New Jersey Military and Veterans Affairs

Sunday, March 25, is a little-known holiday. But then it is a recently named holiday. Just this month, Congress enacted legislation naming March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day.

Since 1863, 3,444 servicemenbers have received the nation’s highest military honor for courage under fire. According to reports, only 112 of those recipients are alive today.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, a Captain in the Missouri National Guard when they went to France during World War I, said this about the medal, “I would rather have the blue band of the Medal of Honor around my neck than be president.”

If you would like to learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor, including the all the recipient’s citations, please visit www.army.mil/cmh/Moh1.htm.

One of the latest outcomes from the upheaval at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been the establishment of the “Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline.”
This toll-free call center was opened on March 19 to help wounded Soldiers and their family members to get information or assistance with medical or other issues.
Officials stressed that the hotline is not intended to circumvent the chain of command, but is "another step in the direction of improvement."

"Wounded and injured soldiers and their families expect and deserve the very best care and leadership from America's Army," officials said. "The Army's intent is to ensure wounded and injured soldiers and their families that they receive the best medical care possible. The Army chain of command will ensure every soldier is assisted in navigating the military health care system.

The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be reached from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-800-984-8523. As additional personnel are trained to receive calls and refer them to the proper organization or agency for resolution, the hotline hours of operation will expand to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, officials said.

By Sgt. Karl Cheney, NJARNG, JT2DC
Maj. Jeff Brownlee and Sgt. 1st Class Bob Seeland attended an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) conference in Sedona, Ariz., in March. Topics discussed at this conference covered present Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for UAVs in CENTCOM Theatre of Operation. The Raven and Shadow models of UAV were discussed in great depth, which is specifically relevant to the New Jersey National Guard’s transformation as these are two models which will be given to the State in the near future as part of
the transformation.
CENTCOM is Central Command, and covers the area from North Africa, through the middle east (to include southwest Asia, Iraq, etc.) all the way across to Afghanistan-Pakistan, south to India and the Indian Ocean.

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
The Family Readiness Groups have received many questions regarding filing of 2006 Federal Income taxes for deployed soldiers. If a soldier is deployed and serving in a combat zone he or she is automatically granted an extension of filing for 180 days. The 180 days starts on the day he departs for the combat zone, so in most cases the soldiers we have deployed from D/250th BSB and Trp C/5-117th will not be required to file their tax forms until late 2007 or possibly early 2008.

The national date for the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work program is on the fourth Thursday in April….April 26. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with this event please contact Dorinda Sapp, DMAVA’s AAO, at 609-530-6828, by Wed., March 28. Further information regarding this event will be available in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you and your child at this year’s event!

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Families still in need of renewing their Dependent ID Cards will have an opportunity to obtain a new card as follows:
Date: Saturday March 24
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Location: Vineland National Guard Armory
2560 South Delsea Drive
Vineland, NJ 08360-7093

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
The Delta Company 250th BSB next scheduled Family Readiness Group meeting is:
Date: Saturday, March 24
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Bordentown National Guard Armory
1048 Route 206 South
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Agenda: Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson and Col. James Grant will be available to answer family questions and concerns, VFW fundraising activities, 4H Representatives, and an election to fill vacant FRG Treasurer's position. There will be refreshments following the meeting.

On March 29, there will be another VTC meeting in the Homeland Security Center of Excellence (HSCOE) at 2:30 p.m., preparing for the motorcycle ride to the New Jersey Veteran Memorial Homes. The bridge number is 609-530-8273. Anyone who is interested in participating is encouraged to attend. More details about the ride that is scheduled for June 16 will be showing up around DMAVA and the state after the meeting. If you have questions, please contact Lt. Col. Walter Nall at walter.nall@njdmava.state.nj.us or 609-530-6841.

