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NJ Dept of Military and
Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General

Brig Gen Maria Falca-Dodson
Deputy Adjutant General

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Contacting us is easy!

Office of the Assistant Commisioner

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

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Thought for the day

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice..."

     .Henry Ford

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New Jersey Freedom Loans

What is a Freedom Loan?

* Up to $10,000

* Annual APR 6%

* Term: 5 years (no pre-payment penalty)

* Unsecured Loan (no collateral required)

Who is eligible to apply?

NJ residents who are:

* Members of the National Guard or Reserve

* Mobilized for one year or longer to fight in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) – excluding routine training.

Or

* Served 90 or more consecutive days in the GWOT on federal or state active duty (excluding routing training) and have received orders extending cumulative active duty a year or longer.

How do I apply?

* Contact participating banks. Call or visit your local branch office to obtain an application.

* Guardmembers, Reservists, or family members with Power of Attorney must submit copies of current mobilization orders with the bank’s Freedom Loan application.

Current participants:

Commerce Bank
1-888-751-9000

Credit Union of NJ
609-538-4061, ext. 401

First Morris Bank & Trust
1-888-530-2265

Fleet
1-800-841-4000

Manasquan Savings Bank
732-223-4450

North Jersey Federal
Credit Union
1-888-78NJFCU

Peapack-Gladstone Bank
(908) 719-BANK

Pennsville National Bank
856-678-6006

PNC
1-866-PNC-4USA

Sovereign Bank
1-877-391-6365

Sun National Bank
1-800-691-7701


      

Colonel James Lovas presented NJ's Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Medals to 107 veterans at a ceremony held at the Hackettstown Armory on Wednesday, 28 July 2004.  Senator Leonard Lance, Assemblywomen Connie Meyers and Alison McHose, and representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Guy Greggs and Congressman Scott Garrett's offices spoke to the veterans briefly before the awards were presented.  Special thanks to the following DMVA employees who provided their expertise and assistance on this special day:  Ms. Kim Castner, served as Mistress of Ceremony and was assisted by Karen Hansen, Michele Johnson, and Kelli Forester; Ms. Monica Banca and Ms. Lisa Szymanski, Hunterdon and Warren County Veteran Service Officers, provided refreshments; and John Mulligan and Charlie Rissmiller of our Armorer staff for their assistance in setting up for the ceremony. 

The Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, invites you and your immediate family to Family Appreciation Day on 21 August 2004 (Rain Date:  22 August) at the National Guard Training Center located on the Atlantic Ocean at Sea Girt, NJ.  This day is being set aside to thank the families of all our Airmen and Soldiers and DMVA employees.  The fun begins at 10 a.m. and the day's activities will feature amusement rides, games, pony rides, clowns, etc. for the kids, and live performances of Doo Wop, Blues, Jazz, Rap, Big Band, Country, and Spanish music for everyone to enjoy. There will be appearances by Miss America, a USO troupe, WWE wrestlers, and the New Jersey National Guard's very own 63^rd Army Band.  With games, great food, and an evening of fireworks planned, you won't want to miss the fun!  So come one and come all and join us for a great day in the sun!

DVP Grant Writer, Jack Stoffa, in conjunction with Veterans Haven superintendent Bob Durante, have successfully applied for a $354,313 grant from CPAC to be used in the operation of Veterans Haven.  This grant will pave the way for additional grant awards from other state and federal funding entities for our "homeless veterans population".  Mr. Stoffa and Mr. Durante deserve kudos for their persistence in developing this most prestigious link to funds for our needy veterans.

The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State's veterans.

Check and to see what's happening at an Armory near you.

In 1949, Holocaust survivor Josef Ross, then a teenager, promised himself that he would one day thank those who had liberated him and give back to his adopted country in a meaningful way.  Now a successful businessman and resident of Fort Lee, NJ, Ross plans to make good on his promise.

On Wednesday, August 18, he and his wife, Roz, will announce that they are endowing a scholarship that provides for college expenses (up to full funding of tuition, room and board for up to four years) to educate children of members of the United States military who perished while serving their country during the current conflicts.  Known as the Ross Family Survivor to Survivors Scholarship, the $250,000 endowment will provide funding for the survivors to attend Ramapo College of New Jersey.  The program is open to students throughout the country.  For more information contact the Office of Admissions at Ramapo College of New Jersey, (201) 684-7300.

The DOD and US Postal Service officials recently announced initiatives to improve the absentee ballot process for military people overseas.  The goal of the new process is to move the ballots faster and with greater control.  Under the initiatives, the Postal Service will:

s          Use special sorting procedures to segregate the voting materials.

s          Send them by Express Mail to the military mail "gateways" in San Francisco, New York, and Miami.

s          Have airlines give the materials the highest priority in getting them to their destinations.

The military postal system will, in turn, give the materials priority as they travel to service people in theater.  Ballots will flow back to the US with the same special handling, but will also receive postal cancellations at the APO or FPO to accurately record the date and time the ballot is received.

DOD and Postal Service officials recommend military people and their families follow Federal Voting Assistance Program guidelines and

s          Request absentee ballots by the week of September 6^th.

s          Mail completed ballots back by the week of October 11^th.

*         Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, never telephoned his wife or mother because they were both deaf.

*         During his lifetime, artist Vincent Van Gogh only sold one of his paintings (The Red Vineyard).

*         After the U.S Civil War, about 33%-50% of all U.S. paper currency in circulation was counterfeit.

*         China is the world's oldest known continuous civilization.

*         Great Britain was the first country to issue postage stamps in 1840.

*         The 1912 Olympics was the last Olympics that gave out gold medals that were made entirely out of gold.

*         An olive tree can live up to 1500 years.

In 1998, falls in the home and community caused or led to 15,900 deaths.  All age groups are vulnerable, but older adults are most risk.  In fact, 80% of those receiving fatal injury are over the age of 65.  Falls continue to be the major reason for injury-related death, injury, and hospital admission for older adults.

Follow these steps to prevent slips and falls in your home:

1.      Keep the floor clear.  Reduce clutter and safely tuck telephone and electrical cords out of walkways.

2.      Keep the floor clean.  Clean up grease, water, and other liquids immediately.  Don't wax floors.

3.      Use non-skid throw rugs to reduce your chance of slipping on linoleum.

4.      Install handrails in stairways.  Have grab bars in the bathroom (by toilets and in tub/shower).

5.      Be aware that climbing and reaching high places will increase your chance of a fall.  Use a sturdy step stool with handrails when these tasks are necessary.

6.      Make sure living areas are well lit.  We can all trip and fall in the dark.

Today is Friday, July 30th.  It is the 212^th day of the year, with 155 days remaining.

s          1619 - The first representative assembly in America convened in Jamestown, VA (House of Burgesses).

s          1909 - US Army accepts delivery of 1st military airplane.

s          1942 - The WAVES were created by legislation signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The members of the Women's Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service were a part of the U.S. Navy.

s          1956 - The phrase "In God We Trust" was adopted as the U.S. national motto.

s          1965 - U.S. President Johnson signed into law Social Security Act that established Medicare and Medicaid. 

s          1974 - The U.S. House of Representatives Judici8ary Committee voted to impeach President Nixon for blocking an investigation and for abuse of power.

s          1975 -- Jimmy Hoffa, former Teamsters Union president, disappeared in Michigan.  His remains were never found.

s          2001 - Lance Armstrong became the first American to win three consecutive Tours de France.

As the New Jersey National Guard deploys soldiers and airmen around the globe, the families that are left behind need our support and assistance.  Can we count on your help?

To reach any NJ National Guard Family Assistance Center -

Call toll free 888-859-0352