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NJ Dept of Military and
Veterans Affairs

Maj Gen Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General

Brig Gen Maria Falca-Dodson
Deputy Adjutant General

Col (Ret) Stephen G. Abel
Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs

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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:
branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!
http://www.nj.gov/military

Veterans’ Organizations
Contact Information

State Veterans Service Council
Mr. Richard Clark
RJClark21@msn.com

NJ Advisory Committee for Women Veterans
Mrs. Anna Hoffman
hoffmanannem@aol.com

BG Willam C. Doyle Cemetery Advisory Council
Mr. William Rakestraw
warjrnj@msn.com

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New Jersey Freedom Loans

What is a Freedom Loan?

* Up to $10,000

* Annual APR 6%

* Term: 5 years (no pre-payment penalty)

* Unsecured Loan (no collateral required)

Who is eligible to apply?

NJ residents who are:

* Members of the National Guard or Reserve

* Mobilized for one year or longer to fight in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) – excluding routine training.

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.

* Guardmembers, Reservists, or family members with Power of Attorney must submit copies of current mobilization orders with the bank’s Freedom Loan application.

Current participants:

Commerce Bank
1-888-751-9000

Credit Union of NJ
609-538-4061, ext. 401

First Morris Bank & Trust
1-888-530-2265

Fleet
1-800-841-4000

Manasquan Savings Bank
732-223-4450

North Jersey Federal
Credit Union
1-888-78NJFCU

Peapack-Gladstone Bank
(908) 719-BANK

Pennsville National Bank
856-678-6006

PNC
1-866-PNC-4USA

Sovereign Bank
1-877-391-6365

Sun National Bank
1-800-691-7701

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Bank of America (Fleet Bank) is undergoing a system-wide change in their loan offerings and will no longer offer the New Jersey Freedom Loan.

Armed Forces Day
21 May 2005

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Days. The one day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department – the Department of Defense.

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Interesting Statistics...

On average, a person laughs about 15 times a day.

A recent survey showed that 75% of women make their bed every day. Only 45% of men perform this daily chore.

It is estimated that the American male, during his lifetime, will spend 3,500 hrs. shaving.

There are 31,536,000 seconds in a year.

Roughly 75% of a living tree is composed of water.

A “hairbredth away” is 1/48 of an inch.

According to a Gallup poll, 24% of American workers would fire their boss, if they could.

DMVA and the NJ Army National Guard participated in taping a Public
Service Announcement.

DMVA and the NJ Army National Guard participated in taping a Public Service Announcement with the NJ Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday, 18 May 2005. Attorney General Peter Harvey and Brig Gen Maria Falca-Dodson participated along with comedian/actor Joe Piscopo.

Following a one-hour event with speakers. Soldiers from B Battery, 3/112th FA, who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, recorded messages to be aired prior to election season. There are three target audiences: the general public; soldiers deployed overseas, and the NJ veterans community. Each message has its own style, but the bottom line is “Do your part – Get out and VOTE!

Non-Commissioned Officers graduate Satellite NCO Academy Program.

On 13 May 2005, nine members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, one member of Joint Force Headquarters – Air, and one member of the 177th Fighter Wing graduated from the Air National Guard Satellite NCO Academy Program. The 17-week program utilizes the Air National Guard Warrior Network downlink to classrooms across the nation. The last two weeks are in-residence at the Air National Guard Professional Military Education Center in Knoxville, TN. The course curriculum helps prepare NCOs with the leadership and management skills needed in today’s military. Graduates from the 108th ARW were: TSgt Joyce Baker, TSgt Michael Blue, TSgt Joseph Downey, TSgt Rhodetta Grasty, TSgt Valentino Lopez, Jr., TSgt Jennifer Noble-Slaton, Distinguished Graduate, TSgt Antonio Pagan Sr., TSgt Thomas Revak III, and SSgt Brian Naldzin. Two other graduates were TSgt Diane Hess, Joint Force Headquarters-Air, and SSgt Christopher Mock of the 177th Fighter Wing.

Congratulations to these dedicated NCOs for successfully completing this very demanding course.

