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NOVEMBER 3, 2022

READY TO SERVE ★ PROUD TO HAVE SERVED

COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

The NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs wishes Veterans throughout the state and country a happy Veterans Day. Thank you for your service and sacrifice in defense of our nation and freedoms. It is an honor to serve you and your families.


At DMAVA, we believe that every day is Veterans Day as we serve and care for our veterans across the state, including within our three nursing Homes and at our two transitional housing facilities.


DMAVA will recognize Veterans Day by participating in and supporting events across the state in honor of New Jersey’s 311,000 Veterans. We encourage you to participate and show your gratitude in any way you can.

Thanks for reading. We look forward to continuing the conversation.

We encourage you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.

Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, D.O.

The Adjutant General & Commissioner

BG Lisa Hou

ANNOUNCEMENT

New Jersey partnership announced with the Republic of Cyprus


DMAVA Public Affairs Office | October 26, 2022


TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey National Guard has been selected as the new state partner for the Republic of Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Through the National Guard's State Partnership Program, National Guard units throughout the United States conduct military-to-military engagements, guided by U.S. State Department foreign policy goals, and develop person-to-person ties with their partners.


The Republic of Cyprus is New Jersey's second SPP partner. The New Jersey National Guard recently marked 21 years of formal partnership with the Republic of Albania.

Read Full Press Release

FEATURED EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

DMAVA Calendar

DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present at most of these events. Check details to confirm.

Veterans Day Calendar

Community Calendar

We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. 
View Full Calendar

SPOTLIGHT

The Benefits Guide has been updated effective October 12, 2022.
Get Current Edition

Veterans Day Discounts

From free meals to big discounts on shopping trips and favorite items, military Veterans Day discounts are a November favorite. But with thousands of Veterans Day discounts to choose from, how do you find the best ones?

Military.com has compiled a list of 2022 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies on restaurants, goods, services and events. Visit daily as the list is updated frequently!


Also, see a long list of Veterans Day discounts at VA News.

VETERANS SERVICES

Veteran Receives HS Diploma on 100th Birthday

Emil J. "John" Turos was a resident of New Jersey and attended Passaic High School in 1939-40, but did not graduate due to illness and then being called to active duty with the United States Army in World War II. 

Due to the efforts of his daughter, Kay, the family was delighted to present him with a New Jersey High School Diploma on his 100th birthday on October 20, 2022.

Known as "Operation Recognition", New Jersey will award a state high school diploma to Veterans who left high school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.   

Congratulations and Happy Birthday, John! Thank you for your service.  

Medal Ceremony

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a New Jersey State Medals Ceremony at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey, October 27, 2022.

View Images

Donation for Veterans Haven North

Bruce Hoag (third from left), from Hawk Pointe Golf Club, presents Veterans Haven North with a donation check from their “Warrior Cup Charity Gold Outing” held on October 10, 2022. Veterans Haven North Veteran residents George G., Luis A., and Chris R. are pictured with Bruce.

NJ Veterans' Benefits Hotline

888-865-8387

vbb@dmava.nj.gov

ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE

NJ Army National Guard

Citizen Soldier

"The opportunities are endless, I wish I knew about the National Guard earlier, but it's never too late."

PV2 Greg Guempel, an electrician from Seaside Heights, also with Bravo Company, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, talks about why the zero range is important and his feelings on joining the New Jersey Army National Guard at the age of 27.
View Video
View Images

NJ Air National Guard

Africa

108th Wing Security Forces Squadron members are making their mark while assigned to the 409th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron with the U.S. Africa Command. The deployed New Jersey Guardsmen secure, protect and defend Air Force weapons systems, air base assets, personnel and resources.

Join Our Team

100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment
NJ Army National Guard
NJ Air National Guard

DMAVA DEPARTMENTS

Trunk or Treat

The New Jersey National Guard's Child & Youth Program held its annual Fall Fest & "Trunk or Treat" at the Joint Military & Family Assistance Center in Bordentown, New Jersey, October 20, 2022. The Child & Youth Program events are open to all military service members and their families.

View Images

Voices of Immigrant Veterans

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the NJ Department of State, will be hosting the 2022 New Jersey History Conference, Freedom Seeker, Colonizer and Enslaved: Immigration and Migration in New Jersey, virtually on November 4, 2022.

The one-day, virtual event will explore the history, cultural heritage, and contemporary issues facing immigrant communities through the lens of New Jersey studies.