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Registration begins March 15 for National Military Family Association's popular Operation Purple Summer Camps for kids. This free camp program for military children with deployed parents will host more than 3,500 children and teens in 26 different
states. Each camp is "purple" and open to children of any member of the uniformed services including National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and United States Public Health Service plus the National Guard and Reserve. Information on specific locations and the registration process will be available when registration begins on March 15. For further information on the camps please visit http://www.operationpurple.org/

Throughout the nation’s history women have established themselves as role models for generations to follow. From the first women to receive a patent to the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives, women have made their mark within the history of this nation with their courage, leadership and honor.
As we celebrate the third week of Women’s History Month, we continue to recognize major accomplishments and contributions to American history.
1809 - Mary Kies became the first woman to receive a patent, for a method of weaving straw with silk.
1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell received her M.D. degree from the Medical Institution of Geneva, N.Y., becoming the first woman in the U.S. with a medical degree.
1853 – Antoinette Blackwell became the first American woman to be ordained a minister in a recognized denomination (Congregational).
1864 - Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She graduated from the New England Female Medical College
1866 - Lucy Hobbs became the first woman to graduate from dental school, the Ohio College of Dental Surgery.
1869 - Arabella Mansfield was granted admission to practice law in Iowa, making her the first woman lawyer. A year later, Ada H. Kepley, of Illinois, graduates from the Union College of Law in Chicago. She is the first woman lawyer to graduate from a law school.
1873 – Ellen Swallow Richards, the first woman to be admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earns her B.S. degree. She became the first female professional chemist in the U.S.
1885 - Sarah E. Goode became the first African-American woman to receive a patent, for a bed that folded up into a cabinet. Goode, who owned a furniture store in Chicago, intended the bed to be used in apartments.
1887 - Susanna Medora Salter became the first woman elected mayor of an American town, in Argonia, Kansas.
1916 – Jeannette Rankin, of Montana, was the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
1932 – Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, traveling from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, to Ireland in approximately 15 hours.
Hattie Wyatt Caraway, of Arkansas, became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate
1934 - Lettie Pate Whitehead became the first American woman to serve as a director of a major corporation, The Coca-Cola Company.
1960 - Oveta Culp Hobby became the first woman to serve as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. She was also the first director of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), and the first woman to receive the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal.
Jacqueline Cochran broke the sound barrier by flying an F-86 over Roger's Dry Lake, California, at the speed of 652.337 miles per hour. Eleven years later, she flew at a speed of 1,429.2 miles per hour, more than twice the speed of sound.
1965 - Patsy Takemoto Mink, of Hawaii, was the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 24 years.
1967 - Muriel "Mickey" Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and the first woman to head one of its member firms.
Althea Gibson was the first African-American tennis player to win a singles title at Wimbledon.
1969 - Shirley Chisholm, of New York, became the first African-American woman in Congress. Her motto was, "Unbought and unbossed." She served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years. She also became the first black woman U.S. Representative.
1970 - Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby ? Sun National Bank
1-800-691-7701

Sally Jean Priesand was ordained as the first woman rabbi in the United States.
1972 - Juanita Kreps became the first woman director of the New York Stock Exchange. She later became the first woman appointed Secretary of Commerce.
Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed by President Reagan to the Supreme Court, making her its first woman justice.
Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
1989 - Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, of Florida, became the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress. She is still serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1990 - Dr. Antonia Novello was sworn in as U.S. Surgeon General, becoming the first woman (and first Hispanic) to hold that job.
1991 - On January 2, Sharon Pratt Dixon was sworn in as mayor of Washington, DC, becoming the first black woman to serve as mayor of a major city.
Carol Moseley-Braun, of Illinois, became the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
1992 – Mae Jemison became the first black female astronaut.
Sheila Widnall became the first secretary of a branch of the U.S. military when she was appointed to head the Air Force.
Janet Reno became the first woman U.S. attorney general.
1993 – Toni Morrison became the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature.
1997 – Madeleine Albright was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State. She was the first woman in this position as well as the highest-ranking woman in the United States government.
1998 - During Operation Desert Fox in Iraq, Lt. Kendra Williams, USN, became the first U.S. female combat pilot to bomb an enemy target.
Lt. Col. Eileen Collins was the first woman astronaut to command a space shuttle mission.
1999 - Nancy Ruth Mace was the first female cadet to graduate from the Citadel, the formerly all-male military school in South Carolina.
2005 - Condoleezza Rice became the first African-American female Secretary of State.
2007 - Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal) became the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Harvard University named Drew Gilpin Faust its first woman president in the school’s 371-year history.