Military Equal Opportunity Office (MEO) member teaches course in Florida.

A military equal opportunity NCO from McGuire Air Force Base went to Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, to teach a three-week Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI).

TSgt Lisel D. White, a member of the 108th Air Refueling Wing Military Equal Opportunity Office, went down to Patrick for the second time to teach Army and Air National Guard and Reserve members in the Reserve Component Course (RCC) at the DEOMI there. The DEOMI is chartered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to provide Equal Opportunity (EO) training to all Department of Defense members, civilian and military. TSgt White was selected by her initial EO instructor as one of two students in each EO class that has the chance to come back to teach the course. For three weeks, TSgt White taught a diverse group of students about various EO topics such as perceptions, cross-cultural communication, institutional discrimination and diversity itself. Service members of all ranks, ethnicities, and genders took part in her class, punctuating the importance of the training.

177th Fighter Wing hosts Career Day.

The Recruiting and Retention Staff along with shops from the four major groups that make up the Wing hosted a career for six local schools. More than 150 students from Paulsboro, Bridgeton, Brick Township, Central Regional, and Gloucester County Institute of Technology were on hand for the day’s events. The students were greeted by the Wing Commander, Colonel Brian Webster, and then briefed by MSgt David Diaz, Recruiting Office Supervisor on the benefits of serving in the New Jersey Air National Guard. The students were then escorted to the Maintenance Hangar where they had the opportunity to see up close an F-16 jet and speak one-on-one with a pilot and maintenance technician about the aircraft and its capabilities. The students also received briefings and or demonstrations from our Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, Fire Department, Munitions, Engine Shop, Life Support, Egress, AGE, AIS/ECM and Weapons Load Shops. The day will culminate with lunch at the 177th Fighter Wing. This annual event has proven to be a great recruiting and retention tool for the 177th Fighter Wing.

NJ Department of Labor teams up with Teaneck Family Assistance Center.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is teaming up with the Teaneck Family Assistance Center to provide all soldiers returning from deployment with the necessary information and tools to easily re-integrate into society. The Re-employment Opportunities briefing given by MSG (Ret) John Bautz will be held at the Teaneck Armory every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this briefing, contact MSG (Ret) Bautz at 201-996-8950 or email john.bautz@dol.state.nj.us.

Sandy Cove offers a free stay for our military members & families at Operation Oasis on Chesapeake Bay.

Operation Oasis is an outreach program developed to offer a time of rest and renewal to military personnel involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Located in North East, Maryland, at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, Operation Oasis offers a free 3-day, 2-night time of rest and relaxation. It is a thank you to those who seek to secure and sustain our freedom. Simply contact Carol Lee Lynch by email at c.lynch@sandycove.org or by phone at 800-287-4843 for additional information. You can also visit the website www.sandycove.org for a more detailed description of the facility.

Steve Braun Baseball Camp available FREE for children of deployed soldiers and airmen.

Former Major League Baseball player and retired Trenton Thunder coach, Steve Braun, has offered to conduct a summer baseball camp on Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 July 2005. The two-day camp is provide free to children of New Jersey National Guard soldiers or airmen who are, or have been, deployed overseas during the Global War on Terrorism. Boys and girls, ages 7-16, are invited to apply through their respective Family Assistance Centers or by calling 1-888-859-0352. The first day of the camp will kick off at 8:30 a.m. (Children should arrive at 8:00 a.m.) with a short parade to the playing fields adjacent to the Lawrence Township Intermediate School. Parents should park in the school parking lot. The day will include batting, base running, and field position training by Steve Braun and his professional coaching staff. On Saturday, campers will have a hot dog and soda picnic for lunch and the first day of camp will end around 4 p.m. On Sunday, the camp will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. At 12 noon, on buses donated by the Stires Bus Company, the campers will travel to Waterfront Park and receive free admission to the Trenton Thunder game (parents are invited to attend the game at their own expense). Campers should bring money for food or snacks at the game on Sunday. Buses will return the campers to the playing fields at the conclusion of the game for pick-up and transport back home. So get ready to have some good old-fashioned fun playing baseball this summer and have the chance to train with the pros. “Batter Up!”

