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On Oct. 14, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine visited the National Guard Training Center at Sea Girt for the 23rd Annual Military Review.

With great autumn weather overlooking the Soldiers, Airmen, TAG, DAG, DCVA, distinguished guests, family members and other visitors that dotted the field and bleachers, the ceremony was filled with the pomp and circumstance that goes with a military ceremony.

Three different aircraft from the New Jersey Guard flew over the field, impressing the spectators – a KC-135E Stratotanker from the 108th Air Refueling Wing, a F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 177th Fighter Wing and three UH60A Blackhawks from the 1-150th Aviation.  Giving honors to Gov. Corzine, the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard, was Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery with a Nineteen Gun Salute.  They used antique 105mm salute guns from the Lawrenceville National Guard museum which were made in the 1950’s.

During the ceremony, Gov. Corzine and Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth presented awards to a number of Soldiers, Airmen and civilians.  They included:

Promotion to Major for Donald Abbasi
Promotion to Private 1st Class for Lisa Beard
The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award to Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Thomas, N.J. Air Guard commander
Legion of Merit:  Brig. Gen Frank Carlini, Col. William Rochelle, Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Olson, Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Thomas Jr., Sgt. Maj. Jerome Zebrowski
Meritorious Service Medal: Master Sgt. John Shepherd Jr.
Purple Heart: Sgt. James Alston
New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal: William Lacy
New Jersey Civilian Commendation Medal: Jodi Leslie, Jeff Bloom, Len Mayerson, Eric Spevak

The governor and TAG also participated in the deactivation ceremony on field for the 42nd Division Support Command.

The 63rd Army Band provided music for the prelude, the national anthem and during the Pass in Review, while the Soldiers and Airmen marched past the stage.

Units participating in the Pass in Review were: the 63rd Army Band; 50th Brigade Combat Team; 42nd Regional Support Group; 57th Troop Command; Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery; New Jersey Air National Guard; 108th Air Refueling Wing; 177th Fighter Wing; and Joint Force Headquarters, New Jersey.

WASHINGTON -- The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and leaders of major veterans organizations today called on America's veterans to help kindle a new spark of patriotism on Veterans Day by wearing the medals they earned during military service.

"We are announcing a Veterans Pride Initiative to remind Americans of the pride and honor in the hearts of those who have served," Nicholson said.  "We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security."

The campaign is modeled after a tradition in Australia and New Zealand, countries who honor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on April 25.  ANZAC Day sees veterans wearing their military decorations whatever they are doing on that day.  Nicholson said he hopes a U. S. tradition will ensue to emulate this pride in being a veteran and in honoring our veterans.

VA is offering information about the campaign on its Web page, http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/, where veterans also can obtain information about how to replace mislaid medals and learn how to confirm the decorations to which they are entitled.

The New Jersey State Employees Charitable Campaign (ECC) has officially kicked off its 2006/2007 Campaign which will run until Nov. 24.

The ECC provides each of us with an annual opportunity to voluntarily help others and ourselves by donating to any of the more than 1,400 participating agencies and organizations listed in the ECC Code Book.  Contributions may be made by payroll deductions each year or by cash, or check.

Over the years, our Department has been most successful in this endeavor because of your personal generosity and concern.  We urge every employee to support this worthy cause.  Code Books and payroll deduction forms will be going out to all full time state employees.

This year’s ECC Coordinator for the State’s Employees Charitable Campaign is Walter Nall, of the DMAVA-HRO Office.  For more information, please contact him at 609-530-6841.  You may also access information on line at www.njsecc.org.

Congratulations to the members of the New Jersey National Guard Running (& Athletic) Team.  On October 8, 21 known runners from the NJ Guard participated in the 22nd Annual Army Ten Miler in Washington, D.C.   Of the 24,000 registered runners a total of 15,589 participants crossed the finish line on the sunny fall Sunday in October. 

