Farewell Salute to the Troops scheduled for 18 May 2004.

On Tuesday evening, 18 May 2004, Governor James E. McGreevey and The Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, will be hosting a ceremony honoring the soldiers deploying this month to the Sinai. These individuals will be an integral part of the multinational observer force for the next year. The ceremony for approximately 330 soldiers plus their families and friends will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial. Invited guests include Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. We also anticipate the participation of veterans’ organizations and various community groups such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and USO. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Please join us as we express our appreciation for the continuing service of our citizen-soldiers in the Global War on Terrorism.

Korean War Veterans honored at Medal Ceremony.

On Saturday, 8 May 2004, 54 veterans were honored with the Korean Service Commemoration Medal at a ceremony held at the Wildwood Aviation Museum, located at the Naval Air Station in Rio Grande, New Jersey. Dr. Joseph Salvatore, Chairman, NASW Aviation Museum, served as Master of Ceremony. Mr. Bill Devereaux, Director of the Division of Veterans Programs, presented the Medals.

Family Assistance Center of Woodbury opens today.

New Jersey continues to lead the way in assisting the families of our soldiers and airmen being mobilized and deployed. Another Family Assistance Center will open today at 2 p.m. in the Woodbury National Guard Armory, located at 120 Progress Avenue, Woodbury, NJ 08096.

April was a banner month for Army Warrant Officers.

April was a super month for the Warrant Officer community. CW5 Al Curing, Command Chief warrant Officer of the New Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG) noted Warrant Officer gains in Aviation and Technical Services.

CW3 Darrin Tolleson transferred from the USAR as a UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot to Company A of the 1st Battalion 150th General Support Aviation Battalion. Chief Tolleson calls North Liberty, Indiana home and works for Air Midwest in Wichita, Kansas.

CW2 William Kavanaugh transferred from the New York Army National Guard as a UH-60 Blackhawlk Pilot to Company A of the 642nd Direct Aviation Support Battalion. Chief Kavanaugh hails from Doylestown, Pennsylvania and works for Keystone Aviation in Philadelphia.

CW2 Gregory Troy has returned to service with fifteen years in the active Component Army as an Ammunition Technician in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 42nd Division Support Command (DISCOM).

WO1 Kimberly Conley returned to New Jersey after a year-long transfer in the South Carolina Guard as a Military Personnel Technician in Joint Force Headquarters. Ms. Conley had become a Warrant Officer in the NJARNG in April of 2002, and left shortly after due to full-time job commitments.

Current Guard members can further explore Warrant Officer opportunities by calling Chief Curving at 609-5623-0969. Non-members should contact a NJARNG Recruiter for further information.

First Morris Bank and Trust joins New Jersey’s Freedom Loan Program.

The First Morris Bank and Trust located at 250 Madison Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey is the latest of New Jersey’s lending institutions to agree to participate in the Freedom Loan Program. Contact First Morris Bank and Trust at 1-888-530-2265.

The New Jersey (Revised 2004) Veterans Guide is now available on the world wide web.

The New Jersey “Veterans Guide” (revised 2004 edition) is now available on the world wide web in a user friendly on-line version at the following web address:
http://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/njguide/index.html.

The Veterans Guide provides up to date information on veterans programs, entitlements, and services. Take a look at the new edition today.

DMVA welcomes MSgt (Ret) Hank Pierre to its full-time staff.

MSgt (Ret) Hank Pierre has joined the full-time staff at DMVA as Executive Assistant, New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). With a combined total of over 26 years of military experience in the Air Force and Army and Air National Guard, MSgt Pierre will handle ESGR issues on behalf of New Jersey’s National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines.

NJ National Guard attends Overseas Duty Conference.

The J-3 office attended an Overseas Duty conference 6-9 May 2004 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The J-3 coordinated overseas duty rotations for Company B, 250th Forward Support Battalion (Bordentown) and the 57th Troop Command. These Annual Training periods will be in support of the 29th Support Group located in Kaiserslautern. These units will be supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by helping to repair and recondition equipment damaged in Iraq from units such as the 1st Infantry Division based in Germany.

New Jersey is represented at the National Guard Marathon Trials.

On 2 May 2004, Maj Jesse Arnstein (Air National Guard), SFC Donald Brandinelli (Army National Guard) and MSG Alex Estrada (Army National Guard) represented the New Jersey National Guard in Lincoln, Nebraska for the Marathon Trials. Major Arnstein finished 20th overall in the National Guard competition and won entry in the National Guard Marathon Team. SFC Brandinelli and MSG Estrada completed the entire marathon together. The team would like to thank everyone for their continued support. The team will compete next in the Army Ten Miler, which will be held in October. The team is also looking for new members willing to train and promote physical fitness, recruiting and retention, and most importantly, the New Jersey National Guard.