The New Jersey Committee for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will be conducting a Boss Lift to Jacksonville, Fla. on April 11-13.

The purpose of the Boss Lift is to provide employers with a better understanding of what their employees do when they are away from their civilian occupation for duty with their military units. Nominations for relatives, minors or assistance cannot be accepted. Commanders and Primary Staff officers should encourage Guard members to nominate employers for participation in this trip.

Nomination forms can be found at the ESGR website at www.njesgr.org

The Forms can then be submitted to:
DMAVA, NJESGR
ATTN: Hank Pierre
101 Eggert Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08640.

Additional information can be obtained from Hank Pierre at 609-530-6879.

The New Jersey League of Municipalities, the National Guard State Family Readiness Council, American Legion Post 414 and the Lawrence Lions are holding a Support the Troops and Families Pancake Breakfast

It will be held on Sunday, April 15, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Army National Guard Armory on 151 Eggert Crossing Road, Lawrenceville, N.J.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information or tickets, contact Jack Stoffa at 609-530-6855 or Joe Lech at 609-530-7015 or John Hastings 609-530-7124. They also need volunteers to serve and bus tables after the patrons eat. Contact Jack or Joe for more details.

For those of us who have reached the age old enough to be invited to join the exclusive organization with many benefits, AARP, there is also a month for us: May, which is Older Americans Month. The Department of Personnel and Working Well New Jersey will participate in the 50 Begins Life Expo on May 5-6 at the Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset. There will be more than 200 exhibits, seminar programs, book signings, entertainment, prize drawings and free health screenings. There will also be a 50+ job fair and volunteer area. Put this on your calendar.

McGuire Air Force Base will be holding air show on May 12-13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two-day air show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Army Golden Knights and static displays of an array of modern and vintage military aircraft. No tickets are required as the show has free admission and free parking. The Web Site for the event is: http://www.305services.com/main/airshow07.

Motor cycle enthusiasts mark your calendars! The employees, Soldiers, and Airmen of DMAVA are planning a bike ride. The tentative date for this event is June 16, 2007. Participating motorcyclists plan to visit the three veterans’ homes and interact with the residents during the layovers. Lt. Col. Walter R. Nall is coordinating this event for DMAVA. If interested, you may contact him at walter.nall@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-6841. If you have any questions or need any additional information feel free to contact him directly.

Retirement Dinner In honor of Command Chief Master Sgt. Herbert E. Mimler Jr.

Saturday, April 21

Renault Winery Tuscany House, 72 N. Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Cost $35 RSVP NLT April 16

Capt. Mays 609-645-6206 or Master Sgt. Orme 609-645-6012

Cash or Checks Payable: 177FW Chief’s Council

Mess Dress or Semi-formal

ESGR offices move to JFHQ at Fort Dix

The full time Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) staff moved their offices to JFHQ at Fort Dix. The office, B103, is located on the first floor of JFHQ, building 3650.
The phone number for Hank Pierre, Executive Assistant is 609-562-0156. His email address remains hank.pierre@njdmava.state.nj.us. The phone number for Tammy Cartagena, Administrative Assistant, is 609-562-0157; her e-mail address is tammy.l.cartagena@us.army.mil. The office fax number is 609-562-0158.

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Assemblymen holding gift card drive for Family Readiness Program

Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway MD are currently holding Operation “We Care”, a gift card drive. Gift cards in denominations up to $25 are being collected for distribution to the families of our deployed Soldiers. The collected cards will be given to the New Jersey Family Readiness Program for distribution to the families. Gift cards can be mailed or dropped off at the address below. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions or more information, call 856-461-3997.
Assemblymen Conaway and Conners
Delran Professional Center
8008 Rt. 130 N, suite 125
Delran NJ 08075

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ChalleNGe looking for a few good mentors