Museum Assistant Curator Carol Fowler will be a featured panel speaker during "Becoming American Through Military Service", held during the second afternoon session.

Learn More

STATE PARTNERS

RevolutionNJ Call for Photographs

RevolutionNJ is looking for photographs highlighting New Jersey’s diverse history and population to use in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States!


New Jersey has been home to diverse communities for centuries. Please share with us your photos that reflect that history. Historic sites are for more than just looking. We want to see today’s visitors interacting with your site. Seeing the interaction helps create an ENGAGING experience to show how one can learn by doing.

Send photos and questions to Isabella Sangaline at Isabella.Sangaline@sos.nj.gov. Please put “RevNJ PHOTO SUBMISSION” in the subject line.

RevolutionNJ Quarterly Meeting

Please join Crossroads of the American Revolution and the New Jersey Historical Commission on Wednesday, November 9 from 12pm to 1pm on Zoom for the next update session on plans for RevolutionNJ, New Jersey's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, including a sneak peek at the new RevNJ website.

Register

Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau

We know that the holidays can be a tough time for some of our sister and brother Veterans. So we are going to be hosting our inaugural VETS-GIVING, in which we will be providing $25 Visa gift cards to Veteran families in need throughout Ocean County this Thanksgiving.

If you or someone you know would like to help and sponsor this event, we are accepting donations in the form of gift cards until November 18, 2022. We will be distributing the gift cards on Monday November 21, 2022.

Burlington County Offering Gold Star IDs

The Burlington County Clerk’s Office is now issuing Gold Star Family identification cards to the spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners and children of military members who died while serving on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces.
Learn More

NJ State Agencies

FEDERAL PARTNERS

VA opens health care eligibility for Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11 Veterans under PACT Act


Washington — On October 1, The Department of Veterans Affairs will expand and extend eligibility for VA health care for certain Veterans of the Gulf Wars and post-9/11 era.

This expansion will increase health care eligibility for hundreds of thousands of toxic-exposed Veterans. Additionally, VA has already expanded health care eligibility for certain Veterans of the Vietnam War. More detailed information about this expansion can be found on VA.gov/PACT.

President Biden signed the bipartisan PACT Act into law August 10, authorizing one of the largest expansions of VA health care and benefits in U.S. history. Veterans can go to VA.gov/PACT to apply for health care or learn more about what this bill means for them and their families. Read the full press release.

Eligibility Extension on VA Family Caregivers Program

Washington — 10/1/2022  

VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is expanding to include eligible Veterans and family caregivers of all eras.

Previously, PCAFC was only available to eligible Veterans who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This expansion opens the program to eligible Veterans who served after May 7, 1975, and before Sept. 11, 2001.

PCAFC provides caregivers of eligible Veterans with resources, education, financial assistance, health insurance, beneficiary travel, peer support and more. The program is a cornerstone of VA health care, ensuring that Veterans get the world-class care they deserve and that caregivers get the comprehensive support they need. Read the full press release.

2023 VA Disability Increase

In this episode of #theSITREP, the host discusses the new, 2023 VA Disability Compensation rates based on Social Security's Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Official compensation tables will be provided by VA in December 2022. Please refer here for the Social Security Administration's official notice regarding COLA. To watch the short video please go to #theSITREP. 

VRRAP

If you're a Veteran who lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA may have a solution for you. The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for a variety of high-demand jobs so you can get back to work.


If you qualify, apply soon! The VA will stop accepting new VRRAP enrollments on December 11, 2022 - or when they reach either the funding or participant limit, whichever comes first.

VA Life Insurance

Important changes are coming to VA Life Insurance programs. Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) is launching on Jan. 1, 2023, as a new guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance program for service-connected Veterans. VA’s current offering for service-connected Veterans—Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI)—closes to new enrollment after Dec. 31, 2022. Veterans currently enrolled in S-DVI may keep their coverage or switch to VALife.

While both VALife and S-DVI cover Veterans with any level of service-connected disability (0-100%), there are key program differences to consider before deciding which program is right for you.

So, what is the difference between VA Life Insurance and Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance? Read more at VA News.

FEDVIP Open Enrollment

Sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all dental and vision insurance program. It replaced the former TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). In general, retired uniformed service members, their families, and survivors are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, FEDVIP vision coverage. Please note: Opportunities to enroll outside of open season are limited.

