• November 17, 2022 | Atlantic City, NJ
  NJ State League of Municipalities Conference
• November 17, 2022 10:00AM | Fort Dix, NJ
  VA Disability Claim Processing Briefing
• November 18, 2022 4:00PM - 7:30PM | Bayville, NJ
  VFW District 12 Veterans Resource Fair
• November 19, 2022 10:00AM - 3:00PM | Fort Dix, NJ
  Job and Resource Fair
• November 19, 2022 10:00AM - 3:00PM | Perth Amboy, NJ
  Recruiting Office Grand Opening
• November 20, 2022 9:00AM - 12:00PM | Bordentown, NJ
  Reserve Component Transition Benefits Brief

DMAVA Medal Ceremony

Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Kennedy, left, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, New Jersey National Guard and Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, presented the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to Vietnam War Veteran Army Spc. Five Paul O. Hong during the New Jersey State Medals Ceremony at the Hainesport Volunteer Fire Department in Hainesport, New Jersey, November 7, 2022. Congratulations to all of the medal recipients.   

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DMAVA Medal Ceremony

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a New Jersey State Medals Ceremony at the Venue at Smithville Greene in Easthampton, New Jersey, November 4, 2022.

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Crestwood Manor Hosts Veteran Recognition Program

In honor of Veterans Day, Crestwood Manor, a Springpoint community, hosted a Veteran Recognition Program on November 9, 2022. Springpoint President and CEO Anthony Argondizza was in attendance and recognized Crestwood Manor resident Veterans for their service and dedication.

Joining Argondizza was LTC (Ret) Joseph C. Bucco, Jr. Bucco serves as a Veterans Service Office State Supervisor for the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.

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21st WMD-CST

U.S. Army Soldiers and Air Force Airmen with the 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, New Jersey National Guard, underwent an Army North-mandated training proficiency evaluation at the Monmouth County Sheriff Situational Training and Response Simulator Facility, Freehold, New Jersey, November 1, 2022. The 21st identifies chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances; assesses and advises civil authorities on response measures to man-made or natural disasters.
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Salute to Service

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jessie Leek, left, and Specialist Jeremiah Long, right, with the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey National Guard, hold the American Flag along side other Servicemembers and Veterans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, November 6, 2022. Members of the New Jersey National Guard participated in the pregame ceremonies at the New York Jets’ "Salute to Service" game.
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Mortar Training

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, fire 60mm mortars for table IV and V qualifications on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, November 5, 2022.

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Veterans Day Parade

the 177th Fighter Wing participated in the Brigantine Veterans Day Parade on November 6, 2022.

Operation Take Back

Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF) members supported Operation Take Back for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission was to collect unused, unwanted, and expired prescription pills from three designated locations in Monmouth, Bergen, and Morris counties. Over 16,000 pounds of material was collected.

NJ CDTF has supported the DEA with Take Back Day for 11 years, marking this the 23rd Take Back Day we have participated in. 

NJYCA

Representatives from the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy (NJYCA) attended the New Jersey Education Association Convention in Atlantic City on November 10-11, 2022.

The mission of the NJYCA is to train and mentor disengaged teenage youth so they become responsible and productive citizens of their community, state, and country. 

Learn more about NJYCA

Morris County Honors Veterans

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals and Certificates of Honor to seven Veterans during their annual Veterans Day Observance ceremony, where state and federal authorities also issued honors to the former service members.

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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.

Donate a Tree

For $35, you can donate a tree to a military family in need. The Morris County Chamber of Commerce's annual Trees for Troops program, run by the Leadership Morris Alumni Association, will collect donations until November 30th. Trees will be delivered to families the following weekend.
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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.
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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.

Medical Supplies

In this episode of theSITREP, the host discusses how Veterans and their families can save money on medical supplies and equipment with VA health care. From medical beds to wheel chair ramps, VA can help with everything. All medical supplies and equipment are brand new, never used, and yours to keep. To watch the short video please go to #theSITREP. 

New National Parks Pass

Just announced. A new lifetime pass for National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands, called America the Beautiful.

This new lifetime pass for Gold Star Families & Veterans is being offered to demonstrate the country's immense gratitude and respect for those who have served and defended our country.

The Interagency Military Pass has been part of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series since 2012. On December 27, 2021, President Biden signed into law S. 1605 “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022” (NDAA). Section 641 of the NDAA makes Gold Star families and Veterans eligible for lifetime passes to federal recreational lands.

Learn More at VA News

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.
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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

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Veterans Home at Menlo Park

The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park celebrated Halloween with trick-or-treat stations for residents and visitors and entertainment by the Florian Shantz Jazz Combo.

Goodwill Helps Northern NJ Homeless Veterans Find Homes And Jobs

Patch.com | Nov. 10, 2022

Every year, US veterans are honored during Veterans Day with parades and shopping discounts. That's well-deserved, but some veterans have more pressing needs like finding a place to live and a job to support their families. Many vets struggle to translate military skills into civilian jobs, experience poverty, unemployment, and homelessness.

Veterans like Angela Bernard, a single mom in her early 40s who lives in Bloomfield, NJ with her two daughters. Angela came to Goodwill's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) in early 2022 when her job cut her hours and pay due to the pandemic. She was also facing eviction.

Today, thanks to Goodwill, Angela has a place to live with her daughters and a full-time job as fulfillment associate at Samsung Electronics in Ridgefield Park, NJ.

Since July 1, 2021, Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ), a nonprofit serving the 10 most Northern counties of NJ and 38 counties of Eastern NY, has been operating the HVRP in New Jersey thanks to a three-year grant from the US Department of Labor. Goodwill provides job training and placement, connection to housing, and wraparound supports to homeless veterans or those at risk for homelessness.

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Veterans House at Rutgers to Be Named After Medal of Honor Alumnus

Lisa Intrabartola, Rutgers University | Nov. 9, 2022

One year after graduating from Rutgers College at the height of the Vietnam War, a young ROTC-trained Army advisor named Jack Jacobs made a heroic rescue that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor – a distinction few soldiers live to receive.

During an ill-fated mission in 1967 that left his commander disabled and his unit in chaos amid heavy casualties, Jacobs took control, ordering a withdrawal and forming a defense line at a more secure position.

Then, despite suffering head and arm wounds and impaired vision, Jacobs repeatedly ran across open rice paddies through heavy fire for hours to evacuate the wounded, personally saving a fellow advisor, the wounded company commander and 12 other allied soldiers.

In honor of his exceptional act and years of subsequent service, the Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services at Rutgers is launching a campaign to have Veteran’s House at Rutgers named after the retired Army colonel and raise $500,000 to create an Opportunity Fund that will support military-affiliated students at Rutgers.

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