23 January 2004

   Volume 3, Number 3

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NJ Dept of Military and
Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General

Col Maria Falca-Dodson
Deputy Adjutant General

COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian
Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

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Contacting us is easy!

Office of the Joint Chief of Staff

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!
www.state.nj.us/military

Senator John Corzine and Congressman Frank LoBiondo visited the 177th Fighter Wing.

On January 7th, Senator Corzine and Congressman LoBiondo visited the 177th Fighter Wing and reinforced the importance of the 177th homeland defense efforts. “The 177th Fighter Wing’s mission is vital to the security of our nation,” said Senator Corzine. “It’s time for the Defense Department to move on our longstanding request to strengthen the unit by adding more F-16s to the wing.” Senator Corzine and Congressman LoBiondo have been involved in efforts to help the 177th obtain newer fighter jets and improved facilities to enable the wing to carry out its various missions. “everyone who sees them in action agrees the 177th is doing a great job in homeland defense and they should have the best available resources to continue carrying out this top priority mission,” said Representative LoBiondo. This is why I have worked to pass legislation to call for this increased force strength and I’ll keep working to support the ‘Jersey Devils’ as they protect us.”

NJ National Guard’s ChalleNGe Youth Program schedules graduation and seeks employment opportunities.

Cadets from the New Jersey National Guard’s ChalleNGe Youth Program will graduate on February 28, 2004. These students will be available for job shadowing and community service from 1-20 February 2004. The ChalleNGe Program is looking for individuals willing to sharing their experience and guidance by sponsoring one of our cadets in a job. Also needed are names of contact people for local community service. Please contact COL (Ret) Kenneth Prossick, Director, ChalleNGe Youth Program, at 609-562-0571 or by email at Kenneth.Prossick@njdmava.state.nj.us, if you can be of assistance.

J4 Supports Federal Mobilization Sea Port Operations.

On 11 January 2004, the J4 Transportation Section, under the guidance of LTC Eric F. Anderson, conducted on the ground coordination at the Philadelphia Seaport with MAJ Dickerson, Officer in Charge (OIC), 1192nd Transportation Terminal Brigade, home station New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mr. Kottka, 956th Truck Company, home station, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. They briefed port operations that correspond to Military Convoy Movements. An on the ground recon of the entire marshalling area was conducted, which included equipment from the 50th Finance Battalion, NJ Army National Guard. The briefing included computer systems that log in, count, and stow the equipment on board the vessel. As the day progressed, our personnel were able to see the 50th Finance Battalion vehicles being driven onto the vessel and secured. The J4 Transportation Section personnel included, LTC Eric Anderson, MAJ Michael McLean, MSG Frank Marchetti, and SGT Thomas Russo.

Distinguished, Meritorious, and Vietnam Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are scheduled.

COL (Ret) Emil Philibosian, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, will present Distinguished Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, and Certificates of Appreciation to residents at the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland on 27 January 2004. The medals and certificates will be presented to the residents in their individual areas. There will be no public ceremony.

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.

Department of Defense Tax Statements are now posted online.

Tax statements are now posted on myPay for Army, Navy, Air Force Reserve, Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian employees, military annuitants, and military retirees. W-2 and 1099 statements are available for these groups to view and print immediately, allowing them to submit their tax returns quickly. The Army, Air Force, Navy active duty members will have their statements posted no earlier than January 16, but no later than January 26. The statements are available at https://mypay.dfas.mil.

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

Today in History…

Today is Friday, 23 January 2004 and the 23rd day of the year. There are 344 days left in the year. On this day…

1789 – Georgetown College, located in Washington, DC, was established as the first Catholic college in the U.S.

1845 – U.S. Congress decided all national elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

1960 – The U.S. Navy bathyscaphe Trieste descended to a record depth of 35,820 feet (10,750 meters) in the Pacific Ocean.

1968 – North Korea seized the U.S. Navy Ship Pueblo and its 83 man crew, charging it had intruded their territorial waters on a spying mission

1973 – President Nixon announces an accord has been reached to end the Vietnam War.

2002 – John Walker Lindh returned to the U.S. under FBI custody. Lindh was charged with conspiring to kill U.S. citizens, providing support to terrorists, and engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban while a member of the al-Quaida terrorist organization in Afghanistan.

Military Appreciation Night – Flyers vs. Devils

The New Jersey Devils will sponsor Military Appreciation Night on Tuesday, 9 March 2004. Military members, their families and friends will be able purchase tickets for $30 (a 40% discount) for the New Jersey Devils vs. the Philadelphia Flyers hockey game. Tickets are filled on a first-come, first served basis, based on availability and will be mailed to you. If you are interested, contact SMSgt Dave Whalen, 108th Air Refueling Wing, 3336 Wonnacott Avenue, McGuire AFB, NJ 08641. SMSgt Whalen can also be reached by phone at 609-754-3616 or at david.whalen@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.

Cold Weather = Frozen Pipes

Every winter many homeowners face the expense and inconvenience of frozen water pipes, but you can cross that off your winter worry list by taking a few precautions.

• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Detaching the hose allows water to drain from the pipe. Otherwise, a single hard, overnight freeze can burst either the faucet or pipe.

• Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas. Wrap water pipes in unheated garages or crawl spaces before temperatures plummet.

• Seal off access doors, air vents, and cracks. Winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes.

• Find the master shutoff. If a pipe bursts anywhere in the house, this valve turns it off.

• Allow steady water flow. In some places you’re advised to leave a steady drip or pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing from a bathroom faucet during the worst of a cold spell.

What if it’s too late and your pipes are frozen?

• Keep the plumber’s number handy?

• If you know where the freeze-up occurred, try to thaw it yourself. Never use a torch with an open flame. Try a hair dryer with a low heat setting. You can also try to wrap the pipe with towels and pour hot water over them. Open the related faucet or valve while thawing the pipes.

• Be careful because the pipe may already be broken, but not leaking because it is frozen. When you thaw it out, the water could come gushing out. Be ready to run for the master shutoff valve if this occurs.

Remember the old saying about an ounce of prevention, and be prepared. Here’s hoping you have water this Winter only when you want it.

Fun Facts

- America’s first roller coaster was built in 1827 to carry coal from a mine to boats below.

- Mozart wrote “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” when he was five years old.

- The Caspian Sea is really a lake.

- The Besenji is the only type of dog that doesn’t bark.