ChalleNGe needs a few good men & women, ages 21 and up.
If you are willing to:
1. Commit to 14 months of contact with a cadet who will be selected by you 2. Contact your cadet monthly with sound advice and guidance
3. Work with your cadet on an employment/career placement plan
4. Make yourself available to discuss and give input to resolving real life issues with your cadet -
then, call ChalleNGe at 609-562-0577 and request an application.
As a ChalleNGe mentor, you will spend 14 months giving sound advice to a cadet and helping him or her find placement resources within their respective communities. You can visit your cadet at ChalleNGe, which is located on Fort Dix, as well as take them for off-site visits.
A 4-hour mandatory training is provided at Fort Dix upon commitment to your cadet.
ChalleNGe RPM (recruitment, placement & mentoring) staff are readily available to assist you and your cadet in this endeavor. If you have any questions, contact RPM at 609-562-0580.
Being a ChalleNGe mentor is a very rewarding experience and provides you with an opportunity to assist in changing a youth’s life forever.

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N.J. National Guard museums looking for members, volunteers

The National Guard Museum of New Jersey is looking to expand its membership. While the organization finds the hard-working staff, the dedicated volunteers and the support of the membership to be its strength, the Museum’s Board of Trustees would like to make the organization stronger. Expanding the membership and increasing the volunteer corps are crucial components to the future goals the board has set for the museum.

As New Jersey’s largest military museum, with three locations – in Sea Girt, Lawrenceville and the War Memorial Building in Trenton, along with a traveling mobile museum – its staff is known for their knowledge and expertise when someone has a question about New Jersey’s military history.

Consider becoming a member today; membership applications are available on the museum’s Web site: http://www.nj.gov/military/museum/index.html. Cost is just $10 a year. If interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Sea Girt museum at 732-974-5966 or Lawrenceville at 609-530-6802.

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The New Jersey Bar Association has created the Military Legal Assistance Program. This pro bono program provides assistance to New Jersey residents who have served overseas as active duty members of reserve components of the armed forces after Sept. 11, 2001.

Individuals who have been adversely affected upon their return from deployment and the program currently offers assistance to the following areas: family law, employment law and debtor-creditor law.

The Military Legal Assistance program will refer members of the military who contact the state bar association to volunteers qualified to assist them with their specific legal issues. Volunteers who accept a case through the program must agree to handle such case from inception to resolution without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

If interested in the program, contact D. Todd Sidor, Esq., by e-mail: tsidor@njsba.com or phone: 732-937-7544.

The On Guard – the National Guard’s bi-monthly newspaper – is searching for charter Air National Guard (ANG) members to interview for an upcoming series of articles leading up to the ANG’s 60th Birthday.

Please call Public Affairs Office at 609-530-7088 if you know of any veteran Airmen from the 1947 Air National Guard who would be willing to answer a few questions about their service.

The Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP) is eligible to all Army personnel including, active duty, reserve, Guard, and civilians currently employed by the Army.
The program allows individuals to get a licensed copy of Microsoft Office desktop applications to install and use on a home computer.

The Army awarded a six – year Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) for Microsoft products on May 30, 2003. The MS ELA established by the Army is a “Volume License” agreement with Software Assurance, and as a “Volume License” owner, the Army is entitled to exercise the Home Use Program.

Army Guard members taking advantage of this offering are responsible for paying the administrative costs for obtaining the software and may use the software as desired. Guard members can only obtain one version of the software at any given time.

Go to this website for more details: https://ascp.monmouth.army.mil/scp/software/ hup.jsp

Troops to Teachers (www.ProudtoServeAgain.com) is administered by the Department of Defense and Department of Education and managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). The program helps eligible military personnel begin second careers as public school teachers by providing referral assistance, placement services, and - for those electing to teach at high-need schools - financial stipends and bonuses.

Members of the National Guard and Reserves with 10 or more years of service are eligible for the program, provided they commit for an additional three years.

We Need You!

Volunteer Today!

One Day of Pay (Minimum $50)

One Retirement Point (TDG’s only)
Selfless Service and Personal Satisfaction.
Call 609-530-7090 Today To See If You Qualify.

