Season's Greetings
| Season’s greetings to you and your family from The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. May the magic and wonder of the holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, your life with laughter, and remain with you throughout the coming year.
The end of the year is a time not only to unite and rejoice with family and friends but also a time to reflect and prepare for the upcoming year. Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you happiness, may it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
As you gather to share in holiday traditions, we ask you to please remember those stationed far from home, as well as our Veterans, and fallen comrades. Keep them and their families in your thoughts. Look out for each other and consider inviting individuals to your gatherings that may otherwise be alone.
And finally, as you enjoy this festive season with your loved ones, we urge you to remain safe as you travel and celebrate. We wish you and your family abundance, health, happiness, and peace in 2023. Happy Holidays! |
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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 |
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December 18, 2022 9:00am – 12:00pm
RESERVE COMPONENT TRANSITION BENEFITS BRIEF
Joint Military & Family Assistance Center
1048 US Rt 206 South
Bordentown, NJ 08505
POC: Edward Graham
Reserve Component Transition Assistance Advisor
egraham@gapsi.com
202-987-3839 |
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DMAVA Calendar |
DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present at some of these events. Check details to confirm. |
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- December 16, 2022 | Bordentown, NJ
Child & Youth Programs / Family Programs Winter Wonderland
- December 17, 2022 | Toms River, NJ
Survivor Outreach Services Holiday Party
- December 18, 2022 | Bordentown, NJ
Reserve Component Transition Benefits Brief
- December 19, 2022 | Rio Grande, NJ
Veterans Information Session
- December 22, 2022 | Northfield, NJ
Veterans Information Session
- December 22, 2022 | Trenton, NJ
NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy Class 54 Graduation
- December 27, 2022 | Vineland, NJ
Veterans Information Session
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often.
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| View Full Calendar |
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We Will Never Forget
Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey, dedicated the Gold Star Family Roadway on the campus of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, December 2, 2022.
Following the dedication, Hou and State Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Leonard unveiled five plaques placed at the base of five trees honoring Staff Sgt. Frank T. Carvill and Spc. Christopher M. Duffy; Staff Sgt. Humberto F. Timoteo and Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz, who were killed in action in Iraq June 4, and June 5, 2004 respectively and Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira who was killed in action in Afghanistan October 19, 2011.
The tree-lined roadway is adjacent to the New Jersey Global War on Terrorism Monument.
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Veterans Outreach
DMAVA Veteran Service Officer Joe Restivo, left, and Outreach Specialist Luisa Sanchez, right, discuss federal and state Veterans benefits with Passaic County Sheriff’s Officer and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran David Perez at the DMAVA Outreach Table at the Resource Fair at the Passaic County Probation Division Building in Paterson, NJ on December 8, 2022.
Veterans and family members can visit our website to get contact information for a local Veterans Service Officer. Also refer to our Veterans Outreach Schedule to see if we will have an event soon in your area.
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World War II Memorial
Patty Richter, Director of Veterans Services at DMAVA, places a wreath at the New Jersey World War II Memorial in remembrance of the 2,403 military personnel and 68 civilians who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. The Memorial is located across from the Statehouse in Trenton. |
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3/112th Field ArtilleryU.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard’s Charlie Battery, 3-112th Field Artillery, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire a M777A2 155mm Howitzer during a section qualification on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, November 5, 2022. The 3-112th Field Artillery qualified over the weekend of November 3-6 on artillery table VI.
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Night Operations
A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot, from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, taxis down a runway in preparation for a night flying mission December 1, 2022, at the Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The night flying was conducted to train pilots for safe and effective night operations.
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Thank You!Members of the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard display holiday cards and artwork created by preschoolers from the Barnegat, NJ school system. |
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment |
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DMAVA Town Hall
Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey, and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, along with DMAVA and New Jersey National Guard leadership briefed state and federal employees and New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at a Town Hall at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Dec. 2, 2022. During the ceremony, Hou recognized and coined nine DMAVA employees and 10 New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
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Office of Records and ArchivesPursuant to N.J.S.A. 3-6(e), the Adjutant General shall “maintain the archives and be the custodian of the records and papers required, by laws and regulations, to be filed with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.”
