News for Your Views
NGB Media contest gives kudos to DMAVA
PAO
The National Guard Bureau recently announced the winners
of the 2006 NGB Media Contest. There were several members
from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Public Affairs Office who received placed in the competition.
Hooah!!
In the AF print results:
CAT C - Magazine Format
Winner: Guard Life
CAT J - Stand-Alone Photo
Second: Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen
In the Army print results
CAT J - Single or Stand-Alone Photograph
Winner: Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven
In the Army broadcast results
Cat H - Television Information Program
Second: New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Cat I - Television Spot/Promo Production
Winner: New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

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.

Motorcycle riders invited on ride to
three Veterans Homes
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. The first planning meeting will be held
on March 9, at 9:30 a.m. via VTC in Conference Room A, DMAVA
Headquarters in Lawrenceville. If you have any questions or
need any additional information feel free to contact him directly.

Enlisted Association invites all to
golf tournament April 23
Join the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New
Jersey at its Second Annual Golf Tournament to be held on
Monday, April 23 at the Gamblers Ridge Golf Club in Cream
Ridge, N.J. All proceeds will go to the scholarship program
that benefits the children, spouses and eligible members of
the Enlisted Association.
A flyer for registration as well as cart and hole sponsorship
is located on the Association website: www.eang-nj.org.

Marriage Enrichment Seminar will be
held May 4-6
By Marie Durling, Family Programs Specialist
The next Marriage Enrichment Seminar will be May 4-6 in Ocean
City, N.J. (hotel details will follow when the office receives
your registration form). Soldiers who sent their registration
form for February will not have to submit another one, but
do have to call 609-562-0739 or e-mail marie.durling@nj.ngb.army.mil
to confirm that attendance in May. This weekend is for Army
National Guard Soldiers and their spouses only. At this time
we do not have funding for the Air Guard. There are 13 openings
for May, so if you are interested, please submit your application
ASAP (call for a registration form). The next Marriage Enrichment
Seminar will be in September (date and location TBA).

Total eclipse of the moon on Saturday
evening
A total eclipse of the moon will happen on Saturday, March
3. This is the only opportunity this year to view a total
lunar eclipse from the East coast....so don't miss it! Timing
is almost perfect. Sunset is 5:53 p.m., EST; moon rise is
5:47 p.m. The eclipse will already have started at that time.
Totality will last until 6:58 p.m. Time of maximum eclipse
is at 6:20 p.m. Here are links to two Web pages about the
eclipse, from NASA and Astronomy.com
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/12feb_lunareclipse.htm.
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=5221.

JT2DC conducts Soldier of the Year competition
By Sgt. Karl Cheney, NJARNG, JT2DC
On February 24, New Jersey Army National Guard’s finest
soldiers competed for a place in the Soldier of the Year (SOY)
competition. The State’s competition was conducted at
Fort Dix, at the Joint Training and Training Development Center
(JT2DC). Winners go on to compete in the Region’s SOY
Competition to be held at Troy, N.Y. Each soldier was tested
on their proficiency in Warrior Skills.
JT2DC provided evaluators for the competition which included:
M16 proficiency
Land navigation
Evaluate a casualty
Self and equipment decontamination
Visual Signal Techniques
If you would like more information on the SOY competition,
or would like to inquire about assistance from JT2DC for preparing
for SOY, please contact Sgt. 1st Class Brent Ludlow at brent.ludlow@nj.nbg.army.mil
609-562-0543.

N.J. Army Guard South Region recruiters
are bringing ‘em in!
By Capt. Jason Fetterolf, PAO, 50th IBCT
The New Jersey Army National Guard south region not only exceeded
its recruiting goals in Fiscal Year 2006, but will also likely
exceed objectives for FY 2007. This is according to Staff
Sgt. Richard St Pierre, a recruiter at the Lawrenceville armory,
in support of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Statewide, recruiters brought 186 more Soldiers than the goal
into the N.J. Army National Guard. For the South Region, the
recruiting goal of 725 Soldiers was surpassed by 117 new Soldiers.
By the middle of February, just four months into the 2007
recruiting year, the South Region has already recruited more
than 50 percent of its objective for the year.
The New Jersey Army National Guard has two recruiting regions
– North and South. The South Region includes armories
in Woodbridge, Somerset, and Flemington and all units south
of those locations, according to Master Sgt. Harriet D’Angelo,
recruiting supervisor for St Pierre. Master Sgt. D’Angelo
also feels that the G-RAP program has contributed to the recruiting
number increases in the eighteen months. G-Rap (Guard Recruiting
Assistant Program) pays incentives to soldiers for referring
new Guardsmen.
Staff Sgt. St Pierre states that recruiting duty requires
lots of hard work, but is also very rewarding because he can
see the positive impact he has had on new Soldiers when they
come into the Guard. And like the Soldiers he recruits, St.
Pierre is furthering his career. He has accepted a position
with the N.J. Department of Homeland Security.