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Dedication -

The New Jersey National Guard will dedicate the Global War on Terrorism Memorial on Saturday, 28 May 2005, at 2 p.m. The ceremony will honor the fallen heroes of the New Jersey National Guard, and will take place at the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 101 Eggert Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony! Uniform: Army – Class A, Air Force – Service Dress.

Part-time opportunities in Military Funeral Honors Program.

The New Jersey Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program has several part-time employment opportunities immediately available across the state for TDGs and Technicians. Earn one day’s base pay and one retirement point for a few hours work providing Military Funeral Honors for our Veterans. If you are interested, please contact SFC Raymond Denson, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, at 609-530-7090 or by e-mail at Raymond.Denson@nj.ngb.army.mil.

7th Annual Unity Day

“Come Share Your Heritage with Us.” On Thursday, 9 June 2005, the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Joint Force Headquarters will hold it’s 7th Annual Unity Day at Building 3650, Fort Dix, NJ. This event is held to enhance cross-cultural awareness and promote harmony among all members of the New Jersey National Guard, and to recognize the contributions of women and minorities. This combined effort of Army and Air, State and Federal, community members and members of both Team McGuire and the Fort Dix Post contribute to the different ethnic and Special Emphasis groups being represented. If you are interested in participating by putting up a display, please contact Kathey McCready, State Equal Employment Manager at 609-562-0854.

“Freedom Salute” – Soldiers, it’s easy to nominate someone!

The Freedom Salute campaign is designed to recognize those who support Soldier’s service and veterans who have served the country in the past. Individuals nominated will receive an “Army of One” lapel pin, an official Army decal a letter of appreciation signed by the Army Chief of Staff, and a letter of thanks signed by the Chief of Staff and the Secretary. It’s easy to nominate someone. Soldiers should simply visit the website: http://freedomteamsalute.army.mil and submit the names of those individuals who are supporting our military.

Attention Veterans – Veterans Information Fair

A Veterans Information Fair, sponsored by the NJ Department of Labor in cooperation with Essex & Hudson County Workforce Development One Stop Services, will be held on Wednesday, 25 May 2005, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nutley Parks and Recreation Building, 84 Park Avenue, Nutley, New Jersey. Some of the agencies represented will be: Bloomfield & Jersey City Veterans Employment Services, Federal Bonding Program (NJDOL), VA Medical Administration Services, Small Business Association, the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NJDOL).

Services provided will include: free medical screening, NJ Veterans Programs, training opportunities, employment placement and services, vendor licensing, bus passes, small business loans and entrepreneurship.

Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies.

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

Support the Troops

Here are some of the activities and fundraisers planned in support of our deployed troops and their families:

Packing Day at Somerset Armory – Sunday, 15 May 2005. If you are preparing a package for shipment to a soldier, mark 15 May on your calendar. There will be a Packing Day at the Somerset Armory. All you have to do is get the things together that you will be sending your soldier and call the Armory at 888-859-0352 to ensure your name is on the reservation list.

Bowling for the Troops – Sunday, 22 May 2005 – Colonial Lanes in Lawrenceville. The American Legion Post 414, Sons of the American Legion, and Colonial Lanes will host “Bowling for the Troops” on Sunday, 22 May 2005, from noon until 5 p.m. at Colonial Lanes, 2420 Brunswick Avenue (US Rt. 1), Lawrenceville, NJ. Interested in bowlers will be asked to sign-up sponsors ahead of time to make pledges. All proceeds will benefit the National Guard Family Assistance Program.

West Orange to honor and support NJ Air National Guard troops – 30 May 2005. The Township of West Orange is holding a luncheon fundraiser to support the NJ Air National Guard Family Readiness Council, in conjunction with its annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 30, 2005. Since 1999, the municipality’s annual event has included the awarding of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to qualifying local combat veterans. To honor this year’s twenty recipients, and in support of our troops in the field, a luncheon will follow. Tickets are $50 per person and may be obtained by sending your check (payable to VFW Post 376) to the Mayor’s Office, 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052. Additional information may be obtained by calling 973-325-4205.