The Federal Benefits Open Season is your annual opportunity to enroll in, change, or cancel a FEDVIP dental and/or vision plan. This year, open season runs from November 14 through December 12, 2022, with coverage effective January 1, 2023.
Learn More

Virtual Benefits Fair

The Virtual Benefits Fair is an online health fair that houses 2023 FEDVIP plan information in a single location, allowing military families to browse exhibits, download plan brochures, register for educational webinars and chat with BENEFEDS and FEDVIP representatives. BENEFEDS is the secure online portal to enroll in FEDVIP.

Log in anytime during the Federal Benefits Open Season, from November 14 to December 12, 2022. Representatives will be available to take your questions during the four live chat days:

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022 10 am-5 pm (ET)

Tuesday, Nov 22, 2022 10 am-5 pm (ET)

Thursday, Dec 1, 2022 10 am-5 pm (ET)

Thursday, Dec 8, 2022 10 am-5 pm (ET)

Learn More and Register


USFHP Lunch & Learn

The Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) @ Saint Vincents is a TRICARE® Prime military health plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD). Lunch and Learn briefings are now scheduled in New Jersey.

Learn More and RSVP

Featured Links

#VetResources

Subscribe to #VetResources to receive a weekly newsletter from the VA for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Veterans Home at Paramus

Members of the Bergen County Police Association hosted a barbeque for the residents at the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus. 

Birdies for the Brave

DMAVA was well represented at the Annual Birdies for the Brave charity event at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, NJ on October 18, 2022.

Brigadier General Timothy Coakley and Brigadier General Patrick Kennedy were guest speakers at the event. In addition, a crew of volunteers from the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey exhibited military artifacts for the attendees. View Images.

Birdies for the Brave is a military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA Tour that is dedicated to supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since 2005, the Tour has joined with PGA Tour players and corporate partners to raise millions of dollars for military homefront groups that provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded warriors and military families.

One of the beneficiaries of this year's event at TPC Jasna Polana was New Jersey's National Guard State Family Readiness Council.

Backpacks For Life

The terrific folks at Backpacks For Life provided 60 filled backpacks with personal items for the Union County Veterans Stand Down on October 20, 2022. Great job. Thank you from all of us at DMAVA.
Image Courtesy New Jersey Veterans Network Facebook

IN THE NEWS

100-year-old WWII Veteran Honored with Street Renaming in New Jersey Hometown

October 19, 2022 by ABC7NY

EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) -- One New Jersey town is honoring a 100-year-old World War II Veteran by renaming a street after her.

The street that Gladys Blount used to live on, North Oraton Parkway and Davis Place, is now named after her.

Seventy-seven years ago, Blount was shipped from her hometown of East Orange, New Jersey, to England to help in WWII.

Full Story and Video

Iowa, New Jersey Guard Chaplains Make History Together

October 24, 2022 by Staff Sgt. Tawny Kruse, Joint Force Headquarters - Iowa National Guard | Photo credit: DVIDS

JOHNSTON, Iowa – Two National Guard chaplains have become the first women to serve as state chaplains in their states and the country. 

Lt. Col. Martha Kester will serve the Iowa National Guard, while Lt. Col. Heather Simon will serve the New Jersey National Guard.

Both Kester and Simon started on Oct. 1, allowing them to claim the title together. Chaplain (Col.) Laurence Bazer, deputy director of the National Guard Bureau Office of the Joint Chaplains, commended them for their achievement.

“These two women represent the best of our Guard and you could not have picked better individuals to lead their states,” said Bazer. “They’re going to bring their wisdom and experiences to help not just their states, but our entire Army Guard chaplaincy, to greater levels.” 
Full Story

NEVER FORGET
BG Doyle Cemetery

In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice.

November 2, 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SGT Joel Perez

U.S. Army

Newark, New Jersey

November 3, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SFC Daniel Pratt

U.S. Army

Williamstown, New Jersey

November 4, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom

CPT James M. Gurbisz

U.S. Army
Eatontown, New Jersey

November 5, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SSG John D. Linde

U.S. Army
Union, New Jersey

November 8, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SGT Bryan L. Freeman, Jr.

U.S. Army

Lumberton, New Jersey

November 11, 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SPC Marlon P. Jackson

U.S. Army
Jersey City, New Jersey

November 12, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SSG Stephen J. Sutherland

U.S. Army

West Deptford, New Jersey

November 14, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom

MAJ Ramon J. Mendoza Jr.

