Happy New Year
| Ensuring the health and welfare of the residents of New Jersey’s three Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland was a top priority throughout the year and it will remain a priority every day throughout my tenure. Throughout this past year we have addressed staff training, operating tools, and reviewed and revamped policies and practices to ensure we are providing the best possible care in an environment that is healthy and safe for our residents, medical professionals, and staff members.
This past year the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard refocused training and operations to improve overall readiness to execute future overseas deployments in support of United States strategic objectives. Over 2,500 Soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard's 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) completed the Exportable Combat Training Center (XCTC) at Fort Drum, New York. The New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing and 108th Wing rapidly deployed Airmen, aircraft, and equipment to Key West and Puerto Rico for New Jersey's first Agile Combat Employment, or "ACE" exercise. DMAVA also took point as chair of the Governor's Afghan Refugee Assistance Task Force. Finally, the NJNG was selected by the DOD's State Partnership Program (SPP) as the new state partner for the Republic of Cyprus.
DMAVA continues to adapt to and overcome tough terrain. Whether supporting Afghan refugees or providing care to our state’s heroes, our team recognizes that we will be judged, not simply by words on paper, but by the results that we achieve during mission execution. 2023 will be a crucial year for our organization. We are determined to succeed.
I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to the Governor, the First Lady, and the men and women who serve in and for this Department for their continued support as we navigate the complex challenges that are sure to come in the New Year. In 2023 DMAVA will double down on our focus areas…people, readiness, modernization, and reform allowing us to deliver services that are mobile, adaptable, and relevant to all New Jersey Veterans, National Guardsmen and their families. |
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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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DMAVA & Community Calendar |
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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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Vineland Residents Celebrate Holidays
Residents of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland, New Jersey, receive gifts during the Second Winds Dreams event December 21, 2022. This is the 12th year that the Second Wind Dreams Organization and the Vineland Boscov's department store have treated the Home's residents to an early Christmas.
Each year, residents write what gift they want on a tag, which is then hung on a Christmas tree in Boscov's. Shoppers and employees chose a tag and purchase the gift, which is wrapped and delivered to the home where Vineland staff members distribute the gifts to the residents. Additionally, the Harrah’s Foundation supports the Second Wind Dreams program for the Home.
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State Partnership ProgramCharalambos Petrides, Minister of Defence for the Republic of Cyprus, welcomed a delegation from the New Jersey National Guard on December 14, 2022.
The visit was to discuss the forthcoming cooperation in the framework of the State Partnership Program. |
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Outstanding NCO AwardSergeant First Class Mackenzee Wareham received the Sergeant Major Harry Arbeitman Outstanding NCO Award - Army. The award was presented by the Adjutant General, Brigadier General Lisa Hou.
SFC Wareham is a Recruiting & Retention NCO for the New Jersey Army National Guard.
Congratulations, SFC Wareham. |
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"Jersey Devil" Profile
Senior Airman April Clifton works at the 177th Fighter Wing as an Individual Protective Equipment manager, assigned to the 177th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and has been in the unit for almost four years.
Clifton manages storage and issue operations for the 177th LRS to include inventory functions, property identification, shelf-life, functional check and electro-static discharge assets. She also manages individual protective equipment inventory and verification, ensuring warehouse accuracy and reutilization of limited space and increased capacity. Additionally, Clifton provides mission readiness support for the 177th FW, aiding in local, stateside and worldwide Air Force deployments.
Clifton volunteers in disaster recovery with local and state officials, and also works with local restaurants and diners for the Toys for Tots collection drive, leading and directing collection sites and helping local families enjoy the holidays. Clifton also spearheaded and aided during the New Jersey Covid Lockdowns.
Some words of wisdom she shares, “Failure is an option. Because you need to fail to grow. Each failure makes success that much closer.”
An achievement that Clifton is proud of is recently purchasing her own home. Additionally, she is proud to have the opportunity to go to Airman Leadership School to advance her leadership skills and knowledge, to continue to provide the Air Force with quality stewardship and progress further in rank.
Nice work, Airman! |
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
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Winter Wonderland
New Jersey National Guard Family Programs Office hosted their second annual Winter Wonderland holiday celebration at the Joint Military and Family Assistance Center in Bordentown, New Jersey, December 16, 2022. Kids of all ages wore their pajamas to watch "The Polar Express" and enjoy games, hot cocoa, and snacks. Ticket holders received a full stocking and gifts, no matter how naughty they may have been. Special appearances were made by the train conductor, Santa, and somehow even Mr. Grinch, too.
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Veterans Honored During Medal Ceremony at Camden County BoathouseOn December 13, 2022, Veterans and their families joined the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Partners, Jefferson Health, Samaritan, Samost Jewish Family and Children's Services & Jewish War Veterans for a medal ceremony, where 17 Veterans were honored with Camden County Military Service Medals.