Mealey’s Furniture to donate 3 rooms of new future to a needy military member on Memorial Day. Do you know someone who is or has served Active Duty in the US military and is now in need? Mealey’s would like to thank them for their service by giving them three complete rooms of furniture. Entry forms can be found in any of Mealey’s three stores or online at www.mealeysfurniture.com. All nominations will be reviewed and selection will be made on June 30th.

Sign up for a chance to send your solider Dunkin Donuts coffee. Dunkin Donuts will send a case of free coffee to your soldier if he/she is among the 50 selected in a monthly lottery. Just go to dunkindonuts.com, click on “About Us,” click on “Contact Us,” click on “Instore Visits,” fill out the form, in the comments section put the soldier’s rank, name and APO address, and say that you would like to send your soldier coffee. Then click “Submit.” You can mail a request to Dunkin Brands, 130 Royall Street, Camton, MA 02021, Attention Customer Care or request the coffee by phone at 781-737-3000 (Customer Relations).

Operation Uplink. Visit http://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm to request free phone cards for active duty military personnel deployed away from home. At this site you can fill out a request for a phone card to be sent to yourself or a loved one. One card per request per servicemember will be honored during a 60-day period.

Gifts from the Homefront. The “Gifts from the Homefront” program was begun last year by the Army and Air Force and enables people from all walks of life to rally around America’s troops by purchasing gift certificates designed to lift the morale of deployed troops around the world. The certificates, which can be purchased by any individual or civic organization, allow service members to purchase items of necessity and convenience at PX and BX facilities around the world. “Gifts from the Homefront” certificates can be addressed to “any service member” or individual service members. Because the gift certificates can be use for merchandise already stocked at contingency locations, “Gifts from the Homefront” are a safe alternative to traditional care packages that can strain the military mail system and present force protection issues. Those wishing to send a “Gift from the Homefront” can simply log on to the AAFES website, www.aafes.com, or call 877-770-4438 toll-free to buy gift certificates in $10 or $20 denominations. From there, the “Gift from the Homefront” may be sent toan individual service member designed by the purchaser or distributed to “any service member” through the USO, American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society, or Fisher House.

Operation Mail Call. Operation Mail call is a program initiated by New Jersey Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway that enables citizens to donate postage stamps for use by our troops and their families. Over 23,000 stamps have been donated to our National Guard soldiers and airmen and Family Readiness Programs. If you would like to participate, please mail or drop off your postage stamps to the 7th Legislative District Office, Delran Professional Center, 8008 Route 130 North, Suite 125, Delran, NJ 08075.

American Hero Band - The American Hero Band is a free wristband worn by Americans to demonstrate their support of the “Defenders of Freedom” who are Army National Guard soldiers deployed across the globe. Engraved on the metallic wristband are the words IN HONOR OF AN AMERICAN HERO SERVING IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. These words are flanked left by the Army National Guard logo and right by the American flag. There is also an inscription of the National Guard website, http://www.virtualarmory.com and a unique serial number engraved inside this commemorative wristband. If you are interested in getting The American Hero Band, go to http://www.virtualarmory.com and click on the American Hero Band banner.

112th Field Artillery schedules Memorial Day Services.

On Monday, 30 May 2005, at 1100 hours, the 112th Field Artillery Association will conduct their annual Memorial Day services at the Lawrenceville Armory on Eggert Crossing Road. A 21-round cannon salute will be provided by Battery B 3rd Battalion NJ National Guard. All are invited to attend.

Armory Happenings – Listed below are events taking place at your local armory.

Open House – 21 May 2005 - National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt – 250th Forward Support Battalion. An Open House will be held this Saturday, 21 May at the 250th Forward Support Battalion, Building 35, National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt. There will be equipment displays, medical displays and demonstrations, and DARE displays – complete with helicopter!

Open House – Toms River Armory - An Open House is scheduled at the Toms River Armory on Saturday, June 18, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be historical displays from the Revolutionary Wary to Operation Iraqi Freedom. For the children, there will be Hummer rides, camouflage face painting, paintball targets and a balloon grenade toss.