News from the Paterson VSO
The Paterson VSO Office, represented by Titus Osuagwu, attended
the recently held Veterans’ Fair/Drive hosted by Congressman
Bill Pascrell Jr held at the VFW Post 6255 in Cedar Grove.
The fair included PSE&G Low income Heat and Energy Assistance
Program and NJ Healthcare System Community Outreach Program
and Verizon Telephone Company.
“We have over 30 (thirty) thousand Vets in Passaic County,
and out of which 11,000 vets are in Cedar Grove alone. Let
us adopt the spirit of Vets helping Vets,” said Congressman
Pascrell.
The Paterson office has continued to function in the absence
of a full time VSO. David Joost, from the VA Regional Office,
has continued to lend his expertise by supporting the Paterson
Office as a visiting VSO, two/three days per week.

All Army Women’s Basketball team
at Fort Hamilton
Are you looking for something to do this weekend? The All
Army Women’s Basketball Team will be at Fort Hamilton
Sports and Fitness Center, 402 MacArthur Road, this weekend.
They will play in the center tonight at 7:30 p.m., Saturday
at 10 a.m. and Sunday, March 4 at noon. There will also be
a game on Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Riverbank Manhattan,
Harlem, N.Y. For information on Fort Hamilton, visit http://www.hamilton.army.mil/.

Gang Awareness Seminar presented by
Family Programs
The New Jersey National Guard Family Programs and the New
Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission invite you to come to
the Gang Awareness Seminar being held on Saturday, March
10, from 2-5 p.m. at the Bordentown Armory. Briefings will
be given by Lt. Ed Torres of the N.J. Juvenile Justice Commission,
1st Lt. Raymond Sackman, of Joint Forces Headquarters, Anti-Terrorism
Officer and Amanda Balas, NJNG State Youth Coordinator.
There will be separate briefings for parents and children,
fifth grade and higher. For more information and to register,
contact Amanda Balas at 609-562-0742 or amanda.balas@us.army.mil.

The 1-114th Infantry Officers’ Association’s
2007 Annual Dinner/Dance will be hosted this year on board
the Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise Ship on Saturday, March
17.
Tickets are $45 per person or $90 per couple; Please RSVP
no later than March 7. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner,
dancing and socializing beginning at 7 p.m. and concluding
at 10 p.m.
For more information or forms contact the 1-114th Infantry
Officers’ Association at:
1-114th Infantry Officers’ Association
Commander, 1st BN (M), 114th IN
ATTN: Capt. David Hampton
658 North Evergreen Ave.
Woodbury, NJ 08096-1399

Change of Command Ceremony
Col. Kevin C. Hegarty will assume command of the 57th Troop
Command on March 4 at 11 a.m. at the Atlantic City Armory.
The outgoing commander is Col. John DiNapoli. Col. Jorge
J. Martinez will assume command of the 50th Infantry Brigade
Combat Team from Col. Frank S. Caruso on March 18, at 2
p.m. on the drill floor of the Lawrenceville Armory.

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.

Pancake Breakfast to support the Troops
and families
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.

Older Americans Month Expo
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.

Retirement Dinner in honor of Col.
Brian Webster
Friday, March 16
Borgata Casino & Hotel, (Salon C 2nd Floor of the Borgata)
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost $40 RSVP NLT March 12
Capt. Yvonne Mayes 609-645-6206 or Connie Cisek 609-562-0901
Checks Payable (177FW Central Fund)
Business Casual
Retirement Dinner in honor of Chief Master Sgt.
John Artigliere
Saturday, March 17
McGuire AFB Club
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost $35 RSVP NLT March 9
Connie Cisek 609-562-0901, Checks Payable (Air Officers
Fund)
Business Attire
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

Honorable Mention
“The On Guard” is searching
for charter Air Guard members
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.