Of the two competitive teams fielded, the New Jersey Devils Team (Guard Male Competitive Division, Team Captain – Sgt. 1st Class Donald Brandinelli) won their division with a total team time of 5:02:12 in a division of five teams.  Scores are compiled by combining the best four times of team members and our leaders were: Sgt. Anthony Christy, 1:07; Sgt. 1st Class Donald Brandinelli, 1:17; Sgt. 1st Class Michael Parmigiano, 1:18; and Capt. Andrew Lazarchick, 1:19.

The Jersey Guard Morale Team (Guard Mixed Competitive Division, Team Captain – Maj. Jemal J. Beale) placed ninth out of 21 teams with a team time of 5:40:04.  The team leaders were: Sgt. Akeel Gaines, 1:19; Staff Sgt. Garon Lindo, 1:21; Maj. Charles McDonald, 1:24; and Capt. Yvonne Mays, 1:34.  

Several other members of the N.J. Guard were participants of the race with Sgt. Esly Panduro being the overall first place finisher for N.J. Guard members with an impressive time of 1:05:21.  For more information on the N.J. Guard Running team please contact the Team President, Master Sgt. Alex Estrada (deployed), Vice President, Sgt. 1st Class Donald Brandinelli @ Donald.Brandinelli@nj.ngb.army.mil or Treasurer, Maj. Jemal J. Beale @ Jemal.J.Beale@us.army.mil.

The following personnel represented their MSCs/Organizations to round out the weekend.

Veterans – VA New Jersey Health Care and the Trenton Vet Center will provide free medial exams, medical benefits, readjustment services and employment services, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.  Bring your DD Form 214.  The Trenton Vets Center is located at 934 Parkway Ave., Ewing.  If you have any questions, please call 609-882-5744.

The Trenton Vet Center is hosting a Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to noon, at their offices at 934 Parkway Ave., 2nd floor, Ewing.  The guest speakers will be Freeholder Keith Hamilton and Councilman Berth Steinmann.  If you have any questions, please call 609-882-5744.

Family Fun Day at the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy on Fort Dix is a much-anticipated day of cadets reuniting with their families, picnicking and trying their luck with carnival-inspired games.  Parents were overwhelmed with emotion when Family Fun Day began on Saturday, Oct. 14, with their sons and daughters marching into the Willow Pond Park area.  Even though the cadets had only been enrolled in Youth ChalleNGe for five weeks, many parents commented about how much their children had changed and matured in such a short period of time. With more than 700 people in attendance, Family Fun Day served the dual purpose of raising needed funds for equipment and student field trips.  Thank you to the staff members who assisted in the event and most importantly to the families who demonstrated their support by helping to make Family Fun Day a substantial success. 

Spc. Elizabeth Obuobisa of the Joint Force Headquarters’ Human Resource Office was presented a Certificate of Recognition from National Guard Bureau representative Suzette Turpin for management of the National Guard Office of Worker’s Compensation Program (OWCP). Spc. Obuobisa’s management of OWCP resulted in a decrease of Army and Air chargeback costs savings of over $136,000. Her hard work has resulted in less injured New Jersey Guard employees on the OWCP rolls and has catapulted New Jersey National Guard to third place in the nation in bringing injured workers back to work.

September was a sensational month for the Warrant Officer Community. Chief Warrant Officer Five Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the New Jersey Army National Guard congratulates Warrant Officers One Matthew T. Ford of 642nd Division Aviation Support Battalion, Patrick R. Stroud of HHC 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry and the rest of the first graduating class of the Warrant Officer Candidate School-Reserve Component (WOCS-RC), “Rising Eagles.” Welcome into the Warrant Office Community!!

The WOCS-RC is a 9-month course and is conducted at a rate of one class per year. To attend you must be in a technical service MOS, be an E-5 or above and have completed Warrior Leadership Course.