DMAVA’s Administrative Services Division’s Office of Records and Archives is the office that receives military discharges from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and occasionally, the Merchant Marines. This applies to both the Active Duty and their Reserves, to include the National Guard.
The DMAVA employees of the Records and Archives Office are some of the busiest people within the Department. They are responsible for the archiving, storage and issuance of copies of military records of all the State’s service members and Veterans.
The Office receives about 10 to 20 military records per week that need to be scanned, indexed and placed into a database. For Calendar Year 2022, the Office has received over 2,026 requests for military records for an average of 184 requests per month.
For more information, visit our website at Request Military Records. |
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Pearl Harbor Day CeremonyDecember 7th marked the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack marked the beginning of the United States involvement in World War II. This year Gloucester and Camden County honored the survivors and paid tribute to fallen Veterans aboard the Battleship New Jersey.
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Burlington County 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 |
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Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau
If anyone needs a little help this Christmas, the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau has $25 ShopRite gift cards. They will be giving out these gift cards Wednesday, December 21st, 10am-2pm, to Veterans and Veteran families in need. Please call the Toms River office at 732-929-2096, to put your name on the list. |
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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. |
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 | Veterans Benefits at 10% Disability
In this episode of theSITREP, the host discusses Veterans benefits available to those receiving 10% disability, a.k.a. Service-Connected Compensation. To watch the short video please go to #theSITREP. |
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 | 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 |
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 | 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. |
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#VetResources
| Subscribe to #VetResources to receive a weekly newsletter from the VA for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. |
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Thank You!
VFW Auxiliary District 19 held a Christmas Party at Veterans Haven North for the residents. Pictured are some of the terrific folks who made it happen.
In addition, Spruce Run Memorial VFW Post 5119 recently delivered two full vehicles of Wish List items for Veterans Haven North. |
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Eagle Scout Project
On December 7th, Nathaniel Attardi unveiled his Boy Scout Eagle project that honors our local military heroes of the past and present. The 2,756-pound granite monument was erected near the main entrance to Wall High School. Nathaniel's project is inspired by his late grandfather, Michael J. Attardi, who served in the Korean War.
Great job, Nathaniel! And congratulations from all of us at DMAVA.
Photo courtesy of the Attardi family. |
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Holiday Wreath Ceremony
The Bergen County Police Chiefs Foundation held their first Annual “Holiday Wreath Ceremony for Our Heroes” at the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus on December 11th. The Wreaths for Our Heroes program is sponsored by the Bergen County Police Chiefs Foundation. The primary purpose of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Foundation is to identify and support the needs of active and retired military personnel in Bergen County and their families.
With police chiefs and officers coming out from all across Bergen County, the event provided a great opportunity to honor and respect our Veterans, especially during the holiday season.
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VFW PACT Act WebsiteThe VFW has launched its new PACT Act website! Check out pactactinfo.org to quickly determine whether you may be eligible for PACT Act benefits and compensation. |
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Click image for info and dropoff locations |
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World War II hero John J. Heffernan arrives back in the US for a final farewellMike Kelly | NorthJersey.com | Nov. 15, 2022
Image by Anne-Marie Caruso | NorthJersey.com
Lt. John J. Heffernan, a long-missing casualty of World War II, finally came back to America on Tuesday.
Nearly 80 years after perishing in a fiery crash in Burma when Japanese forces shot down his B-25G bomber, Heffernan’s remains were brought back to New Jersey on an early-morning flight that landed at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Since his death on Feb. 22, 1944, Heffernan, 24, a U.S. Army Air Corps navigator who hoped to become a physician if he survived the war, had been considered missing and presumed dead by the Pentagon. His remains were not found and identified until last year.