Pancake Breakfast to benefit the troops.

A Pancake Breakfast will be held at the American Legion Post 414, Berwyn Place, Lawrenceville, on 6 June 04 from 7:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. All proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to the Family Assistance Program for those families of OUR SOLDIERS participating in Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Mobilizations. Tickets are $6. For further information, call 609-989-9162 or 609-771-4143. Come out and support our troops and their families by supporting this event.

Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies.

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

Help Wanted: Honor Guard Vacancy.

The Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery Honor Guard has a vacancy for an Army Honor Guard Member. The job qualifications require the applicants to be authorized to wear his or her Service Uniform (currently serving National Guardsmen, members of the United States Army Reserve, or an Army Retiree). This is a State hourly position, with a starting salary of $15 per hour. If you are interested or know of someone who is interested, contact First Sergeant Iven Dumas at the Cemetery (609-785-7250).

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

Summer safety goal – Zero Fatalities.

Memorial Day marks the start of our 101 Critical Days of Summer Safety Campaign. The safety goal is zero injuries – zero deaths. That’s the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ goal for this year’s campaign. Alcohol, speeding, and the failure to use seat belts are the leading factors in summer-time deaths. A zero fatality rate is attainable. Let’s do our share by doing things right, watching out for each other, and avoiding excess risks. While safety is ultimately an individual responsibility, leadership at all levels must emphasize safety to their respective teams and promote the importance of applying risk management to all summertime activities. Each member of the DMVA team can enjoy the summer by applying risk management practices to their off-duty activities. Risk Management and Personal Responsibility should be the focus between now and Memorial Day weekend, as well as throughout the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Remember, our goal is zero fatalities. Start raising safety awareness now to prevent mishaps! The Department’s outstanding performance in the war on terrorism and service to Veterans can be overshadowed by just one needless, preventable fatality. Let’s celebrate a safe summer together; a summer with zero fatalities.

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.

Attention Veterans – Small Business Resource Day is scheduled.

The second annual Small Business Resource Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 June 2004, at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City (Duane Street Entrance) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration, The U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the day’s goal is to help veteran-owned small businesses discover government procurement opportunities. Admission is free! Refreshments will be served! If you need additional information, please call (212) 264-8265.

The US Department of Defense expands its internal communications efforts.

The Department of Defense announced it is expanding its internal communications efforts with two initiatives during national Military Appreciation Month in May 2004. An electronic version of the “Stars and Stripes” newspaper will be available for downloading at no cost beginning 1 May, while the Pentagon Channel, the department’s news and information service, will become available to all U.S. military installations on May 14. Making the electronic “Stars and Stripes” available world-wide allows service members to view exact replica copies of the newspaper’s European, Pacific, and Mideast editions, providing timely theater news and information for an about deployed forces. The electronic version of the newspaper is available online at http://estripes.osd.mil.

Today in History…

Today is Friday, 14 May 2004 and the 135th day of the year. There are 232 days left in the year. On this day…

* 1787 – Delegates began gathering in Philadelphia for a convention to draw up the U.S. Constitution.

* 1897 – “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa was performed for the first time. It was at a ceremony where a statue of George Washington was unveiled.

* 1897 – Guglielmo Marconi made the first communication by wireless telegraph.

* 1904 – The Olympic games were held in St. Louis. It was the first time for the games to be played in the United States.

* 1942 – The Women’s Auxiliary Army corps (WAAC) was established by an act of the U.S. Congress.

* 1948 – Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the independent State of Israel as British rule in Palestine came to an end.

* 1973 – Skylab One was launched into orbit around Earth as the first U.S. manned space station.

* 1980 – U. S. President Carter inaugurated the Department of Health and Human Services.

* 1998 – The final episode of the TV series “Seinfeld” aired after nine years on NBC.

Fun Food Facts –

* The average McDonald’s Big Mac bun has 198 sesame seeds on it.

* SPAM was first promoted as a health food. In Korea it comes gift boxed. If placed end to end, all the SPAM ever sold would circle the Earth more than ten times.

* As much as 50 gallons of Maple sap are used to make a single gallon of Maple sugar.

* Sliced bread was introduced under the Wonder Bread label in 1930.

* When it originally appeared in 1886, Coca Cola was billed as an “Esteemed Brain Tonic and Intellectual Beverage.”