Have you ever looked at the flag and seen it flying at half staff and wondered who and why? It’s easy to find out the reason New Jersey is flying the flags at half staff. Every day, on the state’s Web site www.nj.gov, you will find a New Jersey flag on the right hand side of the page, slightly below the governor’s photo. Here it tells you if the flag should be flying at full or half staff. You can find more information by clicking on the “Learn more” button.

HQ Group, who currently runs the Helmets to Hardhats program, is expanding! Hire A Hero is our newest initiative that helps transitioning military personnel, Guard members and Reservists find jobs with all industries.

Hire A Hero is a non-profit initiative that is powered by the Armed Forces Support Foundation. To find out more about these programs, visit the following Web sites: www.hireahero.com/ or http://armedforcessupportfoundation.org/

Are you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?

Visit www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who offer discounts to New Jersey state employees. From amusement parks to fitness to computer to phones and lots of other discounts between, you will find many ways to save money. For more information, please contact Patty Smith at patty.smith@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-6847.

Jackson Premium Outlets has an offer to all members of the military, past or present. Simply by stopping by the Information Center in the Food Court, you can get a free Jackson premium Outlets VIP Coupon Book. Some form of identification indicating military service is necessary and the booklet that normally costs $5 will be given to you for free. There are hundreds of dollars of additional savings in coupons in the book.

As a corporate partner with the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, World Wrestling Entertainment supports the military and its many servicemembers and their families. WWE is expressing their generosity by giving members of the military free admittance into WEE events worldwide.

Members of the military can receive a free ticket to WWE events, based on availability and excluding WrestleMania events, when they provide valid identification to the box office on performance day.

WWE has shown their support of the military by visiting casualties in military hospitals overseas and at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Stars from WWE have gone to Iraq for the past three years to tape a holiday special that was broadcast in America and to troops around the globe. The organization has also donated T-shirts, videos, CDs and other promotional items to members of the armed forces serving on the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism.

Military Handbooks has announced the launch of its new website and the release of its latest seven FREE handbooks for military personnel. Military Handbooks is a small company owned and operated by former federal employees and veterans. Their offices are located in Alexandria, Va.

These free handbooks were written specifically for military members. To get your own copies of these free handbooks, simply go to their new website:

www.militaryhandbooks.com The handbooks include:
     - 2007 U.S. Military Handbook
     - 2007 U.S. Military Retired Handbook
     - 2007 Getting Uncle Sam To Pay For Your College Degree
     - 2007 After The Military Handbook
     - 2007 Benefits For Veterans And Dependents Handbook
     - 2007 Veterans Healthcare Benefits Handbook
     - 2007 Military Children's Scholarship Handbook

As part of April’s “Month of the Military Child,” United Concordia is sponsoring a Web-based, random-selection drawing. Prizes will be awarded to military children of varying ages.

Children of active duty or National Guard and Reserve sponsors who are enrolled in the Tri-Care Dental Program are eligible for this drawing. To enter, simply complete the form found on the TDP Web site – www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com between March 28 and April 26 and submit it online.

One first, second and third place prize will be awarded in each of the six TRICARE regions for the four age categories.

Ages 0-4
First prize: VTech V.Smile™ Baby
Second prize: $100 U.S. Savings Bond
Third prize: $25 AAFES gift certificate

Ages 5-7
First prize: VTech Nitro Notebook™
Second prize: $100 U.S. Savings Bond
Third prize: $25 AAFES gift certificate

Ages 8-12 and Ages 13-17
First prize: iPod® Shuffle™
Second prize: $100 U.S. Savings Bond
Third prize: $25 AAFES gift certificate

Only one entry per child is permitted; winners will be announced on the TDP Web site on May 10, 2007.

The thirteenth Annual New Jersey National Guard Youth Camp will be held July 29 to Aug. 4 at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt.

Applications are available at: www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html

Children, ages 9-13 are invited to apply. The camp fee is still $100. Campers must be children, grandchildren or legal dependents of an active or retired member of the New Jersey National Guard. A variety of volunteer positions are available.

