The 253^rd Transportation Company, NJARNG, commanded by CPT Michael Ciarrocca, as part of the United States led coalition forces conducting stability operations within Iraq, continue to serve their country and state in a proud and professional manner.  CPT Ciarrocca, in a brief telephone conversation from Iraq (exact location undisclosed), stated that all of his soldiers are safe, accounted for, and that the unit has traveled over 410,000(+) miles of convoy missions in 160(+) degree heat.  The Commander of the active duty unit that the 253^rd is currently assigned to is so impressed with the high level of expertise and esprit de corps of the NJARNG soldiers, that he has invited the unit to train with his unit for Annual Training after they return to the United States.  CPT Ciarrocca thanked everyone for the cards, Youth Camp banner, and packages of personal use items sent to his soldiers.  We wish him and all his soldiers victory in their mission and a safe and speedy return home.

The Office of Information Technology awarded DMVA a $304,000 infrastructure grant, and has issued purchase orders in that amount for items such as routers, switches, and other IT equipment.  DMVA has received its first shipments of this equipment.  Most items are being used to replenish stock since we supported major system upgrades last year at the Homeland Security/Center of Excellence, the Veterans Memorial Homes, BG Doyle Cemetery, Veterans Haven, and the Veteran Service Offices.  Other items will be used to support replacing old switches at Menlo Park, which will provide their system with greater speed.  This grant is very timely and will assist us in meeting our needs in Fiscal Year '04.

Doris Neibart was selected as the 2^nd Vice President of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH).  This organization is very active in representing the needs of our facilities.  The Association also provides a forum for networking with over one hundred homes such as ours throughout the country.  Congratulations, Doris!

Sixty-two Cadets graduated from the NJ National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program on Saturday, 9 August 2003.  Senator Nia H. Gill from the 34^th District was Guest Speaker.  The Oath of Office was administered to eight graduates who have enlisted in the Active Army, Army National Guard, Air Force, and the Navy respectively.

On Wednesday, 20 August 2003, Colonel (Ret) Emil Philibosian, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, assisted by Mr. Angelo Romeo, Director of Veterans Programs, CW5 (Ret) Robert Wimblerly, Chief, Veterans Benefits Bureau, Ms. Karen Hansen and Ms. Michelle Johnson, presented 251 veterans with the Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Medals in a ceremony held at Middlesex Community College in Edison, New Jersey.  Also attending the ceremony were Senator Barbara Buono, Assemblymen Gary Guear, Upendra Chivukula, Peter Barnes, Patrick Diegnan, and John Wisniewski.  Ms. Susan Tisker, representing Assemblyman Samuel Thompson, and Mr. Scott Crass, representing Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, also attended the ceremony.

DMVA recently contracted with PMI to automate its records and archives.  We now have the ability to scan original documents into an off-the-shelf filing system at 80 pages per minute.  This will permit document retrieval through a personal computer without leaving the desk.  Additionally, the method the system uses to microfilm documents will result in saving thousands of dollars in microfilming costs.  The State Human Resources, Fiscal, and Installations Divisions will become part of the system in the future, and this will save countless man-hours researching various documents.

DMVA has been proactive in providing video teleconferencing capabilities in Homeland Security's Conference Room H, the TAG Conference Room, Somerset, Atlantic City, Sea Girt, and Fort Dix Armories.  Near-term plans include expanding capabilities in Conference Room A and the 177^th Fighter Wing.  The 108^th Air Refueling Wing is working to purchase equipment.  Veterans Haven and the three Veterans Memorial Homes will be added as funding permits.  This will give the department important tools in carrying out normal business and emergency operations.  Staff is encouraged to use these tools to carry out business, thus reducing travel time and increasing productive use of time.

On Thursday, 7 August 2003, the New Jersey National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program hosted "Good Neighboring Day."  The purpose of the event was to help the Cadets gain knowledge and insight into Korean culture and history.  The ChalleNGe Program was honored to have MG James E. Donald, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Installation Management, United States Army Forces Command, as a guest speaker.  Among the day's events was an introduction to the Korean American community by Mr. Sunny Park and Reverend E. C. Hwang, a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, and a luncheon featuring Korean cuisine.  A good time was had by all!

CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the NJARNG, and COL Paul Ciervo, State Army Aviation Officer (SAAO), jointly announce the appointment and accession of WO1 Daryl J. Lynch to the Corps.  Congratulations go to our newest Warrant Officer One appointment.  Mr. Lynch was pinned in graduation ceremonies at Fort Rucker, Alabama on 19 August 2003.  Mr. Lynch, a former Air Guard full-time technician with the 177^th Fighter Wing, and more recently an Army Guard temporary technician at the West Trenton Flight Facility, will remain at Fort Rucker for the next year while he attends Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) flight school.

The recently launched website http://www.Militarybenefits.com is an all inclusive insider guide to military benefits, and includes both general overviews on major benefits topics, as well as in-depth explanations of specific benefits.  From pay to the GI Bill, from VA home loans to health care, your military service has earned you valuable benefits, whether you're active duty, Reservists, National Guard, a veteran, or a retiree.  This website is not an official U.S. Department of Defense or military service site.

Today is the 234^th  day of 2003.  There are 131 days left in the year.  On this date:

®      In 1775, Britain's King George III proclaimed the American colonies in a state of open rebellion.

®      In 1787, inventor John Fitch demonstrated his steamboat on the Delaware River to delegates of the Continental Congress.

®      In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt became the first U.S. Chief Executive to ride in an automobile in Hartford, Connecticut.

®      In 1911, it was announced in Paris that Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre Museum.  The painting turned up two years later in Italy.

®      In 1998, President Clinton signed an Executive Order putting Osama bin Laden on a list of terrorist groups.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants age 50 and over are now eligible to make a new type of tax-deferred contribution to the TSP.  These "catch-up" contributions are in addition to regular TSP contributions.  You are eligible if you are a federal employee or a member of the uniformed services who will be age 50 or older this calendar year, and are already contributing the maximum amount of regular TSP contributions (8% of basic pay).  This year, eligible participants may invest up to $2,000 in catch-up contributions.  The amount will increase to $3,000 in 2004, $4,000 in 2005, and $5,000 in 2006.  Servicemembers can elect to make catch-up contributions immediately.  To begin contributions, complete form TSP-U-I-C, which can be obtained from the TSP website, http://www.tsp.gov. 

F/IASD welcomes Christina Taylor to the Accounting Bureau. She will assist in the timely payment of vendors' bills and ensuring we receive the appropriate "Prompt Payment" discounts.  Tina, welcome to DMVA's family!

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

J   Dragonflies have six legs, but cannot walk.

J   Penguins have an organ above their eyes that converts seawater to freshwater.

J   A crocodile cannot move its tongue.

J   Honeybees navigate by using the Sun as a compass.

J   A single coffee tree produces only about one pound of coffee beans per year.

J   The city of Los Angeles has three times more automobiles than people.