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Col. Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, along with New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs directors met with leaders from New Jerseys’ veteran service organizations at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ on October 6, 2024. |
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DMAVA Welcomes Additional Oversight |
On October 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of New Jersey jointly filed a consent decree in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey. As part of this agreement, a third-party federal monitor will be appointed to the Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park and Paramus, two long-term care facilities operated by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA). The operations of the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home are not impacted.
This agreement is the result of months of constructive conversations with the Department of Justice on how best to care for the Veterans, Veteran Spouses, and Gold Star Families who call our facilities home.
Here’s where we are today: the Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park and Paramus have made significant progress that has been confirmed by repeated, independent inspections conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Menlo Park received no clinical deficiencies in two no-notice facility wide surveys conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health from July 8-16, 2024 and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from July 16-19, 2024. These separate surveys were comprehensive and encompassed everything from the home’s infection control and clinical care, to kitchen operations, human resources, emergency management, and housekeeping.
Moreover, on September 5, 2024, the Menlo Park team of healthcare heroes achieved zero deficiencies in a no-notice focused infection control survey, or inspection, conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. On September 10, 2024, in a separate no-notice infection control survey, the Paramus team also achieved zero deficiencies.
These no-notice infection control surveys consisted of inspections that assessed the homes’ procedures related to infection control regulations, including staff handwashing, donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, and continuing education records. Additionally, inspectors reviewed kitchen and sanitizing operations, contact tracing, cohorting, isolation, and quarantine protocols.
We can always do better. Please know that I am confident in our leadership, our teams, and the level of care that we are providing. In the days ahead, we will continue our important work and we welcome this partnership with a federal monitor.
We are incredibly grateful to the residents, staff, and volunteers who make Menlo Park and Paramus - as well as Vineland - safe, vibrant, and welcoming communities. We are committed to not only meeting rigorous standards but exceeding them. |
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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 |
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 | Colonel Yvonne L. MaysThe Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey
Cordially invites you to attend the
Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
on Monday, the 11th of November 2024 at 11:00 am
at the
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial
1 Memorial Lane
Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
Military: Dress Uniform
Civilian: Business Casual |
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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. | |
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
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Deputy Adjutant General of New JerseyEffective 30 September 2024, Brigadier General L. Michael LaPoint assumed his responsibilities as Deputy Adjutant General of New Jersey.
He is the principal advisor to The Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on all matters concerning military readiness, mobilizations, homeland security, defense support to civil authorities, human resources, logistics, training, and financial management.
The duties include the supervision and management of the Department’s 3,200 full-time State and Federal employees, and more than 30 armories and associated properties.
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Annual Governor's Military ReviewThe New Jersey National Guard held its annual Military Review at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ on October 6, 2024.
Governor Phil Murphy and Col. Yvonne L. Mays, the Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey, presided over the ceremony, a more than 130-year-old tradition that allows the governor as commander-in-chief to review the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard. View Images |
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 | Hurricane Milton Support
New Jersey National Guard Soldiers with the 42nd Regional Support Group departed from Picatinny Arsenal in Wharton and the Cape May Armory in Cape May Courthouse, NJ on October 9, 2024.
The New Jersey Army National Guard announced the deployment of approximately 80 Soldiers and 30 military vehicles to support Hurricane Milton response operations in Camp Blanding, Florida.
The unit will coordinate with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida National Guard. Tasks may include transportation of Florida National Guard personnel into weather-impacted areas and delivery of commodities to or from points of distribution.
View Images | News Release |
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 | 3-112th Field Artillery Regiment
In late September 2024, Bravo Battery Soldiers, with the assistance of Soldiers from Task Force Toro, Spanish Army, prepared their M119A3 105mm Howitzer for sling load from a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter during a training exercise conducted at Al Asad Air Base in Western Iraq. The howitzer and crew were then air assaulted to a firing point where the Gun Section executed a fire mission.
The training highlighted the interoperability and operational readiness of Coalition Forces across the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. |
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 | Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Employers of New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen participated in a "boss lift" or an employer appreciation flight onboard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters at the National Guard Training Center at Sea Girt, NJ on October 6, 2024.
The flight was part of an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve event to thank the employers for their support to their employees to fulfill their military duties to the state and nation.
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Join Our Team | 100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses | GI Bill
Student Loan Repayment |
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Tamara Corrales, Mercer County VSO
Tamara Corrales is a dedicated Veteran Service Officer with a passion for supporting those who have served our country.
Tamara combines her expertise in veteran services with a strong educational background. Tamara earned her degree in Hospitality Management before pursuing further studies in Human Services. This unique blend of skills allows her to effectively advocate for veterans, helping them navigate the complex landscape of benefits and resources.
Growing up in New York, Tamara developed a deep appreciation for diversity and community engagement. Her commitment to service began when she joined the Navy, where she learned the importance of teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Her military background enriches her understanding of the challenges veterans face, allowing her to connect on a personal level with those she serves.
With a focus on compassionate care and empowerment, Tamara is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of veterans, ensuring they receive the support they deserve. Known for her approachable demeanor and problem-solving abilities, she embodies the spirit of service and strives to make a meaningful difference in her community by empower veterans to access the resources they need for a successful transition into civilian life.
Tamara Corrales is not just a professional in her field; she is a fierce advocate for those who have served, embodying the spirit of dedication and service that defines her career.
