|
|
Game Changer: PACT Act Expansion |
In March, at the direction of President Joseph R. Biden, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expanded health care eligibility to millions of Veterans - including all New Jersey Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after September 11, 2001 - years earlier than required by the PACT Act.
If you served and were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, please seek the care you deserve. VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for Veterans. Once enrolled, you have access for life.
In addition to expanding access to VA care, the expansion makes it quicker and easier for millions of Veterans to enroll. Many Veterans believe they must apply to receive VA disability compensation benefits to become eligible for VA health care. This is incorrect. Today, thousands of eligible Garden State Veterans can enroll directly in VA care - without any need to first apply for VA benefits.
This is a game changer. This is the biggest expansion of care in generations. The bipartisan PACT Act is accelerating increased access to healthcare for New Jersey heroes. We encourage individuals to contact our team of trained and accredited veteran service officers to determine eligibility next steps.
There are twenty-one veterans service offices in each of New Jersey’s twenty-one counties. To learn more about how to enroll in VA healthcare and access other state and federal benefits, contact the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at 1-844-671-1019. |
|
|
|
As always, thank you for staying connected to DMAVA.
We invite you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.
Colonel Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Adjutant General & Commissioner |
|
| |
VA New Jersey Health Care System | August 7th |
 |
Note: DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present every day during the NJ State Fair | August 02-10 |
|
| |
|
| | |
DMAVA is sponsoring or will participate in the events below. A DMAVA Veterans Service Officer will be present at many of these events. Please check details to confirm. |
|
|
| |
We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
|
| |
 | NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation Appoints Senator Edward T. O'Connor as Board of Trustees Member
NJVVMF Release | July 24, 2024
HOLMDEL - The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation (NJVVMF) today announced Vietnam Veteran Senator and Judge Edward T. O’Connor, Capt., U.S. Army (Ret.), as a Board of Trustees Member. O’Connor, who represented the 31st district in the New Jersey State Senate from 1982-2002, was credited with writing the legislation to create the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. The first Vietnam Combat Veteran to be elected to the New Jersey State Senate, O’Connor previously served as Chairman of New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation from 1987-1997.
"We’re thrilled to appoint Vietnam Veteran Senator and Judge O’Connor to our Board of Trustees, as he has already dedicated so much to our organization, including sponsoring the bill to create a New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial," said Senator Nick Asselta (Ret.), Vice Chair of NJVVMF.
"Senator O’Connor served our country with honor as a Captain in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, then returned to New Jersey to fulfill a career of public service to the people of Hudson County in the state Legislature and as a Superior Court Judge," said Amy Osborn, Executive Director of NJVVMF. "His service to our state and our country is exemplary, and he’s been steadfast in his dedication to New Jersey’s Vietnam veterans."
During his tenure in the Senate, O’Connor served as the Minority Whip and Chaired the Senate Judiciary, Labor, and Joint Ethics Committees. Upon leaving the state Legislature in 2002, O’Connor was appointed as a Superior Court judge for Hudson County.
"The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial holds a special place in my heart, as it serves as a home to my fellow Vietnam Veterans, including the 1564 brave New Jersey men and one woman who died fighting for our country," said Senator O’Connor. "I’m pleased to join this dynamic Board of professionals who are dedicated to preserving the memories of New Jersey’s fallen heroes, as well as the history of the Vietnam era, for future generations."
For more information about the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, please visit www.njvvmf.org. |
|
| |
 | 177th Fighter Wing
Family, friends and fellow pilots of Col. Gregory P. Poston came to the flight line of the 177th Fighter Wing to observe his last flight in the F-16C Fighting Falcon on July 18, 2024.
Congratulations, Col. Poston, and thank you for your many years of service as a Jersey Devil! |
|
|
 | Task Force Wolverine
44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers assigned to Task Force Wolverine participated in the 1,000 lb. Club Challenge and a morale-building Wiffle ball game in their area of operations, July 20, 2024.
View Images |
|
|
Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment |
|
| |
|
 | 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice
DMAVA held a ceremony commemorating the 71st anniversary of the armistice signing at the New Jersey Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City, NJ on July 26, 2024.
