service members wishing to make reservations for Operation Freedom Lodging can call:  Breckenridge at 1-800-832-3694, and Keystone at 1-800-270-4690.

10 Apr	Flea Market	Teaneck Armory
17 Apr	Closed Circuit Relay Race	NGTC, Sea Girt
18 Apr	Sports Card and Comic Show	Bordentown Armory
18 Apr	Karate Tournament	Jersey City Armory
19 Apr	Circus	Newark Armory
20 Apr	Circus	Morristown Armory
23 Apr - 25 Apr	Bird Exposition	West Orange Armory
25 Apr	NASCAR Collectables	Bordentown Armory
30 Apr	Dog Show	Riverdale Armory
30 Apr - 1 May	Auction	Cherry Hill Armory

 

As part of the HQ's modernization improvement program, the first floor renovations began this week.  Members of the Fiscal/Information & Administrative Services Division moved out and temporarily relocated to the vacant DLOG's building in Lawrenceville.  Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are unchanged.  Project completion is expected in August, at which time the Installations Division and CFMO section move to DLOGs for the renovation of their first floor area.  They are expected to return in October 2004.

April 24, 2004 (Rain Date-April 25, 2004) Join your friends and neighbors in beautification projects at New Jersey's State Parks.  Projects include painting, gardening, trail clearing, footbridge construction and/or general maintenance.  A perfect opportunity for service hours for organizations and scouting groups.  Pre-registration is required.  Visit website www.njparksandforests.org for additional information.

Today is Thursday, 8 April 2004 and the 99^th day of the year. There are 268 days left in the year.   On this day.

*         1766 - 1^st fire escape patented - wicker basket on a pulley & chain.

*         1789 - The U. S. House of Representatives held its first meeting.

*         1865 - General Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

*         1913 - The Seventeenth amendment was ratified, requiring direct election of senators.

*         1946 - The League of Nations assembles for the last time.

*         1974 - Hank Aaron hits 715^th home run, breaks Babe Ruth's record.

*         1975 - Frank Robinson of the Cleveland Indians debuts as the first black manager of a major league baseball team.

­       Nolan Ryan owns or shares 53 Major League records.  He is the only pitcher to have seven no-hitters.  In addition, he is the only player to have over 5000 strikeouts.

­       In 1984, Steve Garvey of the San Diego Padres became the 1st first baseman to finish the season with a perfect fielding average of 1.000.

­       Roberto Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for his entire 18-year career.  The last hit of his career was his 3,000^th.  He was killed on December 31, 1972, while flying earthquake relief supplies to Nicaraqua.

­       On May 25^th, 1935, the first Major League night game was played at Cincinnati's Crosley Field.

­       The youngest Major Leaguer to appear in a regular season game is Joe Nuxhall.  He pitched for the Cincinnati Reds on June 10^th, 1944.  Nuxhall was 15 years old at the time.

­       On May 1, 1902, the Detroit Tigers set a record for fielding futility when they were charged with an incredible 12 errors in one nine inning contest.

­       In 1956, Mickey Mantle became the first switch hitter in the Major Leagues since 1889 to win the batting title.