This year’s class graduated 119 soldiers nationwide. Of those graduates, 116 were National Guardsmen and 3 were Reservist. Collectively they completed the course with an Academic Average of 90.91 percent and an APFT average of 241. The Finale kicked off at the Historical Indiana War Memorial inside Pershing Hall in Indianapolis where the 1st graduating class of this course conducted their pinning ceremony.

*  Special thanks to Brig. Gen. Frank Carlini, Col. James J. Grant and Lt. Col. Nicholas Chimienti for attending this event to honor the Rising Eagles.

Studies have found that many workers will struggle to live the life they want in retirement.  Reports claim Americans are simply not saving enough for their individual retirements, yet we are living longer, have access to programs we are not aware of and nearly all employees can benefit from tax-deferred savings.

Oct. 22-28 has been designated National Save for Retirement Week – a time to raise public awareness about the importance of saving for retirement.

New Jersey State Employees Deferred Compensation Plan gives you access to retirement calculators, educational materials – free of charge.  GoalMaker® will give you the investment mix that suits you.  As a current member, you have the opportunity to review your current contributions to ensure it will be enough for when you retire.  For more information, go to www.prudential.com/njsedcp or call toll-free 1-866-NJSSEDCP (1-866-657-3327.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is the month when people become more educated about the signs of breast cancer, its symptoms, and how to prevent it. The pink ribbon, symbolizing the fight against breast cancer, is visible virtually everywhere to raise awareness in both men and women about breast cancer.

FAST FACTS about Breast Cancer:

1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her lifetime.

More than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year.

More than 43,000 women will die from the disease in the United States this year.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women.

It is the second leading cause of cancer death.

50 percent of all invasive breast cancers are diagnosed in women over age 65.

Breast cancer is much more aggressive when it develops in younger women.

Breast cancer also occurs in MEN. In fact, 1 in every 100 breast cancer patients is male.

A woman’s best chance for surviving breast cancer is detecting it early. When found early, the survival rate is 96 percent.

TAKE CHARGE of your Health - Screening Guidelines:

For all women - perform breast self-examination every month. Become familiar with the size, shape and texture of your breasts. In this way, you will be able to notice any changes quickly and alert your physician.

Women between ages 20 and 39 – have a clinical breast examination done yearly by your physician in addition to your monthly self examination.

Women aged 40 and older – yearly mammograms and clinical breast examinations in addition to your monthly self examination.

Risk Reducing Strategies:

Most breast cancers cannot be prevented, but in some cases you can take action to help reduce your risks of developing the disease.

Maintain your ideal weight.

Exercise regularly.

Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Eliminate tobacco use.

Use alcohol in moderation.

Have your breast cancer risk assessed after age 35.

Talk to your doctor about your use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.

Follow the recommended screening guidelines.

On Oct. 18, the Ocean County government and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts are sponsoring a Job Fair.  The event will be held at the Toms River Armory of the New Jersey National Guard, 1200 Whitesville Road, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will include representatives from nearly 50 public and private organizations.  The freeholder board and veteran's bureau are sponsors of the job fair as are the county Workforce Investment Board, the Toms River One-Stop Career Center and the 12 local posts of VFW.  Businesses participating in the job fair are expected to include: United Parcel Service, Home Depot, Norkus Foodtown, Lowes Home Improvement, Perlmutter Shoprite, Sears, WAWA, Ocean County College and Ocean County Vocational Technical School, and others.

The Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans (DV3) in Pennsylvania are having a benefit for one of their members named Curt Steur, a Marine who served two years in Vietnam and has lost his job due to the effects of cancer and treatments.  Curt is a member of the Marine Corps League, The American Legion and the local chapter of the VFW.  The benefit event will be on Oct. 21, 7 p.m. till midnight, at MEI Catering, Bordentown Rd, Tullytown, PA, across from the Tullytown Fire Company. There will be a DJ and a live band, AMBUSH, as well as food and refreshments.  Tickets are $25 and checks for tickets or donations should be made out to “The Curt Steur Foundation”.  Donations can be mailed to 109 Stonybrook Drive, Levittown, PA, home of Dave Pearl, a retired Air Force MSgt and volunteer fireman with the Tullytown Fire Company and his wife Judy.   Tickets can be ordered through Dave (215-669-8430) and Judy (267-229-0915) or they can be bought at the door.