For more information, call the Family Programs Office at (609) 562-0668.

The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance Program provides direct assistance and referrals to existing programs for spouses of deployed military personnel (active duty, reserve and National Guard) who face unusual financial and emotional stress as a result of the deployments.

Applicants should contact Fawn Mutschler at 609-543-6200 ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org to obtain an application. In addition to the completed application form, applicants will also need to submit the following documentation: LES/paystub for applicant and spouse; statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason for applying and how the grant will help); bill or pricing of expenditure as well as any other supporting information the applicant feels may be helpful. Additional information can be found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml

The Army Community Service (ACS) office at Fort Dix has several programs to support the Soldier and his/her family during mobilization and deployment. Their number is (609) 562-2767 or (800) 877-2380 and they are located in Building 5201 at Maryland Ave and 8th Street. Some of the programs available are:

Army Emergency Relief: Provides emergency financial assistance to active duty military personnel, retirees, National Guard and Reserve Component on active duty for over 30 consecutive days and their family members (with ID card and power of attorney).

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP): Entitles member to additional benefits through TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Program. Provides information, referrals, crisis intervention, community support and assistance to meet individual needs.

Family Advocacy Program: Provides for the identification, reporting, prevention, and treatment of child abuse and domestic violence.

Employment Readiness Program: Offers information and referral for employment, education (resume writing and interviewing), volunteer and training opportunities.

A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL, and CFL football players have announced they are extending their sponsorship of the SAT/ACT training to all military families.

The sponsorship allows any military person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request as many programs as they need for the students in their lives. There is a secure website to confirm a person’s military status before directing the user to the software order site.

Logon to:: Click Here

Programs are shipped to domestic U.S. addresses and APO addresses. The sponsorship covers the purchase price of $199 and the family pays only the shipping and handling of $9.95.

The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council has expanded its Family Grants Program to include an additional grant. There are now two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500 grant that has been in place for the past couple of years. The TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive days. Service members meeting these criteria are eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500. Applications are available at all New Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.

The New Jersey National Guard is looking for a few good runners to represent the state in the 2007 National Guard Marathon in Lincoln, Neb., on May 6.

Each year hundreds of National Guardsmen from around the nation compete in the Marathon. Qualifying times to attend the race (fully funded TDY) are: four hours for men under 40; 4:15 for men 40 and over; and 4:30 for women. The qualifying time must have been accomplished within the last 18 months. The top runners in Lincoln are selected for the National Guard Running Team and compete in races across the nation. Interested Guardsmen should contact Maj. Arnstein at 609-562-3239.

Please join the 2007 Nutter Run at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt on May 19. The run starts at 10 a.m. This year’s beneficiary is Caitlyn McGuire.
Caitlyn is the daughter of New Jersey Army National Guardsman, Spc. Robert McGuire and the granddaughter of another New Jersey National Guardsman; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mickey McGuire.

The run will also feature live music, food, giveaways, raffles, prizes, games for children and much more. To see the flyer for the event, visit www.nutterrun.com.

If you can't participate in the run/walk, please help us help Caitlyn by spreading the word and raising awareness about this event. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.

The International Association of Workforce Professionals is conducting its first charity golf outing to support Veterans Haven on May 19 at Falcon Creek golf Club, McGuire Air Force Base. A shot gun start will begin at noon. Cost of $120 per person includes: lunch, greens fee, golf cart, one-hour open bar, dinner and awards. Those non-golfers who would like to only attend the dinner can do so for the price of $50. There will be door prizes, 50-50, raffles and prizes for a putting and chipping contest. The association is looking for hole sponsors and boosters.
Play is limited to 120 players and is first come-first served. You can get the brochure/registration form at www.njcharitygolf.com or call 973-748-0123 and leave your name, phone number and complete address.

The 11th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 17 at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Ft. Dix. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m., with a two-person scramble (best ball). Cost to play is $85 per person, with checks made payable to “Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Fund.” Call Senior Master Sgt. Mike Balas at 609-330-4069 or Connie Cisek at 609-562-0901 for more information. Proceeds from the tournament go to help fellow Guardsmen in need.