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NJ Public History Sites - We Want To Hear From You!What educational programs, resources, and other opportunities do you offer at your public history site? New Jersey teachers want to know!
The NJ Public History Sites Survey was designed in response to a request from New Jersey teachers for an updated resource guide of educational opportunities (field-trips, classroom programs, virtual, etc.) available at public history sites in New Jersey, and particularly in their communities. This project is a collaboration of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the NJ Dept. of State, NJ National History Day, and RevolutionNJ.
Your responses will be gathered into the NJ Educational Opportunities Resource Guide (available in spring 2023) for New Jersey teachers to connect with the historic sites in their communities! This is a wonderful way to let us know about some of the virtual programming that you may have incorporated at your site during the pandemic. Or, to let teachers know your site is open to welcome them back for field trips. We have EXTENDED the deadline to January 31, 2023.
To ensure your organization is on the NJ Educational Opportunities Resource Guide please reply by Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Fill out the survey today at: https://form.jotform.com/222934817726060. |
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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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Suicide Prevention
Dr. Vince Kane, Wilmington VA Director, is pictured presenting opening remarks on VA suicide prevention efforts at the Wilmington VA Suicide Prevention Peer Team Kick Off Event in Somers Point on December 14, 2022. The event focused on prevention strategies in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, COL (Ret) Walter R. Nall, attended the event along with members of the DMAVA Veterans Service Office.
The email address for the VA Prevention Team is wimspcpeerprogram@va.gov. Matt Jacobs at matthew.jacobs5@va.gov is Prevention Team program coordinator. Pat Carney at patrick.carney@va.gov is Peer Leader for the program.
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| Schedule Your PACT Act Event
If your Veterans Service Office, university/college or community organization would like to host the VA New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS), they will bring the information, screeners and staff to you and your Veterans. Contact them at VANJHCSCommsTeam@va.gov to schedule your PACT Act event. |
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Women Veteran Trailblazers
VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV) is seeking nominees for the 2023 Women Veteran Trailblazers “Women Making the Difference” Initiative. The initiative defines a “Woman Veteran Trailblazer” as a woman who has served and separated from military service and makes an impact by enhancing the lives of other Veterans, Veteran families or Veteran caregivers.
The deadline for nomination packages is January 13, 2023, and selection will be announced during Women’s History Month, March 2023. The nominees will undergo a selection process that may include an interview.
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1-800-MyVA411
The VA merged the White House Hotline with the department’s toll-free information line, 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411), on November 3, 2022, providing Veterans with a single access point for VA health care, benefits, and services, and for resolving their concerns.
The White House Hotline launched in 2017 to give Veterans and their families a direct line to report VA complaints. In 2020, the VA announced plans to establish 1-800-MyVA411 as the lone access point to all VA contact centers. MyVA411 launched later that year and has remained VA’s main call center for incoming calls, significantly outpacing hotline calls since its launch.
The White House hotline was staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by live agents. Callers to 1-800-MyVA411 also can connect with a live agent at any time, any day, by pressing “9.” |
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 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit, Disability & Health Care
In this episode of theSITREP, the host discusses the water contamination issue at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River for Veterans and their families. Those who were stationed at these locations between August 1953 to December 1987, for at least 30 days, may qualify for VA health care, VA disability, or to file a lawsuit. To watch the short video please go to #theSITREP. |
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 | New National Parks Pass
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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WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will open enrollment for Veterans Affairs Life Insurance — the first new VA life insurance program for Veterans in more than 50 years — extending VALife access to millions of Veterans.
VALife will provide up to $40,000 of whole life insurance for all Veterans, age 80 or under, with service-connected disabilities rated from 0-100%. Acceptance in the program is guaranteed, and no medical underwriting is required. Read Full Press Release |
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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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Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America held a ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Holmdel, New Jersey, to honor the 1,562 New Jersey men and one woman who gave their lives while serving in Southeast Asia, December 14, 2022.
The Wreaths Across America convoy stopped at the Memorial during its annual trip to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. During the ceremony, wreaths were presented to Gold Star family members. In addition, wreaths were placed at the base of each of the memorials’ 366 eight-foot-tall black granite panels – each representing a day of the year – with New Jersey’s casualties named on the day they made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Wreaths Across America
More than 300 people, including 70 New Jersey Civil Air Patrol Cadets, area Junior ROTC cadets; along with Boy and Girl Scouts, placed 3,000 wreaths on gravestones at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, New Jersey, December 17, 2022.
The wreath laying was part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America Day ceremony. Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Composite Squadron, Twin Pine Composite Squadron, Pinelands Composite Squadron, Allentown Composite Squadron, and the Jimmy Stewart Composite Squadron participated in the ceremony.
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Thank You!