Read Full Story with Video and Photo Gallery |
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Wreaths of Remembrance at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial CemeteryAl Amrhein | NJ.com | Dec. 3, 2022
View Image Gallery |
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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. |
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December 16, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom
PFC Joe R. BainesU.S. Army Newark, New Jersey |
December 21, 2002
Operation Enduring Freedom SGT Steven ChecoU.S. Army
Elizabeth, New Jersey |
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December 25, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom
PFC Eric R. WilkusU.S. Army Hamilton, New Jersey |
December 25, 2008
Operation Iraqi Freedom MAJ John P. PryorU.S. Army
Moorestown, New Jersey |
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"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 |
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Ellis BeesleyWorld War II |
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Joseph DauberWorld War II |
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Season Greetings from the NJ Air National Guard in 1948 |
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December 12, 1704
| On this date the first militia act was signed by the newly joined East and West Jersey Provinces.
| December 13, 1862 |
Most of the NJ regiments in the Union Army of the Potomac fought in the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg. Some suffered heavy losses, including the 24th New Jersey regiment, with 136 casualties, & the 28th New Jersey regiment, with 193.
| December 17, 2003 |
Colonel Maria Falca-Dodson, Deputy Adjutant General, presented 116 Veterans with the New Jersey Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medals at a ceremony held at the NJ National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville.
| December 21, 1937 |
The Lincoln Tunnel between NY and NJ was dedicated. Soldiers of the NJ National Guard's 44th Division provided the guard of honor.
| December 24, 1814 |
The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812, was signed in Belgium. New Jersey militiamen continued to stand guard along the state’s coastline from Sandy Hook to Delaware Bay into the new year of 1815, however, since the United States Senate did not ratify the treaty until February.
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December 25, 1776 |
On Christmas night, General George Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River in rain, sleet and snow at McKonkey’s Ferry, north of Trenton. At 4:00 AM the following morning, the force began to march south in two columns towards Trenton. | December 26, 1776 |
At around 8:00 AM, General Washington’s force attacked Colonel Johann Rall’s 1,500 man Trenton garrison. The Americans inflicted almost 1,000 casualties, most of them prisoners, on Rall’s Hessians, and mortally wounded the colonel himself in a victory that saved the Revolution. Despite legend, folklore and British blame-shifting, the Hessians were not drunk as a result of a Christmas celebration, but were in a precarious tactical position and caught by surprise by Washington’s daring maneuvers and impeccable leadership.
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December 26, 1891 | The cornerstone of the Battle of Trenton monument was laid. |
December 27, 1782 | The last recorded land encounter of the American Revolution, a skirmish between Patriot militia and Loyalist raiders, took place at Cedar Bridge Tavern, in today’s Stafford Township. |
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RevolutionNJ's New Website
The RevolutionNJ website is now active! It launched on November 30th and will continue to add information and photos over time. The website will be the location for all things related to RevolutionNJ around the state. Check out the new website! |
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New Jersey State ArchivesThe New Jersey State Archives has over 11,000 images in their online Military and Wartime collection, including over 1,000 pictures collected by the New Jersey National Guard. |
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Gail MillerAdministrative Services Division
There have been three main themes in my life (in addition to cats): two of them are art and languages. The art spirit has been with me all along, only lately waiting patiently for attention. Language abilities in French and Spanish allowed me to experience the cultures and inspiration of France and Spain and to live and work for 8½ years in Bermuda. I was fortunate to study at the Massachusetts College of Art and later at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where I received awards in drawing and graphics.
Another constant in my life since age 9 has been insulin-dependent diabetes, which I feared for many years would shorten my life or at least my life as an artist. I am happy to say as an encouragement to others dealing with this condition that neither has happened after and I am dealing only with the perils of time.
I am very pleased, honored and humble to be able to present here some of my earlier art work for the very wonderful and inspiring members of the DMAVA team and community who will see this presentation. Thank you for all you do, for which I am very grateful. |
 | Zandra's DogsPastel |
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Fallera PortraitPastel |
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MoonwatchWoodblock Print |
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Portrait of PepeCharcoal |
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Water LiliesPencil |
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Kryn WesthovenU.S. Army Specialist Kryn Westhoven, with the 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, New Jersey National Guard, documents the Officer Candidate School class of 1977 during a weapons qualification course at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, New Jersey. |
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Veterans Service Offices |
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Request Military Records |
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Family Programs Office |
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Veterans Memorial Homes |
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NJ State Medals |
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Military Funeral Honors |
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Doyle Veterans Cemetery |
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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.
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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.
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| Contact DMAVA |
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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.gov/military NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
101 Eggert Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Privacy Notice |
Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DMAVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. |
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