Governor McGreevey addresses departing troops at farewell ceremony held at Trenton War Memorial this week.
Friends and family joined Governor James E. McGreevey and BG Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General, as the New Jersey National Guard held a farewell ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial on 18 May 2004 to honor more than 300 of New Jersey’s Citizen soldiers, who will be deployed to support the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai Desert. Governor James E. McGreevey and BG Glenn K. Rieth addressed the troops and expressed gratitude for the sacrifice and commitment of the Guard members and their families. The departing troops include members of 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry from Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Woodbury, A Company from Mount Holly, B & D Company from Freehold, C Company from Burlington City, and E Company from Atlantic City. Our thoughts and prayers go with them!

NJ Army and Air National Guard celebrate National Guard Day.
The New Jersey Army and Air National Guard celebrated National Guard Day on 17 May 2004. Governor James E. McGreevey issued a Gubernatorial Proclamation honoring the New Jersey National Guard. At the State House in downtown Trenton, displays, information booths, and a number of Army and Air National Guard personnel shared information with the public on the many, diverse federal and state missions the Guard serves. Many of New Jersey’s Army and Air National Guard personnel are now serving on the front lines of the ongoing war against terrorism, supporting Homeland Security missions, and serving the people of our great state and nation.

Military Officers Association Donates $1,000 Check to the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Cemetery Memorialization Fund.
On 20 May 2004, Colonel (Ret) Stephen G. Abel, Director of the Division of Veterans Services, accepted a donation of $1,000 from Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Raymond Russell on behalf of the Military Officers Association at Ft. Dix. The donation will support the initiative for two monument projects as part of the Cemetery's Expansion and Improvement Program.

Vietnam Veterans honored at Medal Ceremony.
COL Robert E. Watson, Commander, 254th Regiment, presented the New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal to 69 veterans at a ceremony held on Wednesday, 19 May 2004, at American Legion Post 99 in Kearny, New Jersey. Mrs. Patricia Richter, Chief of the Veterans Benefits Bureau (VBB), served as Mistress of Ceremony, and was assisted by VBB employees, Karen Hansen and Michele Johnson, Mr. Moise Abraham, Essex/Union County VSO, and Ms. Edna Jones, Hudson County VSO.

Beach at Sea Girt opens this weekend.
Get out the sunscreen and beach blankets. Today marks the opening of the beach at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt. Hours of operation are: 0800 to 1900 hours. From now until 21 June, lifeguards will be on duty “Weekends Only.” From 21 June through Labor Day, lifeguards will be on duty seven days a week. The beach will close for the season on 30 September 2004. Employees wishing to obtain a beach pass should contact Gail Miller at gail.miller@njdmava.state.nj.us.

New Jersey National Guard opens Family Assistance Center.
On Friday, 14 May 2004, the NJ National Guard opened its eighth Family Assistance Center at the National Guard Armory in Woodbury. The Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, addressed the over 300 family members, soldiers, volunteers, local elected officials, community representatives, veterans’ organizations, and senior members of the NJ Army and Air National Guard. General Rieth thanked everyone for their support of the families of the deploying soldiers of the 1/114th Infantry BN in Woodbury. He remarked that this Center would be a focal point for the families of deploying soldiers over the weeks and months ahead. It will provide the links to needed services throughout the region that will help sustain our families during this historic deployment. Mayor Leslie Clark of Woodbury noted that it was wonderful to have such a great center in her town. She pledged to lead the community in working to support the center and prepare for the Unit’s safe return. The Grand Lodge of NJ (Masons) presented a framed print of The Prayer at Valley Forge to the Center. Heather Altman is the Coordinator of the Woodbury FAC, which will also support the Vineland, Hammonton, and Cherry Hill Armories.

USPFO-NJ happenings.
The USPFO-NJ Purchasing & Contracting Division continues to support various unit mobilizations throughout the New Jersey Army National Guard. The P&C division has contracted for over $200,000 in supplies and services in the past 45 days.

