|
|
| Army Guard |  |
Air Guard | |
Veterans | |
Administration | |
Leadership | |
Youth ChalleNGe | |
Sitemap |
| DMAVA Highlights Archives |
|
20
August 2004
|
Volume
3, Number 33
|
||||||||||||
|
. NJ
Dept of Military and Maj Gen
Glenn K. Rieth Brig Gen
Maria Falca-Dodson _ Contacting us is easy! Office of the Assistant Commisioner COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith Mrs. Laura A. Branham Phone: (609) 530-6987 Fax: (609) 530-7109 Email: We're
on the Web! Register and Vote! “Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted President. One hopes it is the same half.” .. Gore Vidal
- New Jersey Freedom Loans
What is a Freedom Loan? * Up to $10,000 Who is eligible to apply? NJ residents who are: * Members of the National Guard or Reserve Or * Served 90 or more consecutive days in the GWOT on federal or state active duty (excluding routing training) and have received orders extending cumulative active duty a year or longer.
How do I apply? * Contact participating banks. Call or visit
your local branch office to obtain an application. Current participants: Commerce Bank Credit
Union of NJ First
Morris Bank & Trust Fleet Manasquan
Savings Bank North
Jersey Federal Peapack-Gladstone
Bank Pennsville
National Bank PNC Sovereign
Bank Sun
National Bank |
Family Appreciation Day –
Over 200 veterans honored at recent Medal Ceremony. On Wednesday, 18 August 2004, Colonel James W. Lovas, United States Property and Fiscal Officer, presented 223 veterans with the Korean War Commemorative Medal at a ceremony held at the Sears Court, Echelon Mall, Voorhees, NJ. With Ms. Kathy Hymes, performing Mistress of Ceremony duties, Camden County’s Director of Military Affairs. LTC Al Bancroft led those in attendance with the Invocation. The program included a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem performed by Mr. William Mead, NJ State Vocalist for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and remarks by Mr. William Devereaux, Director, Division of Veterans Programs. Department employees, Karen Hansen and SSG Barbara Harbison provided additional support.
The Adjutant General hosts retired New Jersey National Guard Senior Leaders. On Thursday, 19 August 2004, MG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, welcomed 23 retired New Jersey National Guard Generals, Command Sergeants Major, and Command Chief Master Sergeants to the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Homeland Security Center of Excellence’s conference room. MG Rieth briefed them on the state of the New Jersey National Guard. Topics he discussed included mobilizations, force structure transformation, strength, homeland security, and family programs. Maj Gen Cosgrave spoke to the leaders on the status and activities of the Governor’s commission to protect and retain military bases in New Jersey. Maj Gen Cosgrave was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Commission whose purpose is to create support to keep all of our bases open through the federal Department of Defense Effective Facilities Initiative (Base Realignment and Closure). Assistant Commissioner, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith, illustrated the multiple successes the DMVA Veterans Affairs Directorates achieved since January 2002. Some of the key issues were the opening of Menlo Park’s Old Glory Wing, the ongoing construction of the new Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland, and Paramus’ multi-purpose room. He pointed to the Healthcare Professions Recruiter’s (Mr. Ernie Razzano) outstanding success that led to the hiring of 127 nurses in 15 months! Veterans Haven building rehabilitation and the completion of a 1,680-niche columbarium at the BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery were highlighted. Since January 2002, the Veterans Benefits Bureau has presented over 20,000 New Jersey medals to eligible veterans. Director of Government Relations, Dr. Wayne E. Girardet, updated all on the status of state and federal legislation affecting DMVA, the NJ National Guard, and Veterans. He described our FY 2005 Legislative Priorities and the success in achieving our FY 04 and FY 03 initiatives. He also spoke of the State’s effort to retain New Jersey’s military infrastructure. Feedback from these Senior Leaders was positive and enthusiastic.
New Jersey receives Albanian Liaison Officer. After a year-long process, NJ warmly greeted MAJ Editson Zarka, Albanian Liaison Officer, who is in the United States on an extended 90-day familiarization visit. In Albania, Major Zarka specializes in Internal Partnerships and NATO Liaison duties. During his time here he will provide valuable Albanian insight into our unique relationship, as well as crucial liaison between this office and a variety of Albanian Civil-Military organizations. In addition to providing a human face in the representation of his country to key personnel throughout the state, it is hoped that MAJ Zarka will learn a great deal about the NJ National Guard’s capabilities and limitations that will assist his compatriots in the development of future operations and cooperation between our two communities. It is also hoped that his visit will further the cultural understanding between our two societies and increase our ability to communicate and work with each other. New Jersey also led the way earlier this year when, working through the State Partnership Program, our state hosted the Civil-Military Emergency Planning (CMEP) Workshop in May. The workshop was the first of its kind entirely hosted by a National Guard organization in which a group of 15 Albanian CMEP personnel visited New Jersey, received briefings from a broad variety of civil and military personnel from national, state, and local organizations involved in the field of Emergency and Consequence Management. The participants toured various locations throughout New Jersey in order to better learn about U.S. CMEP policies and procedures. Both initiatives have received the attention of other states who have contacted us in an effort to duplicate these events.
ESGR sponsored NASCAR car on display – 30 August 2004. In support of the ESGR Employer Outreach Initiative, ESGR’s NASCAR show car will be on display at the Marriott – Lafayette Yard in Trenton on 30 August 2004 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As part of the display, visitors will have the opportunity to be photographed with the car and to sign a banner in support of our troops. This banner will be sent to National Guard and Reserve units serving overseas to let them know that Americans support them. The New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve will host a luncheon honoring local employers for the support given to their employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve.
