NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria F. Morgan

Deputy Adjutant General

COL Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

Words of Wisdom.

"Continous effort,

not strength or

intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential."

.Winston Churchill

Important Calendar Dates...

Annual Military Review

Sunday, 7 Sep 03

10 a.m.

Parade Field

National Guard Training Center

Sea Girt, NJ

ESGR Annual Golf Outing

25 Sep 2003

Falcon Creek Golf Course

McGuire AFB

For more info,

Contact     

LTC Richard Fox at (609) 530-7019/7020.

From 18 June through 30 November 2003, all members of the NJARNG are eligible for Silver and Gold Level Awards by providing enlistment leads to your Recruiting and Retention NCO for the 2003 Victory Challenge. Silver and Gold Level Awards are as follows:

Silver Level: 3 enlistments

1. Director’s Victory Challenge Coin in case, certificate and letter
2. Leather Jacket or Car 54 Jacket
3. Framed Flag that has flown over the Capitol
4. Victory Challenge Plaque, Trophy, ARNG warm-up suit, and shirt
5. Promotion – max grade of PFC/E3 (see requirements in Army Bulletin #39)

Gold Level: 5 enlistments

1. All prizes fro Silver Level AND…
2. NCSCAR race tickets with Garage Access, Dinner with Race Team (Las Vegas Race)
3. Air Assault OR Airborne School (see requirements in Army Bulletin #39)
4. Custom backpack with removable camel back
5. Custom "You Can" gym bag

Veterans Service Officers (VSO) assist clients in receiving $3 million in benefits during the month of July.

July was a good month for the New Jersey veterans who were assisted by our experienced staff of Veteran Service Officers. Six of the VSOs were responsible for helping their clients receive more than $3 million in Veterans Administration monetary awards. Those VSOs are Edna Jones (Hudson) $706,817; Bob Maulano (Bergen) $638,461; Joe Battito (Middlesex/Somerset) $536,158; Joe Salzano (Ocean) $419,884; Monica Banca (Warren/Hunterdon) $375,650; and Guy Wiener (Gloucester/Camden) $373,088. Great results on behalf of the veterans of New Jersey!

DMVA Headquarters renovations showcased.

On Wednesday, 12 August 2003, the Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, hosted the grand reopening of the renovated second floor of DMVA HQ. In a precedent setting event, former TAGs, MG (Ret) Wilfred C. Menard and MG (Ret) Vito Morgano, former DAG’s, BG (Ret) Kenneth L. Rieth and BG (Ret) Preston Taylor, former State Command Sergeants Major, CSM (Ret) James L. R. Smith, CSM (Ret) Richard LaRocca, CSM (Ret) Frank Newman, and former NJ Air National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, CCM (Ret) Matthew Vaughan joined their retired colleagues from Veterans Affairs and executive secretaries to view their former work environment. Current Department employees participated in an Open House to see the new office and work areas for three Veterans Affairs Divisions, the Human Resources Division, and the senior leadership. BG Rieth praised the Department’s Installations Division for using our own internal workforce to create these beautiful working conditions while staying under budget, and providing lighting and window changes that reduce utility costs by 33%.

Vietnam, Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medal
Presentation Ceremonies are scheduled.

20 August

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Distinguished Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal
Middlesex Community College
2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ

28 August

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Distinguished Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal
Orange Elks
475 Main Street, Orange, NJ

Retired Senior Leaders briefed on status of DMVA.

Over 30 former New Jersey National Guard General Officers, Command Sergeants Major, and Command Chief Master Sergeants attended a seminar at DMVA’s Homeland Security Center of Excellence. These former leaders of DMVA were updated on the Department’s activities in Homeland Security, the Army and Air National Guard, Veterans Affairs, Legislative initiatives, and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Following a tour of DMVA’s state of the art Joint Operations Center, The Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, conducted an extensive and spirited question and answer session with our former leaders. This is the second senior leader briefing conducted by BG Rieth since June 2002. Due to the continued positive response, there will be more briefing updates for this august group.

Semi-Annual Logistics Advisory Council (LAC)/LOG Training Program and Picnic scheduled for 11 September 2003.

The NJARNG Logistics Advisory Council (LAC) is conducting its Semi-annual Logistics Training Program at 0800 on 11 September 2003 in Building #36, National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, New Jersey. Training will focus on HSCOE Reports and Reporting Procedures, Backorder Reconciliation, IMAP Procedures, ULLS-G (Calibration) and Change of Command Inventory Procedures. At the conclusion of the training program, the Logistics community will host its annual picnic at the pavilion. All are invited to attend the training and picnic to share ideas and crosswalk information. Anyone interested in attending the training or picnic should contact CW2 John Garrison, G4-FST, (609) 562-0281, NLT 1 September 2003. For those senior individuals (E7 and above) attending the picnic, a $10 donation per person at sign-in, will be greatly appreciated to help defray the expenses associated with the picnic. POC for additional information is LT Richard W. Coffland, LAC Training and Instruction Committee Chairman, (609) 562-0273.