Ms. Bonnie Cunningham and her Military Pay Processing Team continue to provide outstanding support to New Jersey Army National Guard mobilizing units. The Military Pay Processing Team conducted mobilization support for Co C, 2450th Signal Battalion in Somerset and HHC, 250th Signal Battalion in Westfield.

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

The Pentagon Channel now available at military bases 24 hrs. a day.
The Pentagon Channel, which previously existed as an information channel within the Pentagon, will now be distributed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to all military installations in the United States via domestic satellite and overseas through the American Forces Radio and Television service. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal Communications, Allison Barber, explained that military members – both in the United States and overseas – felt that they had adequate access to general news and information, but not enough access to military news. It is also important for Department of Defense (DoD) leaders to be able to talk directly to the military audience, especially members of the Guard and Reserve and their families, who are the most isolated from DoD news and information. Pentagon Channel programming also will include top-of-the-hour news updates, broadcasts of the flagship television news magazine programs from each of the services, and DoD news briefings from the Pentagon and around the world.

North Jersey Federal Credit Union joins the Freedom Loan Program.
The North Jersey Federal Credit Union joined the growing list of financial institutions that are participating in the New Jersey Freedom Loan Program. Their toll free number is 1-888-78NJFCU.

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.

Memorial Day Ceremony and Monument Dedication scheduled at the BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
The 2004 Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Saturday, the 29th of May at 11 a.m. at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover Township. The parade of New Jersey Veterans Organizations will pass in review at 10:30 a.m.

At the conclusion of the Memorial Day activities, a special ceremony will be conducted to dedicate the latest addition to the Memorial Walkway, a beautiful monument. From the National Guard and the Enlisted Associations of New Jersey. The monument is dedicated to those brave men and women who have placed their lives on the line to defend our State and Nation’s honor and freedom.

Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies.
The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State’s veterans.

Pancake Breakfast to benefit the troops.
A Pancake Breakfast will be held at the American Legion Post 414, Berwyn Place, Lawrenceville, on 6 June 04 from 7:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. All proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to the Family Assistance Program for those families of OUR SOLDIERS participating in Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Mobilizations. Tickets are $6. For further information, call 609-989-9162 or 609-771-4143. Come out and support our troops and their families by supporting this event.

112th Field Artillery Association plans Memorial Day Service.
The 112th Field Artillery Association has scheduled its annual Memorial Day service for Monday, 31 May 2004, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Artillery Armory located at 151 Eggert Crossing Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Everyone is invited to join in honoring all who given their utmost for their country, and to those who serve today. The ceremony will include a 21 round cannon salute.

Today in History…
Today is Friday, 21 May 2004 and the 142nd day of the year. There are 225 days left in the year. On this day…

* 1602 – Martha’s Vineyard was first sighted by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold.

* 1819 – Bicycles were first seen in the U.S. in New York City. They were originally known as “swift walkers.”

* 1881 – Clara Barton founded the American branch of the Red Cross.

* 1908 – First horror movie (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) premieres in Chicago.

* 1927 – Charles A. Lindberg completed the first solo nonstop airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

* 1932 – Amelia Earhart completes the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman.

* 1956 – The U. S. exploded the first airborne hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean over Bikini Atoll.

* 1968 – U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Scorpion, with 99 men aboard, was last heard from. The remains of the sub were later found on the ocean floor 400 miles off the Azores.

* 1992 – New Jersey Senate overrides Governor Florio’s veto and lowers the sales tax to 6%.

A few interesting facts about New Jersey –
* New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

* North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25-square-mile radius.

* New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for Water Quality Control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

* New Jersey is a leading technology and industrial state, and is the largest chemical-producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.

* New Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

* New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production.

* Here’s to New Jersey – the toast of the country! In 1642, the first brewery in America opened in Hoboken.

Summer Sun Safety Tips –
* Minimize exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

* Provide more shade, like trees, shade structures, umbrellas, etc.

* Avoid reflected light from sand and water. Up to 85% of the harmful UV radiation can come from reflected rays.

* Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, mist and fog.

* Wear light clothing to cover your body. Shade your face with a hat.

Volunteer to help at a Family Readiness Center.

To reach any NJ National Guard Family Assistance Center –

Call toll free 888-859-0352