Helmets to Hardhats Helmets to Hardhats is a free program that helps to place transitioning military and those in the Guard into quality construction careers. The program is about to launch a special segment in New Jersey that can provide many veterans and guardsmen with great careers and benefits in the construction industry. These careers are reserved for those that have served or are serving. This is an opportunity to explore a new career. For more information or to register for the program, visit the website: www.helmetstohardhats.org.
Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies. The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State’s veterans.
Election Day is November 2nd. Have you registered to vote? Not registered to vote? Election Day is 2 November 2004. You are eligible to vote if you are a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen who is 18 years old by Election Day and a resident of your state and county at least 30 days prior to the election. Although time is running short, there is still time to register and be eligible to vote in this year’s all-important Presidential election. Voter Registration forms are available in our Office of Government Relations. If you are interested in obtaining a voter registration application, please contact Ms. Elizabeth DiStefano at 609-530-6893 or at Elizabeth.distefano@njdmava.state.nj.us. Soldiers and Airmen deploying between now and the general election should register to vote with their deployed unit address before departing. Registration is accomplished by completing a Federal Post Card Application, Standard Form 76. Some states will accept the form electronically or by fax. The form and all of the states’ rules can be found at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/airmenvotes. Registering in advance means the balloting materials will be waiting for them at their forward location. Troops need to file an SF 76 explaining in the remarks box that no address is available. This will prevent the state from sending balloting materials. All states are different, but many will not resend balloting materials. When soldiers/airmen find out their address or if there is a change of address while deployed, they will need to send another SF 76 with their new APO/FPO address, checking off “Mail Absentee Ballot To” (item 4). In the remarks section, you should include the dates you will be absent, enter their old address, and write in block letters the words, “OLD ADDRESS.” Under the updated address, the applicant writes in block letters “NEW ADDRESS.” The bottom line is to know your state’s rules so your ballot doesn’t have to come looking for you.
NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center’s upcoming event schedule. Listed here are upcoming events to be held at the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center.
For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033. The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116.
101 Critical Days of Summer – Five keys to safer food. * Keep clean – Wash your hands before handling food and after going to the toilet. Wash and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used in food preparation. * Separate raw and cooked – Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods. Use separate equipment and utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handling raw foods. Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods. * Cook thoroughly – Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood. Reheat cooked food thoroughly. * Keep food at Safe temperatures. Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate all cooked and perishable food promptly. Do not store food too long, even in the refrigerator. Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature. * Use safe water and raw materials. Use safe water. Select fresh and wholesome foods. Wash fruits and vegetables. Do not use food beyond its expiration date.
Fun Facts – (courtesy of MAJ John Scannell) - Did you know…many years ago, in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled “Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden”…thus the word GOLF entered into the English language. - The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone. - Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury. - Coca-Cola was originally green. - 28% of Africa is wilderness. 38% of North America is wilderness. - The first novel ever written on a typewriter – Tom Sawyer. - Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace.
Today in History… Today is Friday, August 20th. It is the 233rd day of the year, with 134 days remaining. - 1741 -- Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering discovered Alaska. - 1866 – President Andrew Johnson formally declared the Civil War was over. The fighting had stopped months earlier. - 1923 – The first American dirigible, the “Shenandoah,” was launched in Lakehurst, NJ. - 1945 – Tommy Brown of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the youngest player to hit a home run in a major league ball game. Brown was 17 years, 8 months, and 14 days old. - 1953 – It was announced by the Soviet Union that they had detonated a hydrogen bomb. - 1977 – Voyager 2 was launched by the United States toward Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The spacecraft was carrying a 12 inch copper phonograph record containing greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music, and sounds of nature. - 1985 – The original Xerox 914 copies was presented to the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History. Chester Carlson was the man who invented the machine. - 1998 – The U.N. Security Council extended trade sanctions against Iraq for blocking arms inspections.
As the New Jersey National Guard deploys soldiers and airmen around the globe, the families that are left behind need our support and assistance. Can we count on your help? Please call your local Family Readiness center and volunteer. To reach any NJ National Guard Family Assistance Center Call toll free 888-859-0352 |
The
Adjutant General, MG Glenn K. Rieth, invites you and your
immediate family to Family Appreciation Day tomorrow at the
National Guard Training Center located on the Atlantic Ocean
at Sea Girt, NJ. This day is being set aside to thank the
families of all our Airmen, Soldiers and DMVA employees. The
fun begins at 10 a.m. and the day’s activities will feature
amusement rides, games, pony rides, clowns, etc. for the kids,
and live performances of Doo Wop, Blues, Jazz, Rap, Big Band,
Country, and Spanish music for everyone to enjoy. There will
be appearances by Miss America, a USO troupe, WWE wrestlers,
and the New Jersey Army National Guard’s very own 63rd
Army Band. With games, great food, and a day of fun-filled
entertainment planned, you won’t want to miss the fun!
So come one and come all and join us for a great day in the
sun!
Call
today and volunteer to help at a Family Readiness Center near
you.
|
Department: Home | Army | Air | Veterans | Administration | Leadership | Youth Challenge | Sitemap | Links Statewide: NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs Copyright © State of New Jersey, 2018 Department of Military & Veterans Affairs P.O. Box 340 Trenton, NJ 08625-0340 Phone: 609-530-4600 Updated: June 13, 2018 8:59 |
 |
|
 |