1.
Veterans Service Officer Secures $1,219,564 in Monetary Awards.
2. Family Separation, Imminent Danger Pays Increased.
3. "OPERATION SALUTE" - Anheuser-Busch
Gives Troops and Their Families Free Admission to Sea World,
Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place.
4. New Jersey Army National Guard's 253rd Transportation
Company Deploys to Southwest Asia.
5. Location of Committal Services at the BG William
C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery is Moved Due to Renovations.
6. In Progress Reviews (IPR) for Annual Training
2003.
7. DMVA Sponsors Facility Visits for Congressional
Staffers.
8. Vietnam, Distinguished and Meritorious Service
Medal Presentation Ceremonies are Scheduled.
9. DMVA Celebrates Unity Day on 13 June 2003.
10. NJ State Library has issued its Monthly
New Book List
11. Armory Happenings - Look to see what's happening
at an Armory near you.
12. National Hurricane Center's P-3 Orion "Hurricane
Hunter" Aircraft will be at the Trenton-Mercer Airport
on May 7, 2003.
13. Senate Confirms General Blum as the new
Chief, National Guard Bureau.
14. A "Gift of Groceries" Can Help Military Families.
15. NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam
Era Education Center Announces Upcoming Calendar of Events.
16. Warrant Officer Selected for Command Position
17. Camden River Sharks Host Military Appreciation
Night - 16 July 2003.
18. FirstGov.Gov Provides Ways to Support U.S.
Troops
19. VA Administration (VA) Establishes SAR Website.
20. Youth Camp 2003 Update.
21. Getting to Know New Jersey.
22. Interesting but Useless Facts.
******
1.
Veterans
Service Officer Secures $1,219,564 in Monetary Awards for
His Clients.
The effort of our Veterans Service Officer for Camden and
Gloucester Counties continues to bring relief and financial
assistance to those whom he serves. During the month of March,
Guy Wiener was able to secure $1,219,564 in monetary awards
for his clients. The awards will be received from the US Department
of Veterans Affairs over the next twelve months.
2. Family Separation, Imminent Danger Pays
Increased.
President Bush has signed a wartime defense supplemental bill
that raises military Family Separation Allowance by $150 a
month and Imminent Danger Pay by $75 a month. These increases
are retroactive to October 1, 2002.
3.
"OPERATION SALUTE" - Anheuser-Busch Gives Troops
and Their Families Free Admission to Sea World, Busch Gardens,
and Sesame Place.
To express gratitude for the tremendous sacrifices of the
men and women in the Armed Forces, Anheuser-Busch announced
it will give free single-day admission to its Sea World, Busch
Gardens, and Sesame Place parks to active duty military, active
Reservists, US Coast Guard, National Guardsmen, and as many
as four of their direct dependents, beginning the Friday of
Memorial Day weekend and concluding on Veterans Day, November
11th. This offer has also been extended to all coalition forces
serving with US troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Patrick
Stokes, President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. said,
"It is our privilege to offer our parks to the men and
women of our armed forces and their families. It is a small
gesture of thanks for the hardships endured every day by our
soldiers and those closest to them.
4.
New Jersey Army National Guard's 253rd Transportation Company
Deploys to Southwest Asia.
As part of the coalition forces led by the United States in
the war against terrorism, the 253rd Transportation Company,
commanded by CPT Michael Ciarrocca, deployed to Southwest
Asia on 17 April 2003. CPT Ciarrocca is a full-time manning
Federal Technician assigned to the G4, Plans, Operations,
and Readiness Office. We wish him ad all of his soldiers victory
in their mission and a safe and speedy return home
5.
Committal Services at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial
Ceremony are Moved Due to Renovations.
During the renovation of the Committal Plaza and the painting
of the Chapel and Administration Building, Committal services
at the cemetery are currently being conducted in the vicinity
of the Memorial Walkway. We expect to use this location for
approximately 30 days while the renovation project continues.
6. In Progress Reviews (IPR) for Annual Training
2003.
USPFO-NJ, G3, G4, Major Subordinate Commands (MSC) and selected
Battalion/Squadron representatives conducted their first joint
IPR for Annual Training 2003 on 9 April at Headquarters, NJ
National Guard. The IPR focused on the training and logistical
requirements necessary to sustain those units conducting Annual
Training at different locations during various time periods.
To insure quality training and logistical support are provided
to all units, individuals from the USPFO-NJ, G3/G4 Office
and MSC Headquarters conducted an on the ground reconnaissance
of facilities and training areas located at Ft. Indiantown
Gap, PA on 24 April 2003. The next IPR is scheduled for 7
May.
7. DMVA Sponsors Facility Visits for Congressional
Staffers.
