New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Governor McGreevey and BG Glenn Rieth, The Adjutant General, spent an emotional afternoon with 182 mobilized soldiers of the 3/112th FA, the 5/117th CAV and their families at the New Jersey National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. The soldiers, who have been at Fort Dix since January 9th, have been training to serve as convoy security in Iraq. It is anticipated that they will leave later this week for a one-year tour. On Tuesday, the soldiers had one last opportunity to spend time with their families before their departure. Governor McGreevey shook the hand of each soldier as they entered the room. The Governor and BG Rieth addressed the families and pledged their support during the separation.

While at the New Jersey National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, the Governor announced that the Freedom Loan Program is now available to mobilized New Jersey Nat4wional Guard or Reserves. It is a 5-year, 6% interest, up to $10,000 loan. During the service member’s deployment, interest payments will be deferred up to one year (standard underwriting procedures will be used). Caroline Ehrlich, Chief of Staff to New Jersey’s Treasurer John McCormack, initiated discussions with major banks. Sovereign, PNC, Fleet, and Commerce banks are prepared to support our servicemembers. All New Jersey banks will be permitted to join in providing this benefit. Specific details will be forthcoming in future issues of DMVA Highlights.

On Wednesday, 18 February 2004, Chief Daniel Posluszny, Captain Joseph Prettyman, and Lieutenants Mark Boyd, Mark Ubry, and Charles Edgar met with BG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith, Assistant Commissioner, and Retired Chief of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, Joseph Lech, to establish a working partnership for the benefit of the Lawrence community and NJDMVA. BG Rieth briefed the visitors on the extensive deployments the NJ National Guard is experiencing, the success of our Family Readiness Centers, and of our desire to engage the community’s support for the families of our mobilized soldiers and airmen. The Adjutant General followed with a tour and explanation of the Department’s state of the art Homeland Security Center of Excellence and Joint Operations Center. Positive discussion of mutual support was expressed by BG Rieth and Chief Posluszny. BG Rieth stated that soon he would address the county and state Chiefs of Police organizations. Direct contact with local Chiefs and their staffs in towns where our armories are located will be initiated as a result of the Lawrence Police Department’s visit.

Chief Master Sergeant Valerie D. Benton, Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air National Guard, visited New Jersey during the period 11-13 February 2004. The Chief visited and conducted Town Hall Meetings at the 177th Fighter Wing and the 108th Air Refueling Wing, had lunch with Brigadier General Rieth, and attended a Center of Influence Recruiting Luncheon hosted by the 108th Air Refueling Wing. Chief Benton was also the guest speaker at the McGuire NCO Academy Graduation on Thursday evening, 12 February. Throughout her visit, Chief Benton had an opportunity to hear first hand the concerns, challenges, and success stories of the NJ Air National Guard.

January was a super month for the aviation community. CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the new Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG), and COL Paul Ciervo, State Army Aviation Officer, jointly announce the following Warrant Officer actions:

• CW2 Anthony J. Giano Jr. received a direct appointment to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) on January 10, 2004 in Troop E of the 5th Squadron 117th Cavalry as a Helicopter Scout Pilot. Chief Giano’s appointment was based on previous qualifications and experience in the United States Marine Corps. The Chief had been serving as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion 102nd Armor, and was attached to the 1st Soldier Support Battalion. Mister Giano is a Citadel graduate and lives in Flemington. He was pinned during annual Safety Day ceremonies at Fort Dix by BG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, who is also a Citadel graduate.

• CW2 Joseph W. Parsons Jr. received Federal recognition as Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) effective October 10, 2003. Mr. Parsons is a member of Troop D of the 5th Squadron 117th Cavalry as a Scout/Attack Helicopter Aviator and recently completed AH-64 Apache qualification training. Mister Parsons graduated from Initial Entry Rotary Wing School at Fort Rucker, Alabama in November 2002. He is a traditional drilling Guardsman and is attending college to attain an aeronautical degree.

• WO1 Charles W. Hester Jr. received an initial appointment to Warrant Officer One (WO1) on January 13, 2004 upon graduation from Warrant Officer Candidate School in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Mister Hester, a traditional drilling Guardsman, was a former member of Company B of the 250th Forward Support Battalion in Bordentown. Mr. Hester resides in Toms River, is presently assigned to Company A of the 1st Battalion 150th General Support Aviation Battalion as a UH-60 Pilot, and will remain at Fort Rucker, AL to attend Initial Entry Rotary Wing School.