As an ongoing effort to embrace, educate, elevate and celebrate diversity with our employees, please be reminded that the NJ Statewide Cultural Festival is taking place on Sunday, Oct 22.  The event is being held from noon to 6 p.m., at the South Riverwalk Park, River View Plaza, Trenton, N.J. (Above the Route 29 tunnel in Trenton.) Rain venue is the Trenton Thunder baseball stadium.

Visit http://www.state.nj.us/state/secretary/sosoffice/festival.html  or call 609-777-0573 for more details. This event is being hosted by Governor Jon S. Corzine and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. 

Attention everyone – the DMAVA awards program is back on track!

There will be an awards ceremony on Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Lawrenceville armory on the drill floor.  All recipients should report at 10:30 a.m. to the Lawrenceville armory cafeteria.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C., will hold their second annual Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  This open house is for service members, retired military and family members.

Among the special activities for the day are: liberators speaking at various times throughout the day and opportunity to meet survivors who volunteer at the museum.  Families who do not want to take children under the age of 11 to the permanent exhibit will be able to visit, “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story.”

The museum is located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW., Washington, D.C.  Visit www.ushmm.org for more information.

The 112th Field Artillery Association will hold its 2006 Reunion on Nov. 11 and 12.  The dinner and awards presentation will be held at the Lawrenceville National Guard Armory on Nov. 11 from 4-9 p.m.  Cost is $45 per person, $90 per couple.  On Sunday, Nov. 12 there will be a memorial service and concert at the armory at 11 a.m. with a free concert by the 63rd Army Band.

The 50th PSB Family Readiness Group Auxiliary will honor the Soldiers of the 250th Personnel Services Detachment, Headquarters, and Headquarters Company, 50th Personnel Services Battalion currently serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, with a 3.5 mile walk on Saturday, Oct. 21.   The walk will take place at the Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, N.J.  

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. Warm up and walk begin at 9 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by 97.5 FM, The Hawk. Funds raised from the event will be used for holiday gifts for the deployed Soldiers and a homecoming party when they return. For more information or to download a registration form visit www.50thpsb.com/frg.htm.

The New Jersey National Guard Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has officially kicked off its 2006 Campaign which will run until the last week of November 2006.

The CFC provides each of us with an annual opportunity to voluntarily help others and ourselves by donating to the community, national and international level human, health and environmental organizations.  With more than 3,000 human and health service organizations listed in the CFC Catalog, there is certainly at least one cause deserving consideration for your personal contribution.

Contributions may be made via easy payroll deductions each year or by check.

Over the years, our Department has been most successful in this endeavor because of your personal generosity and concern.  We urge every employee to support this worthy cause.  Catalogs and payroll deduction forms will be going out to all full time Federal Technicians and AGRs. 

The CFC Coordinator for this year’s Combined Federal Campaign is Jo Anne Miller, of the J1-HRO Office.  For more information, please call 609-562-0851.

The Guard Booth Telephone Number is 609-671-6623.

Effective immediately all Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Employees that interface with outside personnel for hosting on-site meetings here at the Lawrenceville Headquarters are directed to notify the security guard when expecting scheduled visitors.

You are to provide the date, time and name of the visitor in advance whenever possible, also the DMAVA employee they are visiting and/or meeting they are attending. The Guard will issue a visitors parking permit. If you are expecting a large party for a meeting or event please provide a roster of attendees, with the meeting date time and location to the gate guard prior to the event.

