On Saturday, 24 May 2003, this Department hosted the State's Memorial Day Observance at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  In spite of the poor weather conditions, more than 1,000 Veterans, family members, and citizens attended this year's observance and heard Governor James E. McGreevey give the keynote address.  The ceremony was held at the Memorial Walkway, where Kevin Whittner's Eagle Scout Project installed five benches along the Memorial Walkway.  The Department would like to offer special thanks to Kevin Whittner and all of the organizations that helped us with this year's event.

Fifteen senior government officials attended a week long Emergency Preparedness Workshop hosted by DMVA as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Partnership for Peace Program.  This visit was unique in that the visitors represented eight different civilian Ministries as well as the Ministry of Defense.  The Albanians were briefed by The Adjutant General, personnel from DMVA's Homeland Security Center of Excellence, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mayor, Police Chief, and Fire Chief of Hamilton Township, NJ, and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.  Governor James E. McGreevey met with them in his office, and Chairman Jack Connors of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee recognized the delegation while the Assembly was in session leading all there in a standing ovation.  The Chiefs of Staff of eight NJ Departments briefed the Albanians on their particular programs and objectives.  The visitors were taken to Philadelphia to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other historical sites.  They also visited the World Trade Center site prior to their departure for home.

During the month of April, five of our Veterans Service Officers helped the veterans they represented to receive nearly $3 million in monetary awards.  Some of the funds were received retroactively, and the rest will come in during the next twelve months.  The Service Officers, the areas they represent, and the amounts they helped their clients receive are as follows:  Guy Wiener (Camden/Gloucester-$783,273), Joe Salzano (Ocean - $668,693), Edna Jones (Hudson - $589,704), John Valenta (Atlantic/Cape May -- $445,529), and Bill Burrows -- (Cumberland/Salem - $442,630).

This year's DMVA Picnic will be held on Friday, 27 June 2003, at the John F. Mann Recreational Park, Building 6045, Fort Dix, NJ.  Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Reservations must be made by 20 June 2003.  Contact your office rep or Marie Durling at 609-530-4802.

The NJ Advisory Committee for Women Veterans will dedicate their Minutewoman Monument at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, 6 June 2003, at 1 p.m.  This monument will honor all women veterans from the state of New Jersey who served, are serving, and will serve in the military.  Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF (Retired), President of the Board of Directors of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, will serve as our keynote speaker.  Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

5 June 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.	Distinguished & Meritorious Service Medals	Atlantic Cape Community College 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ
10 June 11 a.m.	Vietnam Service Medal	Lawrenceville Armory Eggert Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ
25 June 11 a.m.	Vietnam Service Medal	Cherry Hill Armory Grove St. & Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ

LTC John Nunn and the corresponding OMS Shops have provided outstanding effort in on-going UTES maintenance assistance to the 254^th Regiment (CA), New Jersey Army National Guard, and units from the New York and Pennsylvania Army National Guard.  This assistance includes preparation of equipment and vehicles (wheeled and tracked) for 19K MOS Qualification Training, Annual Training 2003, and scheduled Multiple Unit Training Assemblies at Fort Dix, New Jersey.   All direct and implied tasks have been accomplished with no disruption of any scheduled training or activities.

31 May - 1 June	Table Tennis Tournament	Westfield Armory
20-22 June	Sports Card and Memorabilia Show	Woodbridge Armory
22 June	Emcee Sports Card and Comics Show	Bordentown Armory
28 June	Bead Show	Cherry Hill Armory
28-29 June	Basketball Tournament	Jersey City Armory

Each year about 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurring stroke.  It's the 3^rd leading cause of death.  To protect yourself and your family, learn the warning signs:

·          Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

·          Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding.

·          Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

·          Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

·          Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience or see anyone experiencing any of these symptoms.  Time Lost is Brain Lost.

14 Jun	1 p.m.	Unknown Soldier (author lecture/film presentation)
27 July	9 a.m.	5th Annual Classic Car and Motorcycle Show Rain Date:  Sunday, 10 August 2003
8 Sep	9 a.m.	Golf Outing Olde York Country Club
19 Sep	11 a.m.	POW/MIA GSM Recognition Day Ceremony
21 Sep	11 a.m.	Rolling Thunder POW/MIA Awareness Motorcycle Run

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

The state shell is the knobbed whelk, Busycon carica gmelin, having been so designated by Chapter 89 of the Public Laws of 1995, signed by Governor Christine Todd Whitman April 13, 1995.  Commonly known as the conch shell, the shell of the knobbed whelk is large, solid, and pear-shaped, coiling from left to right, as seen from its apex.  It is yellowish gray in color, with brownish purple axial streaks in juveniles.  The shell is found on all beaches and bays of New Jersey.

·          Time flies like an arrow.  Fruit flies like a banana.

·          When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.

·          To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

·          If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

·          A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

J            A snail breathes through its foot.

J            An ant's sense of smell is stronger than a dog's.

J            Shrimp can only swim backwards.

J            Frogs can't swallow with their eyes open.

J            A cat's lower jar cannot move sideways.