1. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS OBTAINED AWARDS TOTALING MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS EACH DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

2. THE DEPARTMENT HOSTS A FAREWELL FAMILY SUPPORT LUNCHEON.

3. FISCAL DIVISION HAS UPDATED THE DEPARTMENT'S "STATE TRAVEL GUIDE."

4. CONTRACT AWARDED FOR THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AT FREEHOLD ARMORY ON 10 FEBRUARY 2003.

5. CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS RACHEL SAINDON, WHO WON FIRST PLACE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD DIVISION OF THE YMCA'S NATION-WIDE ARMED SERVICES ANNUAL ART CONTEST.

6. NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL AND VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

7. 57TH TROOP COMMAND UNITS PROVIDE OVERSEAS MISSION SUPPORT TO ACTIVE DUTY UNITS.

8. CHALLENGE CADET DONATES HAIR.

9. NJ NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CAMP REMINDER.

10. NEW JERSEY VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS APPROACHING.

11. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

12. ARMORY HAPPENINGS - CHECK TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU.

13. ST. PATRICK'S DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED NEXT MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2003. FIND OUT HOW TO CATCH A LEPRECHAUN AND OTHER INFO TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE THE DAY.

1. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS OBTAINED AWARDS TOTALING MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS EACH DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY. During the month of January, five Veterans Service Officers were successful in obtaining awards totaling more than half a million dollars each for the veterans who submitted claims through each of their offices. They were Moise Abraham (Essex/Union), Dave Martin (Mercer), Don McNamara (Monmouth), Joe Salzano (Ocean), and Monica Banca (Warren/Hunterdon). These five were responsible, in one month, for bringing a total of more than $3,241,000 back to New Jersey to assist our veterans. Great job!

2. THE DEPARTMENT HOSTS A FAREWELL FAMILY SUPPORT LUNCHEON for members of the 253rd Transportation Company and their families. This affair was held on the drill floor of the New Jersey National Guard Headquarters Building at Fort Dix on Monday, 11 March 2003, and was attended by over 400 people. It provided the family members with a final opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones and gave us an opportunity to wish them well prior to their deployment. Thanks to Mrs. Linda Rieth, SFC Minnie Miller, and SFC Joyce Locklear for organizing this event.

3. FISCAL DIVISION HAS UPDATED THE DEPARTMENT'S "STATE TRAVEL GUIDE." This guide is to be used as a supplement to departmental travel procedures, State of New Jersey Travel Regulations, and applicable Department of Treasury Circular Letters. Employees on official state business are expected to exercise the same care incurring expenses as if traveling on personal business at their own expense. Excessive and unnecessary travel and expenses will not be approved or reimbursed. The updated Guide is available on the DMVA website at http://www.nj.gov/military/fiscal/travelprcedures.html.

4. CONTRACT AWARDED FOR THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AT FREEHOLD ARMORY ON 10 FEBRUARY 2003. The installation of the fire suppression (sprinkler) system at Freehold is part of our Department's long-range commitment to install fire sprinklers in all of our armories. There were seven bidders, and the apparent low bidder was Gosline-Nissen at a cost of $128,400. Funding for this project is a cooperative effort between the State of New Jersey and the federal government.

5. CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS RACHEL SAINDON, WHO WON FIRST PLACE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD DIVISION OF THE YMCA'S NATION-WIDE ARMED SERVICES ANNUAL ART CONTEST. Rachel, who is in the 4th Grade, is the daughter of SGT Paul and Eiko Saindon. SGT Saindon is the Supply Sergeant for HHC 2/113th INF in Riverdale. First-place winners receive a $500 US Savings Bond and their artwork will be used on the poster for November's Military Family Month. Rachel's winning drawing and those of the other winners can be seen on the Armed Services YMCA website http://www.asymca.org/art_contest.htm. Congratulations, Rachel!

6. NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL AND VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

For more information about these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation at (732) 335-0033 or visit them on the web at http://www.njvvmf.org.

7. 57TH TROOP COMMAND UNITS PROVIDE OVERSEAS MISSION SUPPORT TO ACTIVE DUTY UNITS. Members of the 350th Finance Detachment deployed to Vicenza, Italy on 1 March 2003 to conduct their Annual Training period with the 208th Finance Battalion. They will provide support to this active duty Finance Battalion through 15 March 2003. Members of the 119th Corps Support Battalion deployed to Miesau, Germany on 8 March 2003 to conduct their Annual Training period with the 191st Ordnance Battalion. They will provide support to this active duty Ordnance Battalion through 29 March 2003.

8. NEW JERSEY VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS APPROACHING. The Foundation will be awarding two $2,500 scholarships to two graduating seniors from New Jersey who plan to further their education either at a college, university, or trade/technical school. Graduating seniors have until April 11, 2003 to submit their applications and essays to qualify. Winners will be notified in early May, and will be awarded the scholarship on Monday, May 26,2003, during the Memorial Day ceremony held at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. For a scholarship application form or more information about the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation, please call (732) 335-0033 or visit their website at http://www.njvvmf.org.

9. CHALLENGE CADET DONATES HAIR. Cadet Jose Cabrera, 17, of Jersey City is making changes in his life. The first step he took was to enroll in the National Guard's Challenge Youth program. During the program's in-processing this past weekend, Jose took a second step as he sat down in the barber's chair while 18" of hair was cut. Cadet Cabrera donated his hair to Locks of Love; a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. "Although I will miss my hair, it feels good to know that I am helping someone else feel good about themselves. " After completing the program, Cadet Cabrera would like to continue to help others by becoming a fireman in his community.

10. NJ NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CAMP REMINDER. Warmer weather is approaching and summer will be here before we know it. Now is the time to begin thinking about this year's Youth Camp, which will run from 6 to 12 July 2003. This one-week, resident camp is open to the children of active, former, and retired members of the NJ National Guard between the ages if 9-12. The cost of the program is $100 per child, and applications are available online at http://www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html. The deadline for applying is 15 May 2003. Volunteers are still needed as Counselors (Age 18 and above), Junior Counselors (15-17 years), Activities (sports, arts and crafts, swimming, archery, camping), and Staff Support.

11. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

12. ARMORY HAPPENINGS - CHECK TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU.

13. ST. PATRICK'S DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED NEXT MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2003. FIND OUT HOW TO CATCH A LEPRECHAUN AND OTHER INFO TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE THE DAY

What is a Leprechaun, what do they look like, why are they so special, and how do I catch one? The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed as a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. Most importantly, leprechauns possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by listening closely for the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he must be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure. The captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he can trick you into looking away), he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

Why do we all wear the color green? Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't. School children in Ireland started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and is connected with hope and nature.

Why is kissing the Blarney Stone lucky? The Blarney Stone is set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). Legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. Thousands of tourists every year visit the castle and attempt to kiss the Blarney Stone. It is difficult to reach the stone - it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support.

An Irish blessing for you….

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!