The Enlisted Association of New Jersey has added to their Web Page a new feature called “On-GUARD Business Registry,” designed to list businesses owned by current or former National Guard members, and the goods and services they offer.  If you are a current or former member of the New Jersey Army or Air National Guard, this is a great cost-effective opportunity for your business to reach your fellow National Guard members.  Just go to the Web site: www.eang-nj.org and fill out your application today.

The New Jersey Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.  They perform inland search and rescue missions, aerial reconnaissance for homeland security and disaster relief missions.  CAP has an active cadet program and aerospace education program for young people.  All of the members are unpaid volunteers and must purchase their own uniforms, although CAP does try to provide uniforms for their cadet members without charge to them.

CAP is looking for donations of BDUs (woodland pattern) in wearable condition for use by their members.  They can use pants, shirts, field jackets and caps.  They will also accept Air Force Service Dress uniforms for cadet’s use.

If you have uniforms to donate, please contact Maj. Rick Ulmer, (732)364-7755 or e-mail: caplawyer123@comcast.net.  He will make arrangements for pick-up.

Does your shopping list have either a U.S. Flag or New Jersey flag on it?  One good piece of news – the sales tax hike does not affect that purchase; in fact purchase of either flag is TAX FREE in New Jersey.  Please visit the following web page to check out the particulars: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?flag.htm.

If you are an Army Soldier or DA civilian, you can access more than 2,600 information technology, business, self-development and 30 foreign language courses for FREE through Army e-Learning.  Visit www.us.army.mil and select “my education.”  In Fiscal Year 2006, almost a quarter million courses were completed.  Some of the top 10 courses of the month for July were: Rosetta Stone Spanish and Arabic, Windows XP: Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals and Encryption Technologies.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Hotline is:
1-866-232-5798

You will hear the following message:

You have reached the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Information Number.  Please listen to the following menu choices and select an appropriate option:

State employees – press 1
Federal employees – press 2
National Guard employees – press 3

Are you looking for an affordable vacation spot?  The Armed Forces Recreation Center has resorts around the world for members of the Armed Forces, their families and other members of the Total Defense Force.  Room rates are based on rank, pay grade, duty status, room size and/or room location. Reservations are required, policies vary by location and guests may not stay more than 30 consecutive days or register again within the following 90-day period.  But if you are thinking of Hawaii, Germany, South Korea or Orlando as a possible vacation destination, this just may be the ticket!  Visit http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/  for more information.

Doyle cemetery seeks volunteers

The Cemetery is working toward designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. We are enlisting the support of community volunteers for Outreach & Education. Scouting Groups, Veteran Service Organizations, Youth Groups, and other interested individuals are encouraged to contact Iven C. Dumas 1st Sgt, USMC (Ret) Assistant Superintendent, at 609- 758-7250 ext. 17 or by e-mail at Iven.Dumas@njdmava.state.nj.us.

The Joint Training and Development Center (JT2DC) recently unveiled the Memorial Walkway to the center.  The purpose of the pond and walkway are to serve as a reminder that there are Soldiers in harm’s way protecting the freedoms that we all cherish and enjoy.

The concept of the Memorial Walkway was to have Soldiers create a mark by dedicating inscribed bricks.  Soldiers have chosen to honor loved ones, family members, friends, and personnel with whom they served.

Anyone interested in purchasing an engraved paver for $50, can contact Command Sgt. Major Timothy Maskery at (609) 562-0539.

Membership
Give our state a larger voice by becoming a member of the Enlisted Association.  The increased numbers will help us speak on all legislative issues that will benefit you and your families. The association works hard for you at the Federal & State level on all important issues. Visit the web site EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what the association does.

Conference
The Enlisted Association invites you to the Annual Conference at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Atlantic City West, October 6-8, 2006, to Honor and Salute our Airmen and Soldiers who supported the War on Terrorism. Saturday during the Military Ball will be our way to say thank you for their dedication and sacrifices that they and their families shared. Friday night will feature a Hawaiian luau with a show and an Army and Air challenge. Our mission is to have fun. Visit our web site EANG-NJ.org, click on EANG-NJ Conference to find out more. Thank you for your support. You can reach the membership chairman Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or jcptfalc@aol.com or co-chairman Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972 or esgtmaj@comcast.net.