The purpose of the Open House is to inform the public about the Toms River Armory and let them know it is available for rent. Additionally, the open house will provide the NJ National Guard recruiters a change to support The Adjutant General’s policy on “Strength Management.”

Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans will present Flag Memorial and other events to honor veterans (10-12 June 2005).

The Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans will present the 20th Annual Donald W. Jones Flag Memorial on 10 June 2005. The Memorial consists of 58,000 American flags, each placed in the ground by someone who cares, for every American soldier killed or missing in action in Vietnam. The flags will create a Memorial in the shape and exact size of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The event will be held at the Falls Township Community Park, 9070 Mill Creek Road, Levittown, PA (Rain or Shine) and will begin at 9 a.m.

On Saturday, 11 June 2005, there will be a free Freedom, Blues & Rock concert that will begin at 11 a.m. and feature the following bands: Ambush, Ergo, Hellbound Blues Band, Jekyl’s Hyde, Last Call, Legend, Mikey Junior, The Seven Band, Sister Blue, and Sweet Medicine. A fireworks display will be held at dusk. The concert and fireworks will be held at the Falls Township Park, Mill Creek Road, Levittown, PA 19054. On Sunday, 12 June 2005, a motorcycle rally will depart Bristol Township Municipal Building, 2501 Bath Road, Levittown, PA at 12:30 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please all Shotgun Willie at 267-784-2282. The Honors Ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.

Fitness Corner – Ernie Razzano, Certified Fitness Trainer

Eat Your Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and beta-carotene also promotes good vision – especially night vision.

After beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the liver, it travels to the retina where it is transformed into rhodposin – a purple pigment that is necessary for night-vision. Plus, beta-carotene’s powerful antioxidant actions help provide protection against macular degeneration and the development of senile cataracts – the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

Carrots are by far one of the richest sources of carotenoids. High carotenoid intake has been linked with a 20% decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer and an up to 50% decrease in the incidence of cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus. Extensive human studies suggest that a diet including as little as one carrot per day could conceivably cut the rate of lung cancer in half.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center’s upcoming event schedule.

On Saturday, 14 May 2005, at 1:00 p.m., the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will host an author lecture by Vietnam Veteran Paul Drew about his book, Jenny 4, a novel about a GI’s experience in the Vietnam War. Paul Drew, of Spring Lake Heights, NJ, was drafted into the Army at age 19, and from 1966 to 1967 he served as a combat infantry squad leader in Vietnam. Jenny 4 is the story of a Vietnam War draftee who, amid the horrors, the atrocities, and the obscenity of war, discovers basic human goodness.” Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to 732-335-0033. A donation of $5 per person is suggested.

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 open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission is free for veterans and active duty military personnel. Regular adult admission is $4; student and senior citizen admission is $2; and children under 10 are admitted free. The Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116.

Retirement Receptions planned.

Several lucky employees will be retiring in the very near future. Listed below is the information on their planned receptions/dinners.

Today in History

Today is Friday the 20th of May 2005. It is the 140th day of the year with 225 days remaining.

1506 – Christopher Columbus died in poverty.

1775 – North Carolina became the first colony to declare its independence.

1830 – H.D. Hyde patented the fountain pen.

1874 – Levi Strauss began marketing blue jeans with copper rivets.

1927 – Charles Lindbergh took off from New York to cross the Atlantic for Paris aboard his airplane the “Spirit of St. Louis.” The trip took 33 ½ hours.

1932 - Amelia Earhart took off to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She became the first woman to achieve the feat.

1939 – The first regular air-passenger service across the Atlantic Ocean began with the take-off of the “Yankee Clipper” from Port Washington, New York.

1978 – Mavis Hutchinson, at age 53, became the first woman to run across America.

1990 – The Hubble Space Telescope sent back its first photographs.

Call today to volunteer at a Family Readiness Center near you.

If you are able to assist the families of our deployed soldiers and airmen, please call our Family Readiness Center at our toll-free number 888-859-0352.

Thought for the week:

"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music. The world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls, and interesting people. Forget yourself."

.. Henry Miller

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