On Tuesday, 22 April 2003, the DMVA Office of Government Relations
escorted Congressional staffers from the offices of Senators
Corzine and Lautenberg, Representatives Frelinghuysen, Pallone
and Holt, and representatives from the firm of Rhoads, Weber,
Shandwick Government Relations on visits to Picatinny Arsenal
and Fort Monmouth. The purpose of these visits was provide
staffers an opportunity to obtain information for the upcoming
Efficient Facilities Initiative (EFI).
8. Vietnam, Distinguished, and Meritorious
Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are Scheduled.
29
Apr - 11 a.m. |
Vietnam
Service Medal |
National
Guard Armory
Somerset, NJ |
3
May - 12 p.m.
|
Vietnam
Service Medal |
Naval
Air Station Wildwood
Cape May Airport
Cape May, NJ |
7
May - 12 p.m. |
Vietnam
Service Medal |
NJ
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Holmdel, NJ |
15
May- 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. |
Distinguished
& Meritorious Service Medals |
National
Guard Armory
Teaneck, NJ |
21
May - 11 a.m. |
Distinguished
& Meritorious Service Medals |
National
Guard Armory
Port Murray, NJ |
26
May - 10 a.m. |
Distinguished
Service Medal |
Township
Hall
66 Main Street, West Orange |
29
May - 11 a.m. |
Distinguished
& Meritorious Service Medals |
Midtown
Community School
23rd St & Avenue A, Bayonne |
9.
DMVA Celebrates Unity Day on 13 June 2003.
The theme for this year's celebration will be "New Jersey
- Together We Can Make a Difference." The day's festivities
will take place at the HQs New Jersey National Guard, Fort
Dix, NJ. Committees are forming now. If you or anyone you
know would like to work on a committee or set up a display
of your own, please contact MSgt Kathy McCready at 509-562-0854
or DSN 944-0854.
10. New Jersey State Library has issued its
latest New Book List.
The listing of new books is issued on a monthly basis and
is available via email delivery. You can sign up for this
service by sending your email address to: ppolo@njstatelib.org.
The New Jersey State Library also has over 8,000 electronic
books available for your use. eBooks are electronic versions
of printed books and can be viewed online on any PC connected
to the internet. In order to access this collection you must
complete the Account Request form at: http://njstatelib.org/cybercdesk/netlibrary/requestform.htm
Listed below are a few suggested books from this month's list:
NY Times Best Sellers - Non-Fiction
Michaelangelo & the Pope's Ceiling
King, Ross. Walker & Company, 2003
Computers
Creating Dynamic Multimedia Presentations: Using PowerPoint.
Thompson/Southwestern, 2003
Environment
Ecology
Killing Me Softly: Toxic Waste, Corporate Profit, and the
struggle for Environmental Justice.
Girdner, Eddie. Monthly Review Press, 2002
History
They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War.
Blanton, DeAnne. University Press
Social
Issues
If I Live to Be 100: Lessons from Centenarians
Ellis, Neenah Crown, 2002
Miscellaneous
Something for Nothing: Luck in America
Lears, T. J. Jackson Viking, 2003
11.
Armory Happenings - Look to see what's happening at an Armory
near you.
28
Apr - 7 May |
Carpet
& Furniture Show |
Morristown
Armory |
2
May |
Dog
Show |
Riverdale
Armory |
10
May |
Boxing |
Jersey
City Armory |
|
Arts
Festival |
Lawrenceville
Armory |
|
Bagpipe
& Brass Band Show |
Teaneck
Armory |
17
May |
Computer
Show |
Teaneck
Armory |
24
May |
Martial
Arts Tournament |
Toms
River Armory |
31
May |
Table
Tennis Tournament |
Westfield
Armory |
12.
National Hurricane Center's P-3 Orion "Hurricane Hunter"
Aircraft will be at the Trenton-Mercer Airport, Mercer County,
NJ on May 7, 2003.
The National Weather Service (NWS) and the NJ Office of Emergency
Management announced the aircraft's visit as part of the National
Hurricane Center's 2003 Hurricane Awareness Tour. The plane
will be situated at Ronson Aviation's General Aviation Hangar,
easily accessed from Exit 3, Scotch Road, I-95, Mercer County,
NJ. The airplane will be available for public tours from 2:30
- 5:00 p.m. The NWS, State Police Aviation, the American Red
Cross and others will also provide displays. Everyone is invited
to tour the aircraft and talk with the crew and representatives
of the National Hurricane Center.
13. Senate Confirms General Blum as the New
Chief, National Guard Bureau (NGB).