New Directory Assistance number for
state offices
Effective immediately as part of the cost-saving initiatives,
employees who need to use directory assistance will dial:
1-602-293-4907
Numbers such as “411,” (area code) 555-1212 or
any other directory assistance number are not to be used.
This new number will be used when calling from a department
land-line, cell phone or Blackberry. When calling for assistance,
you will hear, “Welcome to Directory Assistance for
the State of New Jersey. Cell phone users should NOT use the
auto-connect feature which costs the state and additional
15 cents for each such call. State cell phone and Blackberry
users are directed to add this number to their dialing directories.
Another way to further cut costs when looking for telephone
numbers is the Web’s phone books. Whenever possible
these sites should be used as the primary source of directory
assistance.
Verizon Super Pages: http://www.superpages.com/
AT&T: http://www.anywho.com/
SBC Yellow Pages: http://www.yellowpages.com/
Telephone and contact information on any state employee can
be found at http://njdirect.state.nj.us/.
This new system does not apply to the two New Jersey Air National
Guard facilities: the 108th ARW, McGuire Air Force Base and
the 177th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard Base, Egg Harbor
Township.

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.

ChalleNGe program looking for mentors
Think you’d like to be a mentor to a young adult in
the ChalleNGe program? Make a difference in the life of someone
who is turning their life around for the better. ChalleNGe
provides a disciplined environment that fosters academics,
leadership development, physical fitness and personal growth
for unemployed youth who have ceased to attend high school.
The Academy will be looking for volunteers who are willing
to be a role model and help mentor a ChalleNGe cadet. Stay
tuned for more information in future DMAVA Highlights.

NJ Bar Association offers free legal
assistance program
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.

Microsoft software available for Army
Guardsmen
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” program
helps service members become teachers
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.

2007 Freedom Award Nomination season
open
The 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Nomination
deadline is Feb. 28. Please visit the ESGR website at www.esgr.mil
to nominate supportive employers for this award.

NJARNG Honor Guard Program
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.

Hire A Hero – new program to help
find jobs
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/

Discounts offered for State employees
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.

Free Military Handbooks on website
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

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency
Hotline is:
1-866-232-5798
You will hear the following message:
You have reached the New Jersey Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs Emergency Information Number. Please listen
to the following menu choices and select an appropriate option:
State employees – press 1
Federal employees – press 2
National Guard employees – press 3

For the Families
Youth Camp Forms Available
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.

TRICARE Dental Program offers drawing
for children
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.

Deployed Military Spouses Assistance
Program Award
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

ACS at Fort Dix offers programs to Soldiers
and family members
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.

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.
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.

Family Readiness Council offers Tier
I and II grants
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.

Scholarship, Education News
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.

NJ Vietnam Memorial Foundation offers
scholarships
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.

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has a scholarship program
for the children of MOAA members as well as the children of
active duty, retired, Reserve and National Guard enlisted
personnel. The application period for the 2007-2008 school
year deadline is March 1. For more information visit www.moaa.org,
and click the Educational Aid button.

Defense Commissary Agency offers scholarships
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced last week that the application process for its Scholarships for Military Children program has now begun for 2007. Applications for the $1,500 scholarships are available at 264 commissaries worldwide, or can be downloaded through links at http://www.commissaries.com/, http://www.militaryscholar.org/, or http://www.dodea.edu/.
The program is open to unmarried children under the age of 21 (23 if enrolled in school) of military active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired personnel. Eligibility will be determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.
The applicant must be planning to attend, or already attending, an accredited college, or university full-time in the fall term of 2007, or enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applications for 2007, which includes an essay on "how and why" the applicant would change an historical event, must be turned in at a commissary by close of business on February 21, 2007. At least one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants.

Colleges
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.

Scholarship information on BBB Military
Line
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

Position Vacancies
Position vacancy for officer in Albania
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.

Veterans Information
DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues.
The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:
Feb. 28, Mar. 1-2 |
Hamilton Mall |
March 14*, 15, 16 |
Paramus park Shopping Center |
April 4-6 |
Cherry Hill Mall |
May 16, 17*, 18 |
Ocean County Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these dates.
The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the identified
dates.

Sports and Entertainment
NJNG is looking for runners
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.

Nutter Run beneficiary is Guard daughter,
granddaughter
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.

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.

Association News
Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of New Jersey
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.

NGANJ has busy calendar for members
in 2007
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.


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