For the Families

The Guard Family Action Plan (GFAP) identifies issues of concern to Guard members, spouses, parents, children, retirees and civilian employees.  The GFAP determines actions necessary to resolve issues and assigns responsibility for actions to the proper staff agency. 

The proper staff agency begins at unit level within the chain of command and can include the Departments of the Army and Air Force and the Congress of the United States.  You can submit an issue along with your recommendation for a solution through the GFAP website at www.gfap.org. If you have any questions, you can call Marie Durling in the State Family Programs Office at 609-562-0739.

Family Programs on the calendar

Bordentown Armory – B Co 250th SBF & Co D 250th BSB – Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Hammonton Armory – 119th SB Corps –
Jersey City Armory – D Co 2-113th –
Lawrenceville Armory – 50th PSB –.; 50th Fin Bn –
Morristown Armory – 3-112th & 5/117th –
Newark Armory – A, B, E Co’s 2-113th Inf – Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
Port Murray Armory – 2-102nd Arm –
Teaneck Armory – 50th SBM – Nov. 16, 7 p.m.
Toms River Armory – C/3-112th FA –
Vineland Armory – 5/117th Cav –
West Orange Armory – B Co 5/117th Cav –
Woodbury Armory – Trp C 5.117th Cav –

Recreation and Sports

Anheuser Busch has announced its program offering free amusement park tickets to the service members and their families has become so popular it will be extended another year. The "Here's to the Heroes," is open to active duty service members, active members of the National Guard or Reserve, and up to three direct dependents for one complimentary admission per year. Participants can go online to fill out a form for free admission at http://www.herosalute.com/.

The amusement parks participating in the program are: Sea World  parks in Orlando, Florida; San Diego and San Antonio;  Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia; Sesame Place, a children's play and water park, near Philadelphia; Adventure Island water park in Tampa; and Water Country USA water park in Williamsburg. 

Operation Oasis Outreach at Sandy Cove, North East, Md., offers a free, 3-day, 2-night time for rest and relaxation for military personnel who were deployed to the Middle East area during OIF/OEF with their spouse and children.  Sandy Cover is located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.  If you are interested, contact Carol Lee Lynch: toll free 1-800-287-4843 or e-mail c.lynch@sandycove.org.

Applications for the 2006 Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, held each year at Island Beach State Park, are now available. Early registrants save on adult registration fees, are eligible for special prizes offered to pre- registrants and avoid delays - pre-registration ensures timely entry to the park.

The tournament will be held Sunday, October 1. Fishing begins at 6:30am. A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament, and there are winners in male, female, teen and child categories. Don't miss this exciting family event!

For more information and a link to the application form visit:
http://www.njfish andwildlife.com/gsft.htm on the NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife website.

The Freedom Riders “Support Our Troops” Motorcycle Run is scheduled for October 14, 2006 (October 15 – Rain date).  Proceeds benefit the Freedom Alliance Foundation providing:  Educational scholarships to the children of American’s Military Heroes that have given the Ultimate Sacrifice; pre-paid long-distance phone cards, gift cards for clothing, food, toiletries, books and magazines for the injured in our hospital; and funding for family members to travel to see and encourage their loved one.

For registration and information on the run go to:  www.citikids.org/freedom.htm

Scholarship News

Grantham University scholarships: Grantham University offers a scholarship program to severely injured service members and their spouses and adult children.  Go to www.grantham.edu for more information.  They also have scholarship programs for military veterans, service members, and family members.

Widener University CARES Scholarship: Widener University, Chester, Pa., has a full scholarship program for children of Global War on Terrorism service members who were killed in action.  Contact the Office of Admissions at 610-499-4126 for more information.

