16 January 2004

   Volume 3, Number 2

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NJ Dept of Military and
Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General

Col Maria Falca-Dodson
Deputy Adjutant General

COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian
Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

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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

NJ Army National Guardsmen participated in mobilization ceremony.

180 members of the NJ Army National Guard participated in a mobilization ceremony held last week at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville. The soldiers are expected to spend one year in Iraq after four to six months of specific training at Fort Dix. The soldiers are members of the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery and come from batteries in Morristown, Toms River, Cherry Hill, and Lawrenceville. Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 117th Cavalry are also being deployed. The need for additional security forces in occupied Iraq has forced the soldiers into police roles. They will act as military police, including guarding American convoys driving through the country. Families of the soldiers were provided with presentations about medical services, insurance, and counseling available to them while their loved ones serve in Iraq.

Human Resources Division welcomes its new Director.

DMVA extends a warm welcome to Ms. Loreta Sepulveda, who joined our staff on Monday, 12 January 2004, as the new Director of the Human Resources Division. Ms. Sepulveda comes to DMVA from Human Resources at the Superior Courts of New Jersey. When you see Loreta in the hallway, be sure to introduce yourself and say “hello.”

NJ Air National Guard Members are “Coined” by General Officers.

Major General Clark W. Martin, NJ Air National Guard Commander, and Brigadier General Eugene R. Chojnacki, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, “coined” six members recently for their service over the New Year’s Holiday. The individuals volunteered their time and expertise in the Joint Operations Center and at the Teaneck Armory. Coined were Captain Devon Hanson, Chief Master Sergeant John Artigliere, and SSgt Diane Hess from the Joint Forces Headquarters Air Component, and MSgt Jim Granato, MSgt Fred Gonzalez, and SSgt Keith Czeczuga from the 108th Air Refueling Wing.

Veterans honored at recent Medal ceremony.

Brigadier General Eugene R. Chojnacki, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, presented 108 veterans with the Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medals at a ceremony held on 14 January 2004 at the VFW Post 1616 in Williamstown, New Jersey. Assemblyman David Mayer, District 4, Deptford’s Deputy Mayor Jackie Love, and Mr. Angelo Romeo, Director of Veterans Affairs in Gloucester County, were among the honored guests in attendance. CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly served as Master of Ceremonies, and DMVA employees, Karen Hansen, Michele Johnson, and SSgt Barbara Harbison, assisted in the medal presentation ceremony.

New Jersey’s ChalleNGe Youth Program receives honors.

Congratulations to the New Jersey National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program for receiving two honors at the recent ChalleNGe Director’s Workshop held in Orlando, Florida. New Jersey received an award for Most Improved/Progressive Program in 2003, as well as an Honorable Mention for having one of the top three best Physical Training curriculums. Thanks to the dedicated staff who made these awards possible.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center Announces Scholarship Program.

The NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation has announced its 2004 Scholarship Program. Scholarships will be awarded to two graduating seniors from NJ who plan to further their education either a college, university, or trade/technical school. Information on how to apply for the scholarship and important deadlines are available by calling (732) 335-0033 or by visiting the NJ Vietnam Memorial’s website by clicking here.

Today in History…

Today is Friday, 16 January 2004 and the 16th day of the year. There are 351 days left in the year. On this day…

- 1883 – Pendleton Act creates the basis of the U.S. Civil Service system.

- 1920 – First assembly of the League of Nations (Paris).

- 1942 – William Knudsen becomes the first civilian appointed a General in the U.S. Army.

- 1951 – World’s largest gas pipeline opens (Brownsville, Texas, to 134th Street, New York City).

- 1963 – Krushchev claims to have a 100 mega-ton nuclear bomb.

- 1974 – “Jaws” by Peter Benchley is published.

- 1982 – Britain and the Vatican resumed full diplomatic relations after a break of over 400 years.

- 1991 – Operation Desert Storm begins. The United States and 27 allies attack Iraq for occupying Kuwait.

- 2002 – The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted sanctions against Osama bin Laden, his terror network, and the remnants of the Taliban. The sanctions required that all nations impose arms embargoes and freeze their finances.

Armory Happenings - Check to see what's happening at an Armory near you.

Winter Driving Tips –

Here are a few things you can do to make driving a bit safer during the cold/snowy weather:

• If you car needs a tune-up or is due for regular service, get it done now.

• Make sure your battery and charging system are up to snuff. The battery that started easily in the summer may not have enough oomph to do it in winter, when the oil isn’t as “fluid” as it was in July. Batteries lose power as temperatures drop.

• Check your cooling system – Make certain your anti-freeze will protect your car in freezing temperatures. If you have leaks in the system, get them taken care of now.

• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape. Winter wipers, with rubber coverings that keep ice from collecting on the blade, are now available. However, winter wipers are heavy and if you continue to use them all summer, you can wear out the wiper motor.

• Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. Also, warm daylight temperatures fill the empty space in your gas tank with moisture, which will condense during the cold nights. This water will sink to the bottom and, sooner or later, rust out your tank.

• Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full. On a snowy or messy day, you can easily go through half a gallon of fluid trying to keep your windshield clear.

• Make sure your rear window defroster works.

• Make sure you have some basic supplies in your car in case you get stuck. Invest in a snowbrush, ice scraper, blanket, and extra windshield washer fluid.

• You can’t see through snow – so make a “preflight check” before a winter car trip. Take extra time to clean the car off thoroughly. Make sure every glass surface is clear. All sideview mirrors and lights should be brushed and cleared as well.

• Finally, when driving in the snow, do everything slowly. Even with good coolant, snow tires, traction control, all-wheel drive, and a bag of Doritos in the trunk, driving in snow and ice can be treacherous. Accelerate, turn, and brake slowly and gently. Leave plenty of distance between you and other cars.

Upcoming Calendar of Events for the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center.

The NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial has scheduled the following events:

24 Jan - 1 pm
Vietnam Veteran Verse: “Earth Songs” by Jan Barry and “Tunnel Vision” by Charles Johnson.

28 Feb - 1 pm
Author Lecture by Gerald R. Gioglio, who will discuss his book, Days of Decision: An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors in the Military During the Vietnam War.