U.S. Marine Corps

Morris Plains, New Jersey

November 14, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SPC Eric G. Palacios Rivera

U.S. Army

Atlantic City, New Jersey

November 15, 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom

SPC Ryan Travis Baker

U.S. Army

Browns Mills, New Jersey

November 15, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Cpl Marc T. Ryan

U.S. Marine Corps

Gloucester City, New Jersey

"But on the battlefield their feet stood fast, and in an instant at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory."

~ Pericles
NJ Fallen Heroes Memorial

VETERANS' ORAL HISTORIES

Richard Bammert

Cold War / Iraqi Freedom 

John Booth

Cold War
Veterans History Project

 HISTORY 

Atlantic City Hotel 1943

November 2, 1783

General George Washington delivered his farewell address to the Continental Army from his headquarters at Rockingham, near Princeton.

November 3, 1791

General Arthur St. Clair’s army, including a battalion recruited in New Jersey, met disastrous defeat by Indians under the command of Chief Little Turtle near the Wabash River in Ohio. Over the course of its service, from May through November, 1791, 328 officers and men served in the New Jersey battalion. Of these, 34 deserted, 5 died of undisclosed causes, 51 were killed or went missing (presumed dead) on November 4, and 8 were wounded but escaped.

November 9, 1812

Marcus Ward was born in Newark. Ward became a leading businessman and philanthropist and a director of the National State Bank. During the Civil War his efforts on behalf of soldier welfare earned him the title of “the soldier’s friend.” Newark’s Ward General Hospital, established to care for wounded soldiers, was named for him and he established the Soldiers Home in the city to care for injured veterans. 

November 11, 1918

At 11:00 AM the World War I Armistice began, ending active combat for the National Guard soldiers of the New Jersey National Guard in the 29th Division and drafted Jerseymen in the 78th and other divisions and New Jerseyans in the USMC and Navy.

November 16, 1776

A British and Hessian force stormed Fort Washington, New York, and captured 2,600 Americans. Morale on the New Jersey side of the Hudson, where soldiers watched the disaster, plummeted, and the Americans evacuated supplies inland as British raiders began to cross the river, isolating Fort Lee.

November 16, 1945

The United States Army Air Force returned control of Convention Hall in Atlantic City, used as a training headquarters since July, 1942, to civilian authorities.

Battleship New Jersey

It’s a great time of year to tour our nation’s largest, most decorated battleship on the waterfront in Camden, NJ.

The Battleship New Jersey is open for tours every day from 10 AM to 4 PM. Climb inside the 16-inch gun turret, walk through the bridge, learn how the crew lived aboard this floating city and more! To learn more, click here.

DID YOU KNOW?

State Partnership Program

September 2022 marked the 21st anniversary in the relationship between the New Jersey National Guard and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, which has evolved through the State Partnership Program. The Program links a component of the Department of Defense – a state's National Guard – with the armed forces of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.
State Partnership Program

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Fiscal Division

The Fiscal Division would like to recognize Ms. Soniya Reddy (left) and Mrs. Felicia Hornbaker. Soniya recently recognized that an employee was feeling ill in the ladies room, almost passing out. She immediately notified Felicia by text who came in to assist. Most of the office had already departed for the day. They notified 911 who came to assess the employee and determined her blood sugar was low. They released her and Felicia drove her home that day.

Thanks to Felicia and Soniya for acting when they did to make sure one of their coworkers was safe!

DMAVA QUICK LINKS

Veterans Service Offices

Request Military Records

Family Programs Office

Veterans Memorial Homes

NJ State Medals

Military Funeral Honors

Doyle Veterans Cemetery
DMAVA Homepage

RESOURCES

DMAVA CAREERS
DMAVA Career

We Are Hiring!

At the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs we take our work in support of Veterans, Servicemembers and their families very seriously. Whether supporting our Veterans with nursing care, transitional housing, or assisting them in navigating access to their Veteran benefits, the Department provides valuable services and can offer rewarding career opportunities to members of the public.

We also have opportunities in facilities management and program management. In addition, we have job openings for members of our military to serve in AGR and Federal Technician roles.  

Stay updated on job openings by subscribing to our Jobs Bulletin. 
Vacancies

STAY CONNECTED
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We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter and find it both educational and engaging. If you have questions about our department, our programs or your benefits, please visit our website at nj.gov/military to get contact information.
Contact DMAVA

We welcome feedback and comments from the public regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal. Contact the newsletter team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.  

To view previous editions of our newsletter, please visit the DMAVA archives. 

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NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

101 Eggert Crossing Road

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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