• WO1 Hobart (Bart) Montee Jr. received a direct appointment to Warrant Officer One (WO1) on January 10, 2004 in Troop D of the 5th Squadron 117th Cavalry as an Aviation Life Support Equipment Officer. Mr. Montee’s appointment was based on previous qualifications and experience as a Helicopter Pilot in the NJARNG. WO1 Montee is a traditional drilling Guardsman and resides in Mullica Hill. He is presently attending AH-64 Apache training at the Western Army Aviation Training Site in Arizona.

Chief Curving noted that there has never been a better opportunity for current members of the NJARNG to become Warrant Officers than right now. Current Guard members can further explore Warrant Officer opportunities by calling Chief Curving at (609) 562-0969. Non-members should contact a NJARNG Recruiter for further information.

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.

28 Feb, 1 p.m - 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

27 Mar, 1 p.m. - “The Hidden History of the Antiwar Movement,” an Author Lecture Series presentation by Vietnam-era Veteran H. Bruce Franklin, author of Vietnam and other American Fantasies.

MAJ Denise McCleary, NJ Internal Review Supervisory Auditor, has been nominated and appointed as the new 1st Army Area Representative for the Internal Review Advisory Council. MAJ McCleary will serve a three-year term on the Council, which meets semi-annually. The Council’s other members are Major General Roger P. Lempke, TAG-Nebraska, COL Ted Frandsen, USPFO-Utah, Mr. Walt Morrison, Chief, NGB Internal Review, Mr. Harry Tate, State Internal Review Programs, and five Supervisory Auditors from South Carolina, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Idaho.

The photographs of Master Sergeant Donald Taggart, Master Sergeant Tom Louis, and Senior Airman Andrew J. Merlock, Jr. are featured in the book, Air War Over America. The book, written by Leslie Filson and produced by the 1st Air Force Public Affairs Office, documents the various 1st Air Force units’ response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Air War Over America not only documents the events of that day; it also sheds light on the weeks and months that followed. Additionally, it shows how the air sovereignty role, a mission that after the end of the Cold War had been relegated almost to oblivion, became the number one mission of 1st Air Force. “A few days before September 11, 2001, the future of continental air sovereignty was in serious doubt,” stated Leslie Filson. “That rationale was changed dramatically by the events of September 11th, when the terrorists sent a message that we are no longer safe in our homes,” observed Maj. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Commander, 1st Air Force and the Continental United States NORAD Region. What is unique is that the 177th had highly trained photographers in place that day. From the morning of 9-11, through the dedication of the “Let’s Roll” insignia on the wing’s command aircraft, to the 177th being selected as the first domestic AEF location, the 177th’s team of photographers documented history.

Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey announces Conference dates.

The 31st Annual Conference of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey will be conducted at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey on 8-10 October 2004 (Columbus Day Weekend). Mark your calendars – we hope to see you there.

The Armed Forces Tax Guide explains the benefits provided under the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003, which applies to all active members of the U.S. Armed Forces in a ‘combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area.’ This publication is available online at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3.pdf and may be of assistance to our federally mobilized soldiers, airmen, and their families.

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

19-22 Feb	Tool Show & Sale	Lawrenceville Armory
20-21 Feb	Auction	Cherry Hill Armory
22 Feb	Sports Card & Comics Show	Bordentown Armory
27-28 Feb	High School Wrestling Tournament	Teaneck Armory
29 Feb	NASCAR Collectibles Show	Bordentown Armory

Today is Friday, 20 February 2004 and the 51st day of the year. There are 316 days left in the year. On this day…

• 1792 - U. S. President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act thereby creating the U.S. Post Office.

• 1872 – Silas Noble and J. P. Cooley patented the toothpick-manufacturing machine.

• 1962 – John Glenn made space history when he orbited the world three times aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule. He was the first American to orbit the Earth.

• 1998 – American Tara Lipinski, at age 15, became the youngest gold medallist in winter Olympics history when she won the ladies’ figure skating title at Nagano, Japan.

- At 840,000 square miles, Greenland is the largest island in the world. It is 3 times the size of Texas. By comparison, Iceland is only 39,800 square miles.

- The U.S. Park Service says the older Old Faithful gets, the more the geyser at Yellowstone National Park slows down. In the 1950s, it erupted every 62 minutes. Lately, it’s been erupting every 77 minutes. Some experts say Old Faithful may someday just stop.

- The average depth of the oceans is 2.5 miles. The deepest point lies in the Mariana Trench, 6.8 miles down. By way of comparison, Mount Everest is only 5.5 miles high.