On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by representatives of the United States, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea and South Korea.
The New Jersey Korean War Memorial was created to honor the 191,000 New Jerseyans who served in the conflict. It was dedicated November 13, 2000 on land donated by Atlantic City.
The memorial has a wall that bears the names of all New Jersey service members killed or missing in action, as well as a bas-relief honoring the five New Jersey Medal of Honor recipients. The bronze figures include the “Mourning Soldier,” a Soldier and a nurse helping a wounded Soldier, and two battlefield reliefs behind sheets of water cascading into reflecting pools.
View Images |
|
|
 | WWII Submarine Veteran Receives Medal
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Calvin Moon, a 100-year-old World War II submarine veteran, receives a New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal from Army Brig. Gen. Timothy Coakley, Director of the New Jersey National Guard Joint Staff, at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ on July 25, 2024.
Moon was also presented a USS New Jersey SSN-796 license plate from USS New Jersey (SSN 796) Master Chief Joseph Calhoun, Chief of the Boat, along with Sailors assigned to the USS New Jersey.
View Images |
|
| |
 | SMS Alerts - Text "NJVets" to 78015
Opt-in now to receive SMS Alerts from DMAVA! Text "NJVets" to 78015 or scan the QR code above and send. You will be immediately opted-in to receive alerts and important messages from the Division of Veterans Services.
This service is provided free of charge, however, carrier messaging and data rates may apply. To opt-out at any time, simply reply “Stop”. |
|
| |
| | |
 | NJ National Guard CounterDrug Task Force
The New Jersey National Guard CounterDrug Task Force, Drug Demand Reduction Outreach section hosted a DDRO Phase One course July 8-12, 2024 for newly appointed Civil Operators and Program Managers in CDTF.
Master Sgt. James Kube, the Lead Instructor and NJ CDTF-DDRO Coordinator, invited his sister, Amanda Kube, to guest speak on the third day of the course to share her experience in recovery and her transition to becoming one of the Peer Recovery Specialists with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health Peer Recovery Program.
Read Full Story |
|
|
 | NJYCA Class 58
On July 27, 2024, the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy held a ceremony that marks the end of the two-week Acclimation Phase of the program and celebrates the transformation of Class 58 from Candidates into Cadets.
During the next five months of the Residential Phase, the Cadets will experience a structured and disciplined schedule that focuses on developing their social, emotional, academic, and basic life skills. Congratulations, Cadets!
Facebook | Instagram |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
|
VA begins transition to simpler online sign-in experience for Veterans’ account accessVA News | July 17, 2024
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to start transitioning Veterans, over the next year, to a more modern, streamlined online login process to access benefit and health care services. This is a step in VA and the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive efforts to safeguard and protect Veteran data and that of their beneficiaries.
With VA’s support through consistent outreach and training, Veterans will transition to one of two sign-in options to access VA.gov, VA mobile applications, and other VA online services: Login.gov or ID.me accounts. Veterans can begin this transition now by visiting www.va.gov/sign-in-changes to learn how to create a verified Login.gov or ID.me account. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Veterans and other beneficiaries will no longer be able to use usernames and passwords for My HealtheVet after Jan. 31, 2025, or DS Logon after Sept. 30, 2025.
After these deadlines, Veterans who have not yet transitioned will still be able to access their data and resume managing their benefits and services online once they have created their new account. Read Full News Feature |
|
| |
How to Calculate VA Disability RatingsIn this episode of theSITREP, the host discusses how to calculate VA disability ratings; also known as VA Math.
theSITREP Podcast |
|
| |
|
| |
 | New Jersey Civil Air Patrol |
Members of the 140th Cyber Operations Squadron hosted the Civil Air Patrol on July 24, 2024 during the cadet's annual week-long summer encampment.
The cadets received a cyber mission brief as part of a curriculum that included science, technology engineering and math (STEM), fitness, aviation, space and leadership training.
The New Jersey Civil Air Patrol, headquarted at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has held summer encampments here for many years. The training is a requirement for cadets seeking promotion to officer ranking. |
|
|
 |
Mainland Regional High School
The 177th Fighter Wing Enlisted Council has been working over the past several months in coordination with the Mainland Regional High School Art Program Teacher Lori Vannini and students Dan, Will, Brielle and Emilia, on painting a flag drop box for the Wing.