Here’s to the Heroes provides a single day’s free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three direct dependents.

Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or Guard member is entitled to free admission under the program. He or she need only register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of Defense photo ID.

Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended

A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL, and CFL football players have announced they are extending their sponsorship of the SAT/ACT training to all military families.
The sponsorship allows any military person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request as many programs as they need for the students in their lives. There is a secure website to confirm a person’s military status before directing the user to the software order site.

Programs are shipped to domestic U.S. addresses and APO addresses. The sponsorship covers the purchase price of $199 and the family pays only the shipping and handling of $9.95.

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American Legion offers scholarships, booklet on their Web site

The American Legion has scholarship information on their Web site – www.legion.org – including the 152-page booklet, Need a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans’ dependents and members of the American Legion family. When you get on the site, click on “Scholarship Information” in the ”Useful Links” block.

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AMVETS, U of Phoenix team up for military members, family’s education

From the AMVETS Web site - www.amvets.org
AMVETS and the University of Phoenix are proud to announce a joint venture to help veterans, active duty service members, reservists, Guardsmen and family members obtain a high-quality online education.
Together, the organizations will award 25 scholarships nationwide this year. Each scholarship will consist of a $4,000 credit with the university, which is the nation’s premier educational institution for adult learning.
All veterans, service members and family members are eligible to apply.
Full details and application procedures will be available on this Web site soon.

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AMVETS Scholarship program open to entering college freshmen

AMVETS National Scholarship Program offers a four-year scholarship to entering college freshmen to be used for full-time study at either an undergraduate college or university or an accredited technical/trade school leading to a certification or degree. For each year, up to a maximum of four years, AMVETS will award $1,000 to students maintaining a 2.0 grade point average or equivalent and showing evidence of enrollment. This program is for children and grandchildren of veterans. A total of six
scholarships will be awarded nationally, one per each of the six National Districts of AMVETS. Applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements and submit the completed application on or before April 15. For questions about the application process, please contact AMVETS toll free at 1-877-726-8387.

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VFW Scholarships available to veterans, family members

Go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Web site – www-vfw.org – to find information on their three scholarship programs. Two, Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy, have a deadline of Nov. 1, 2007. The third program is scholarships for VFW members and its deadline is December 31. Click on “Programs,” then “VFW Scholarship Programs” to find the information.

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Bill Extends Education Eligibility

A bill which extends eligibility for higher education tuition assistance to certain former members of New Jersey National Guard and increases the number of tuition-free credits available to National Guard members and their dependents was signed into law by Governor Jon. S. Corzine on Jan. 24.

The legislation would allow National Guard members who are called into active duty to utilize state tuition assistance credits after their enlistment expires.

Under the old law, active members of the New Jersey National Guard may receive up to 15 credits per semester tuition free from public institutions of higher education in the State. Similarly, the child or surviving spouse of a National Guard member killed in the performance of his duties may also receive this benefit.

This bill, A-2542, amended the law to extend eligibility for this higher education tuition benefit to members of the New Jersey National Guard whose use of the free tuition benefit is interrupted by a deployment to active duty. The change would permit these soldiers to receive their earned educational benefits should their enlistment expire, or should they be medically discharged, prior to completing their studies.

The new law will also increase the number of credits eligible for funding under this program from 15 to 16 per semester.

Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded by the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation. Information about the scholarships, including application form, can be found at www.njvvmf.org. Applications must be received at the foundation office by 5 p.m. April 20. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Recipients will be notified prior to the award ceremony on May 28.

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.

There are many scholarships available to military family members. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line suggests that you not pay someone to find scholarships for you. Why? Because these researchers will use the same sources on the internet that you will use, so why pay them to do so? For suggestions on where to find scholarships for which you might be eligible, visit: www.enewsbuilder.net/cbbbmilitary/e_article-000694547.cfm?x=b8r7v3.

For information to help military families avoid financial pitfalls, visit: http://military.bbb.org

There is a position open for a Bilateral Affairs Officer in Tirana, Albania in association with the State Partnership Program. The position is a tour of extended active duty for one year unaccompanied or two-year accompanied (spouse only, no children), with an estimated start date of June 1, 2007. The grade required for the position is captain or mid-grade major; the branch is immaterial.