Cold War Certificates are still available.

Service members, veterans, and federal employees who served between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991 are still eligible for a Cold War Recognition Certificate, said officials of the U. S. Army Personnel Command. In fiscal 1998, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding the certificate to personnel who served during the Cold War. For more information and an application, visit https://coldwar.army.mil. Applications will be accepted only by fax or mail.

Stand Down 2003 scheduled for Friday, 26 September 2003.

Stand Down 2003, which serves homeless veterans and their families, will be held on Friday, 26 September 2003, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Armory, Grove Street & Park Boulevard. Federal, State, public and private support agencies will offer a broad array of free services and assistance such as: eye care, VA benefit counseling, Welfare/Social Security, Food Stamps, legal services, addiction services, housing information, medical/dental and employment/unemployment assistance, haircuts, and clothing provisions. Individuals are encouraged to pre-register by calling 800-464-8387 or 856-566-7297. Registration forms are available at Camden County Veterans Affairs Office, Veterans Organizations, shelters, and feeding stations. Bus transportation from the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden will be provided to and from Stand Down.

G6 hires new employee.

CPT Dimitra Bairaktaris joined the ranks of the G6 full-time staff this week as the new Chief of the Information Services Support Branch. CPT Bairaktaris comes to us from active duty with the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY, were she was the Signal Officer the 10th Aviation Brigade. She will be responsible for the Customer Support Center, Logistics Support Section, and the Training Management Section of the G6 on a full time basis. CPT Bairaktaris will be assigned on the weekend to the 250th Signal Battalion. The skills and experience CPT Bairaktaris brings to the G6 will be a wonderful addition as the Directorate reorganizes and relocates to Fort Dix over the next several months. Please welcome Dimitra to the DMVA family when you see her.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center Announces its Calendar of Events for the summer.

16 Aug
1 p.m.
Author Lecture and Slide Show presented by author, James D. Nelson, about his book, Vietnam War Paintings: Art by James Davis Nelson, Narratives by Participants.

8 Sep
9 a.m.
Golf Outing Olde York Country Club

19 Sep
11 a.m.
POW/MIA GSM Recognition Day Ceremony

21 Sep
11 a.m.
Rolling Thunder POW/MIA Awareness Motorcycle Run

17 Oct
9 a.m.
Capturing the Imagination – The Art, Music, Theater, Poetry, and Prose of the Vietnam Veteran

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

Today in History…

Today is the 227h day of 2003. There are 138 days left in the year. On this date:

• In 1939, The MGM musical "The Wizard of Oz, premiered at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
• In 1945, August 15 was proclaimed V-J Day, a day after Japan agreed to surrender unconditionally.
• 1947, India became independent after 200 years of British rule.
• In 1948, The Republic of Korea was proclaimed.
• In 1961, East Germans began building the Berlin Wall.
• In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Air Fair opened in upstate NY. One year ago, President Bush pressed Congress to give him a flexible, fast-moving Homeland Security Department. Some 600 family members of September 11th victims filed a trillion-dollar lawsuit against Saudi officials, banks and charities, charging they’d financed Osama bin Laden’s network and the attacks on New York and Washington.

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

16 August

Rugby Tournament

NGTC, Sea Girt

17 – 19 August

Tool Show & Sale

Freehold Armory

27 –31 August

Tool Show & Sale

Lawrenceville Armory

6-7 September

Table Tennis Tournament

Woodbridge Armory

13 September

Classic Car Show

NGTC, Sea Girt

9-14 September

Antique Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

9-14 September

Tool Show & Sale

Toms River Armory

13 September

Irish Festival

Sea Girt

20 September

Computer Show & Sale

Teaneck Armory

21 September

Sports Card, Comics & Beanies

Bordentown Armory

25-28 September

Ceramics & Porcelain Doll Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

29 Sep – 8 Oct

Carpet & Furniture Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

Going Bananas!!!

• Bananas are a quick fix for flagging energy levels – Combined with fiber and containing three natural sugars, sucrose, fructose, and glucose, bananas provide an instant, sustained, and substantial boost of energy.
• Depressed? Suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Have a banana. Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which is known to make you relax and improve your mood.
• Anemic? High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
• High Blood Pressure? This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium, yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat high blood pressure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
• Hungover? One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milk shake sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
• Smoking - Bananas can help people trying to quit smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.