The flag drop box is used to properly dispose of any unserviceable American flags in a respectful manner.
Thank you Mainland Regional High School students and staff members for this generous deed! |
|
|
|
 | NJYCA Class 23
On May 29, 2006, 45 Cadets from the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy marched in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
The Cadets had the honor of carrying the banner for the “America Supports You” organization, which highlights America’s support of U.S. troops. The Cadets were also thrilled to meet the Grand Marshall of the parade, actor and director Gary Sinise. |
|
|
| |
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. |
|
|
August 1, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Anthony Joseph DixonU.S. Army
Lindenwold, New Jersey | August 1, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Hai Ming Hsia
U.S. Army Newark, New Jersey | August 3, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom
LCpl Edward A. Schroeder U.S. Marine Corps Mapplewood, New Jersey |
August 6, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom CPL Kareem R. KhanU.S. Army
Manahawkin, New Jersey |
|
August 8, 2011
Operation Enduring Freedom SGT Alessandro L. PlutinoU.S. Army
Pitman, New Jersey | August 9, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Gennaro Pellegrini Jr.
U.S. Army Wildwood, New Jersey | August 10, 2011
Operation Enduring Freedom
CPL Nicholas S. Ott U.S. Marine Corps Manchester, New Jersey |
August 12, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom CPT Michael Yury TarlavskyU.S. Army
Passaic, 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 |
|
| |
 | Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. |
|
|
August 1, 1920 |
Thomas McGuire was born in Ridgewood. McGuire moved to Florida with his mother after his parents separated in the 1930s, and left Georgia Tech in 1941 to join the United States Army Air Corps. After flying in the Aleutian Islands, he became a Lockheed P-38 Lightning pilot in 1943 and then flew combat missions in New Guinea and the Philippines, where he became one of America’s leading aces. McGuire had thirty-eight kills and rose to the rank of major before being killed on January 7, 1945 in an accidental crash on Negros Island in the Philippines while maneuvering in a dogfight. McGuire, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross, three silver stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, fifteen Air Medals and three purple hearts by the age of twenty-four, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1948, Fort Dix Army Air Force Base was renamed McGuire Air Force Base in his honor.
| August 5, 1775 |
The New Jersey Provincial Congress ordered that 54 companies of Minute Men, of 64 men each, be raised and organized into battalions. The Minute Men were required to have “their own firelocks upon their shoulders, 23 cartridges in their cartouch [sic] boxes; the worm, priming wire and 12 flints in their pockets and a pound of powder and three pounds of bullets at home.” |
|
August 7, 1861 |
General Philip Kearny, one armed New Jersey hero of the Mexican War, assumed command of the First New Jersey Brigade in Virginia. The ill-disciplined brigade’s first meeting with its new commander was not auspicious, as he found the Jerseymen looting a peach orchard. After placing the officers under arrest, Kearny met with them and laid out disciplinary guidelines. Over the winter of 1861-1862, the general’s training regimen turned the brigade into a first class outfit, a reputation it maintained to the end of the war. Kearny never commanded the Jerseymen in combat, though, leaving for division command before the Peninsula Campaign.
| August 7, 1967 | The first C-141 transport plane, dubbed The Garden State Starlifter, arrived at McGuire Air Force Base. |
August 8, 1757 |
The garrison of Fort William Henry, on Lake George, including several hundred men from the New Jersey Provincial Regiment, known as the “Jersey Blues,” surrendered to the French. Many of the Jerseymen were kidnapped by Canadian Indians in the post-surrender massacre made famous in the Burlington, New Jersey-born James Fenimore Cooper’s novel Last of the Mohicans and its subsequent film adaptations. |
|
|
| | | |
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.
Subscribe to DMAVA Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
| | Vacancies |
|
| | |
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 |
|
Please email us at outreach@dmava.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal.
Visit the DMAVA archives to view previous editions of our newsletter.
|
| |
|
 |
nj.gov/military NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
101 Eggerts 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 & Veterans Affairs. |
|
| |
|
|