MG H. Steven Blum of the Maryland National Guard will be promoted
to Lieutenant General as Chief of the 466,000 members of the
Army and Air National Guard. MG Blum succeeds Lt. Gen Russell
Davis, who retired in August 2002 as NGB Chief. General Blum
has been Chief of Staff for the Commander of NORTHCOM and
NORAD since August. He helped form NORTHCOM, the new organization
responsible for homeland security. The NGB Chief is the senior
uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating,
developing, and coordinating all policies and plans affecting
Army and Air National Guard personnel. Guard forces are currently
involved in the largest mobilization of reserve-component
troops since World War II.
14.
A "Gift of Groceries" Can Help Military Families.
Deployments are on the rise, Guard and Reserve personnel are
being activated by the thousands, and the upheaval in the
lives of military families can involve economic needs as well
as emotional. Sometimes the need is long-term, such as the
loss of a higher paying civilian paycheck. And sometimes the
need is temporary, such as a deployment that takes place before
family finances are in order. More than ever, average Americans
are jumping in to help military families with donated services,
money, and now - groceries by participating in the "Gift
of Groceries." This program allows anyone to purchase
gift certificates through http://www.commissaries.com
or through the toll-free number 877-770-4438. The certificates
can be donated to military families through charitable organizations
or given directly to military friends and family, but only
authorized shoppers can spend them at any of the nearly 280
commissaries serving the U.S. armed services worldwide.
15.
NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center
Announces Upcoming Calendar of Events.
26
April |
1:00
pm |
Thirteen
Months, Thirteen Stories, One Tour |
7
May |
11:00
am |
Remembrance
Day Ceremony |
10
May |
1:00
pm |
Not
at Ease: Photographs of America's Continuing Engagement
with the Vietnam War |
26
May |
11:00
am |
Memorial
Day Ceremony |
14
June |
1:00
pm |
Unknown
Soldier |
27
July |
9:00
am |
5th
Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show |
10
Aug |
9:00
am |
Rain
Date for 5th Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show |
16.
Warrant Officer Selected for Command Position.
LTC Anthony Formica, Commander of the Soldier Support Battalion
(SSB), and CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO)
of the NJ National Guard, jointly announced the selection
of CW2 Maria Rodriguez as Commander of Charlie Company, Soldier
Support Battalion. Chief Rodriguez is assigned as a Military
Personnel Technician in HQ STARC militarily, and works as
a full-time technician Auditor with the United States Property
and Fiscal Office (USP&FO) during the week.
17.
Camden River Sharks will host Military Appreciation Night
- 16 July 2003.
The Camden River Sharks have graciously designated 16 July
as Military Appreciation Night - a night to honor military
members and their families. The River Sharks are a member
of baseball's independent Atlantic League and call Campbell's
Field in Camden their home turf.
18.
FirstGov.Gov Provides Ways to Support U.S. Troops
FirstGov.gov, the government's official web portal, lists
various online government services that help Americans offer
support to service members. Individuals can send messages
to the troops, sign a general card of support, or even buy
a much-needed phone card so the troops have an easy way to
call their loved ones at home. These services are featured
on the http://www.FirstGov.gov
home page under the heading, "Help Our Troops and the
USA." FirstGov.gov connects citizens to more than 22,000
federal websites and all state government portals as well.
Visitors to the site can obtain information, find out about
government services, and transact business directly online.
Currently, more than 1.3 million visitors come to FirstGov.gov
each week.
19.
Veterans Administration (VA) Establishes a Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) Website.
The VA is greatly concerned about reports of the spread of
severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, from Asia to other
parts of the world. SARS is a serious illness characterized
by fever and other flu-like symptoms that progress rapidly
to pneumonia and other problems. The VA Office of Public Health
and Environmental Hazards has set up an informational website:
http://publichealth.va.gov/SARS.
20.
Youth Camp 2003 Update
Mrs. Joanne Grieco, Youth Camp Director, reports that plans
are underway for the 9th Annual National Guard Youth Camp
being held in Sea Girt, New Jersey, on 6-12 July. The deadline
for the submission of applications for campers, staff, and
volunteers is 15 May 2003. Applications can be downloaded
at: http://www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html.
21.
Getting to know New Jersey -
The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the state bug, having been
so designated by Chapter 42 of the Laws of 1974. The Legislature
enacted the bill, A-671, and Governor Brendan T. Byrne signed
it June 20, 1974. They were encouraged by a group of children
from the Sunnybrae School in Hamilton Township, who came to
the State House with a presentation that included a song and
a poem. Despite the official designation, scientists do not
classify the bee as a bug. Despite the official designation,
scientists do not classify the bee as a bug. The bee is listed
in the order Hymenoptera, which means "membranous wings,"
while true bugs are listed in the order Hemiptera.
22.
Interesting but useless facts
- A
honeybee can fly 15 miles an hour.
- A
queen bee can lay 800-1500 eggs a day.
- A
bee has five eyes.
- The
average speed of a housefly is 4.5 miles an hour.
- Mosquitoes
are attracted to people who have recently eaten bananas.