Murray-Troutt American Legion Post 262 SAL and ALA Juniors mailed out 166 Christmas Cards to local Veterans and packaged 150 treat bags for Veterans Haven South and the Anthony J. Dixon Vets and Friends Center. |
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Thank You!Legionnaires came out on Christmas Day to share a meal and celebrate the holiday with the residents at Veterans Haven South. |
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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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Airman Accounted For From World War II (Uhrin, M.)
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency | December 13, 2022
WASHINGTON - The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Michael Uhrin, 21, of Metuchen, New Jersey, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 12, 2022.
In October 1943, Uhrin was assigned to 369th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, 40th Combat Wing, 8th Air Force in the European Theater. On Oct. 14, the B-17F Flying Fortress bomber on which he was serving as the radio operator was flying a mission to Schweinfurt, Germany, when it was shot down by enemy fighters near Rommelhausen and Langenbergheim, Hessen, Germany. Uhrin’s bomber was one of 60 aircraft to be lost during the mission. The surviving B-17 crew members said Uhrin was killed before the plane crashed, and none witnessed him bail out. His death was confirmed shortly after the crash, but there is no record of his burial location.
Read Full News Release |
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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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January 1, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom
LCpl Brian P. ParrelloU.S. Marine Corps West Milford, New Jersey |
January 2, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Marc S. SeidenU.S. Army
Brigantine, New Jersey |
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January 3, 2008
Operation Iraqi Freedom
CPT Thomas J. CaseyU.S. Army Cape May Point, New Jersey |
January 12, 2011
Operation Enduring Freedom SPC Benjamin MooreU.S. Army
Robbinsville, 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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Walter AlvaradoEnduring Freedom |
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William BocchinoWWII Era / Korean War |
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102nd Cavalry Officers at Fort Jackson in 1941 |
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December 29, 1812
| The frigate USS Constitution, under the command of Princeton-born naval officer Commodore William Bainbridge, decisively defeated HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. Although Bainbridge was wounded twice himself, the fight demonstrated his men’s superior training and marksmanship with both artillery and small arms.
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December 30, 1776 | General George Washington returned to Trenton from Pennsylvania and prepared to fight a British force advancing from Princeton.
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December 31, 1863 |
Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Buchanan, the federal government’s Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General for New Jersey under the Enrollment Act of 1863, ordered recruiting officers to enlist “all suitable colored men who may offer themselves for enlistment.” By the end of the Civil War, 2,902 New Jersey African-Americans had served in United States Colored Troops units and another 362 in the United States Navy.
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January 1, 1781 | The Pennsylvania Line regiments of the Continental Army, encamped for the winter at Jockey Hollow near Morristown, mutinied over a lack of supplies, length of service time and pay issues.
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January 2, 1777 | Following the Second Battle of Trenton along Assunpink Creek, which resulted in a stalemate, General George Washington disengaged his army from contact with the British and slipped away during the night, headed for Princeton.
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January 3, 1777 |
General George Washington defeated the British force at Princeton and quickly moved on to Morristown, where he established a winter camp and rebuilt his army. | January 5, 1861 |
John McGowan of Elizabeth, a former Revenue Marine (Coast Guard) officer who established lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coast, sailed the unarmed ship Star of the West into Charleston Harbor on a mission to resupply Fort Sumter. When his vessel was hit by two rounds from a shore battery, McGowan withdrew. Some count these as the actual first shots of the Civil War.
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January 6, 1777 | General William Howe ordered Elizabethtown abandoned by British troops due to constant harassment by the New Jersey militia as the forage war heated up.
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January 6, 1941 |
The 102nd Cavalry of the New Jersey National Guard was called to active duty and assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for training. The 102nd went on to participate in the Normandy Invasion, landing on D-Day plus two under the command of iconic New Jersey soldier Colonel Donald McGowan, and had the honor of being the first United States unit to enter Paris in August 1944.
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January 12, 1977 | Continental Army General Hugh Mercer died of the bayonet wounds he had received at the battle of Princeton. Mercer County was subsequently named in his honor. |
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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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Doyle Cemetery
On May 30, 1986, Governor Thomas H. Kean dedicated New Jersey's first state-operated Veterans' cemetery as "a lasting memorial to those men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country's honor and freedom."
Located in Wrightstown, NJ, the cemetery was named for the principal guiding force behind its development, U.S. Army Brigadier General William C. Doyle.
The cemetery, which is managed by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, covers 225 acres and was designed to accommodate 171,000 Veterans and their family members. |
| Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery |
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 | Joe Arroyo and Brian Berkes
The BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery celebrated the retirements of two valued team members on December 15, 2022.
Joe Arroyo (top photo on right) a supervisor of facility repairs and operations with over 10 quality years with DMAVA and Brian Berkes (bottom photo on left) an automotive mechanic with over 34 years of quality service with DMAVA.
Both of these employees were presented with a letter of appreciation and coin from the Adjutant General by the Director of Veterans Services, Patricia A. Richter and the Deputy Executive Director of the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Hobart Montee.
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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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