New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

On Tuesday, 9 March 2004, the Department of Defense announced its plans to place one of only 12 new Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams in New Jersey. The highly specialized team of 22 National Guardsmen and women, all paid in full by the federal government, will be trained to detect and respond to chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and will safeguard New Jersey’s residents and critical infrastructure.

The team, armed with state-of-the-art equipment, will be among the first to arrive on the scene of an attack, where it will help determine its nature, provide medical and technical advice, and help prepare for larger-scale state and federal response. The CST’s equipment will include a mobile lab to assess chemical and biological agents, and a full communications suite to enable New Jersey’s first responders, health experts, and scientists to analyze the threat and take swift and appropriate action.

Thanks to the efforts of New Jersey’s legislative delegation, more than $100 million in homeland security dollars have been earmarked for New Jersey or joint-state security initiatives that include New Jersey.

31 March 2004, 11 a.m. – There will be a medal presentation ceremony held at the Morristown Armory, 430 Jockey Hollow Road, Morristown, NJ.

16 April 2004 – COL (Ret) Emil Philibosian, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, will visit the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland to present medals to the Home’s residents.

Did you know that now you can reach any Family Assistance office in the NJ National Guard’s Family Program by dialing the following toll free number – 888-859-0352.

Place Morale Calls (with a calling card/credit card)

Contact any of the eight NJ ARNG Family Assistance Centers

Contact either of the NJ ANG Family Readiness Centers

Speak with the State Family Program Coordinator

Get information on the NJNG Teen Youth Group

Contact NJ Army National Guard Education, Recruiting, and Retention Offices

6th Annual Unity Day will be held on Friday, 18 June 2004, at the Joint Force Headquarters Building in Fort Dix. Last year’s Unity Day was a huge success, and the Committee is looking to make this year’s Unity Day equally as good. The Committee’s first two meetings have been held and we are off to a good start. Highlights of the day will once again include the Fun Walk/Run, the Chili Contest, and the many cultural displays representing our Diversity in the New Jersey National Guard. The Unity Day Committee is currently looking for ideas for this year’s theme and a design for our t-shirts.

If you have any ideas, please contact MSgt McCready, NLT Friday, 26 March 2004 at 609-562-0854.
(email: Kathleen.McCready@nj.ngb.army.mil)

The next meeting of the Unity Day Committee will be held on Wednesday, 2 April 2004, at 0930 in Conference Room A at the Joint Force Headquarters Building, Fort Dix.

Mobilization Exercise is scheduled for 26-28 March 2004 at the National Guard Training Center.

A mobilization Exercise is scheduled for 26-28 March 2004 at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, New Jersey. Units being exercised are HHC 42nd Division Support Command (DISCOM), 250th Signal Battalion, and Guantanamo Bay make-ups. These units are scheduled to be deployed with the 42nd Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 42nd Infantry Division Mobilization Conference was conducted 29 February – 03 March in Troy, New York. This conference was attended by units from the 50th Brigade, 42nd DISCOM, and all their subordinate units.

Among the items discussed were the impending mobilization of the 50th Brigade units to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the 42nd Division Deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the 42nd DISCOM, 250th Signal Battalion, 42nd Military Police, 150th General Support Aviation Battalion, and 642nd Division Aviation Support Battalion. These units have all been alerted and are preparing their soldiers for deployment.

MAJ Walter Nall, DMVA’s Affirmative Action Officer, announced additional dates for “Preventing Sexual Harassment” training.

DATE	LOCATION	TIME	ATTENDEES
24 Mar	Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park	9 am – 12 pm	Armorers and VSOs from the Menlo Park area.
26 Mar	Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland	9 am – 12 pm	Armorers and VSOs from the Vineland area.
31 Mar	Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus	9 am – 12 pm	Armorers and VSOs from the Paramus area.
16 Apr	Homeland Security/Center of Excellence Conference Room	9 am – 12 pm	Armorers and VSOs from the Mercer County area and Central Office employees who missed previously scheduled classes.

The New Jersey Army National Guard supported Read Across America by sending eight soldiers to the Sharon Road Elementary School in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The soldiers who participated in this event were LTC Nick Chimienti, LTC Dennis Devery, LTC Roberta Niedt, MAJ Jemal Beale, CPT Tim Coakley, SFC Pat Daugherty, SSG Tracy Falls, and SPC Lisa Radev. Each soldier read a Dr. Seuss book to a first grade class at the school. Thanks to all of the participants who supported this important national program.

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.

27 Mar	1 p.m.	“The Hidden History of the Antiwar Movement,” an Author Lecture Series presentation by Vietnam-era Veteran H. Bruce Franklin, author of Vietnam and other American Fantasies.
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

Chief Master Sergeant Paul M. Gunning, State Command Chief Master Sergeant, recently announced New Jersey’s nominations for the USAF 12 Outstanding Airmen and Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year Award Programs. Based on selection criteria such as leadership-p and job performance in primary duties, significant self-improvement, and base and community involvement, the following individuals were selected after a stringent board process: 177th Fighter Wing, SrA Erin B. Leach – Airman category, 108th Air Refueling Wing, SSgt Nehemie L. Juleus – NCO category, 108th Air Refueling Wing, MSgt Daniel R. Knapp – SNCO category, and 108th Refueling Wing, SMSgt Harmon R. Glymph – First Sergeant category. Congratulations to these truly deserving Airmen!

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

19-21 Mar	Motorcycle Showcase	Atlantic City Armory
19-21 Mar	Craft Show	Morristown Armory
25-28 Mar	Antique Show	Morristown Armory
26-28 Mar	Quilt Show	Toms River Armory
28 Mar	Doll & Bear Show	Bordentown Armory
28 Mar	Circus	Cherry Hill Armory
31 Mar – 5 Apr	Piano Show and Sale	Cherry Hill Armory

Today is Friday, 12 March 2004 and the 72nd day of the year. There are 295 days left in the year. On this day…

1664 – New Jersey became a British colony. King Charles II granted land in the New World to his brother James (The Duke of York).

1755 – In North Arlington, New Jersey, the steam engine was used for the first time.

1894 – Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time.

1904 – After 30 years of drilling, the tunnel under the Hudson River was completed. The link was between Jersey City, NJ, and New York, NY.

1912 – The Girl Scout organization was founded. The original name was Girl Guides.

1944 – Britain barred all travel to Ireland.

1993 – The Pentagon called for the closure of 31 major military bases.

1994 – The Church of England ordained its first women priests.

2002 – U. S. Homeland Security Chief, Tom Ridge, unveiled a color-coded system for terror warnings.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we ask the question, Who will remember. . .

that thousands of the grandmothers of today were the Soldiers, Sailors, SPARS, and Marines of World War II.

that the hands guiding young children through fast food lines and pushing the swings in the parks are the hands that soothed the wounded servicemen of yesterday!

that the nurses sailed on unescorted hospital ships as lighted white targets for enemy forces!

the young women, Army and Navy Nurses, who were captured when Bataan and Corregidor fell?

the WACS, WAVES, SPARS, and women Marines who worked in ammunition dumps, motor pools, and air traffic towers, link trainers, or worked at aerial guns and Allied Troop Training Centers?

the Woman Air Force Service Pilots, who taught the men to fly, and were test pilots towing aerial targets behind the planes?