Along with assignment are many incentives including diplomatic status and embassy privileges, individual housing provided in country, use of embassy VIP badges/privileges available, member of ambassador’s Country Team and high level and very visible assignment working with the U.S. ambassador, NATO commander, and other organizations in country.

Interested individuals should contact Maj. Judie Marranco at 609-530-7079 for further details.

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.

The National Guard Association of New Jersey will be conducting the following events. All members (active and retirees) are encouraged to participate:

?? NGANJ Social - the Association’s Social will be conducted on Friday, April 13, 2007 at the Holiday Inn, East Windsor (Hightstown), N.J. This event will begin at 6 p.m. and will conclude at approximately 11 p.m. Cost per person is $60. This includes a one hour open bar, full course dinner and DJ. The attire will be the “dress” uniform for military and formal (suit) for civilians.

?? NGANJ 2007 Yearbook – Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jack Petrosilli and his committee sent a mailing to all members requesting support for the Yearbook. Please return your ads and/or booster request no later than April 15. If you need a form, please contact Petrosilli.

?? Annual Business Meeting - the annual Business Meeting will be conducted on May 19, 2007 at the Timmermann Conference Center, Fort Dix. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. (sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m.) and will conclude at noon. The attire for this meeting is “business casual”. This will be an opportunity for all members to see the four classrooms that were dedicated to New Jersey’s fallen Soldiers.

?? NGANJ President’s Golf Tournament - this tournament will be held at Falcon Creek Golf Course at McGuire AFB, on June 4. This will be a “shotgun” start beginning at 11 a.m. The course limit is 144 players, so early reservations are suggested. A hot buffet dinner will follow at approximately 5 p.m. at the McGuire NCO Club, located across the street from the course. This tournament benefits the “Scholarship Fund”. Last year, with your help, we were able to award nine $1,000 scholarships to deserving students. This year, we hope to meet or exceed that goal.

?? National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico from August 15 - 18, 2007. The New Jersey delegation will be staying at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport). Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great pool for the family and is located close to the convention center (10 minutes). We have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis. Additional information and registration forms will be coming out shortly. If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose Maldonado.

?? NGANJ Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ website. If you need copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional information, please go to the website at: www.nganj.org.

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

N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center's upcoming events

Mar. 31 / 1 p.m. / "Avoiding Armageddon: John F. Kennedy and American Foreign Policy," a lecture by political science professor and Cold War Era veteran, Philip J. Briggs, Ph.D., from his book, Making American Foreign Policy: President-Congress Relations from the Second World War to the Post-Cold War Era. This lecture examines President Kennedy’s life, with particularly attention to his White House years during the height of the Cold War, including reactions to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and Vietnam. Also discussed are the roles played by other key personalities, including Bobby Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and even Jacqueline Kennedy.

April 14 / 1 p.m. / "Answering the Call for Those Who Have Answered the Call of Duty – N.J. Veteran's Hotline," a discussion about this service to veterans by N.J. Vietnam Veteran, Chuck Arnold, UMDNJ - University Behavioral HealthCare Counselor.

May 7 / 11 a.m. / New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony in the courtyard of the N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

May 28 / 11 a.m. / Memorial Day ceremony in the courtyard of the N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.
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On Saturdays, between February 17 and April 14, free guided tours of the N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial will be available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Beginning May 5, free guided tours of the Memorial will be offered on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will award N.J. Vietnam Service Medals and Distinguished Service Medals in a ceremony on May 7, 2007, at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial as part of the N.J. Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony. In order to participate in this ceremony, you must complete the DMAVA award application and send it with the necessary supporting documentation. You can get a .pdf file of the application online at http://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/awards/forms/application.pdf (you will need Adobe Acrobat to open the .pdf file) or you can call the N.J. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation at 732-335-0033 to have one mailed to you. For questions about eligibility and criteria for the medals, please call 609-530-7035.