Veterans Information

The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey.  The schedule is as follows:

The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the identified dates.

StandDown helps the state’s homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets by providing a broad range of necessities, including food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling, and referrals, but most importantly, companionship and camaraderie.

We are looking for committee members to initiate the start up operation of Stand Down in the Central Jersey area.  Membership is open to Veterans and volunteers over the age of 18 who are willing and able to give of their time, efforts and resources in assisting programs for homeless veterans. 

If you are interested in becoming a committee member, you may contact Patricia Richter at 609-530-6949.

Veterans having questions about recent incidents involving VA computers and personal information may call 1-800-333-4636 or (1-800-FED-INFO).

Ocean County veterans now have a place to get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling.  Once a week, counselors from the Trenton Vet Center will offer office hours at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, 1027 Hooper Ave, Building 2, Toms River.

To schedule an appointment, call 732-929-2096.

Ocean County, with the state’s largest concentration of veterans, signed an agreement with the Vets Center, an arm of the Veterans Administration recently. 

John Dorrity, director of the Ocean County Veterans Bureau said that he has a waiting list of veterans who will participate in the counseling. He added that they will start off with once a week, but will possibly increase sessions if the need arises.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 4 / 1 p.m. "Women at War: The Story of Fifty Military Nurses Who Served in Vietnam," book discussion by the author, Elizabeth Norman.

Nov. 11 / 11 a.m. Veterans Day ceremony in the courtyard of the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

Nov. 30 / 6 p.m. 4th Annual "Salute to Patriotism" Gala, with special guest Governor Jon S. Corzine; honoring veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  Tickets required. (click here for more information:http://www.njvvmf.org/pdf/galasponsorlevels.pdf)

Dec. 2 / 1 p.m. "The Day It Snowed in Vietnam," poetry reading and discussion by the poet, Vietnam Veteran Jim Scheuckler.

Dec. 9 / 6 p.m. Holiday Lighting ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033.  A donation of $5 per person is suggested.  The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 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.

For more information, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033 or (800) 648-VETS.  The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116. 

Located at 934 Parkway Ave, 2nd Floor, Ewing, N.J., the Department of Veteran Affairs, Trenton Vet Center, provides free readjustment counseling services to combat zone veterans and their families.

The Vet Center services include:

· Individual readjustment counseling
· Group readjustment counseling
· Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Counseling for PTSD
· Substance Abuse counseling
· Marital and family counseling
· Sexual Trauma counseling    
· Community education and liaison
· Referral for benefits assistance
· Employment Assistance

Heading the Trenton Vet Center Staff is James Gordon, team leader.  Other staff at the center to help veterans and their families are Jeanne Morrison, Master Social Worker, Rawle Gaskin, Readjustment Counseling Therapist, Darryll Johnson, Readjustment Counseling Technician and Burnice Rice, Trenton Vet Center Office Manager.

The center is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday extended hours by appointment only.

All services provided to veterans and their families are at no cost and clients’ rights are protected by HIPPA.  For more information call (609) 882-5744.

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 SGM Edward Goetschius, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, at 609-530-7090 or by e-mail at Edward.goetschius@nj.ngb.army.mil.

Oct. 20 – National Brandied Fruit Day
Oct. 21 – Babbling Day, Sweetest Day
Oct. 22 – National Nut Day
Oct. 23– National Mole Day, Mother-in-Law Day
Oct. 24 – National Bologna Day
Oct. 25 – Punk for a Day Day
Oct. 26 – Mule Day

Some facts about the New England states:

• - Hummingbirds are the only animals able to fly backwards
• - All porcupines float in water.
• - Giraffes have no vocal cords.
• - A cat has 32 muscles in each ear
• - Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
• - A donkey will sink in quicksand but a mule won't.
• - Crickets hear through their knees.
• - During WWII, Americans tried to train bats to drop bomb.