Contact Tamara or any of her colleagues around the state by visiting our website at Veterans Service Offices. |
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 | Northern NJ Veterans Stand Down
The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers from the 42nd Regional Support Group joined forces with state and federal agencies and other non-government organizations to provide much needed assistance to more than 200 homeless Veterans at the North Jersey Stand Down conducted at John F. Kennedy Recreational Center in Newark, NJ on October 12, 2024.
Stand Downs are typically one day events during which Veteran organizations’ staff and volunteers provide food, clothing, and health screenings to homeless and at-risk Veterans. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.
With the motto of “Always Ready, Always There!” the New Jersey National Guard has been supporting New Jersey’s Stand Down events for many years. |
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Stand Down of South JerseyVolunteers, healthcare providers, and social service personnel assisted homeless veterans at the Sgt. 1st Class Robert H. Yancey Sr. Stand Down at the National Guard Armory in Cherry Hill, NJ on September 27, 2024.
At the Stand Down, co-hosted by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Stand Down of South Jersey, veterans were provided access to healthcare, mental health screening, substance abuse counseling, social services, legal services, religious counseling, and winter clothing.
Since 1996, the South Jersey Stand Down has served as a catalyst that enables homeless and at-risk veterans to re-enter mainstream society. Stand Downs are a nationwide, grass roots, community-based intervention programs to help veterans’ battle life on the streets. View Images |
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State Medal CeremonyThe New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a state medal ceremony at the Cedar Crest Senior Living Community in Pompton Plains, NJ on September 26, 2024. View Images
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 | Get Connected to Resources & Services |
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has partnered with Unite Us to connect individuals and families to a wide variety of services and resources.
Unite Us is a coordinated care referral network of health and social service providers. Unite Us can connect our New Jersey military and veteran community to resources to obtain benefits, food assistance, housing, education, transportation, behavioral health services, peer support and more. |
| Learn More & Request Assistance |
| Veteran Service Providers
| Do you provide services to Veterans? We would like to get you enrolled in this new online referral network, Unite NJ Veterans. This digital platform connects Veterans to the resources around them quickly. Learn more and enroll. |
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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”. |
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Counterdrug Task ForceStaff Sgt. Benjamin Martinez | 444th MPAD | October 3, 2024
The Southern Ocean County Interfaith Advocacy and Leadership (SOCIAL) Network has recently received a Drug Free Communities grant for Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton and Eagleswood. This grant lasts five years and provides $125,000 per year for drug prevention programs with the possibility to extend for another five years.
Master Sgt. James Kube and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Martinez, members of the New Jersey National Guard Counterdrug Task Force - Drug Demand Reduction Outreach section, helped SOCIAL Network with recruitment of new members, hosting meetings and applying for the DFC grant.
For the last 10 years, the DFC grant in Ocean County only covered Toms River and Brick Township. Since then, Toms River has received another prevention grant and Brick has a Municipal alliance that covers funding for their town. |
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VA New Jersey Healthcare System Opening Toms River ClinicDear Veterans, Families, Caregivers, and Stakeholders,
The VA New Jersey Healthcare System is proud to announce the grand opening of our brand-new Toms River Clinic at 1051 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. On this day, we will welcome Veterans to our new state-of-the-art facility, officially marking Patient Day One.
As part of this transition, the Brick Clinic will permanently close its doors on Monday, October 21, 2024. All appointments scheduled after October 21 will automatically be transferred to the Toms River Clinic. Veterans will receive new appointment cards with updated information indicating their new location at the Toms River facility.
“The opening of the Toms River Clinic marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide world-class healthcare to our Veterans in Ocean County and beyond. This new facility allows us to expand access to care, improve services and better meet the needs of our Veteran community. We are excited to welcome them to this state-of-the-art clinic”, said Patricia O’Kane, Executive Medical Center Director.
We are also preparing for the clinic’s official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, which will take place in November. The exact date of the event will be announced shortly.
This new addition to the VA New Jersey Healthcare System reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering enhanced healthcare services to Veterans across Ocean County and surrounding areas. We look forward to welcoming our Veterans and ensuring they receive the highest level of care in this expanded, modern facility.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to serving you at the Toms River Clinic! |
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 | 3 Tips for VA Disability Claims
In this episode of theSITREP, the host covers three tips to consider when submitting a claim for VA disability. theSITREP Podcast |
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Private Eliana VasquezIntroducing one of the newest members of the @njnationalguard: PVT Eliana Vasquez, a student-athlete who embodies what it means to live and serve in our community!
Vasquez is a high school senior and a proud member of the soccer team at Belleville High School.
We are proud to see you set the example for those joining our ranks. |
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 | Senate Confirms Nordhaus as 30th National Guard Bureau Chief
National Guard | September 25, 2024
ARLINGTON, Va., - The U.S. Senate has confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus to serve as the 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Nordhaus will serve as the principal advisor to the secretary of defense on National Guard issues and will be responsible for ensuring the manning, training, and equipping of more than 430,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Read Full Story |
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Ridgewood unveils monument for Gold Star FamiliesTom Krosnowski | News12 | September 29, 2024
The last Sunday of September is recognized nationally as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.
It’s a day to honor the families who have lost a loved one while serving our country. American Legion Post 53 in Ridgewood calls Gold Star families “the unseen part of Memorial Day.”
Their new monument unveiled on Sunday is just the second in New Jersey to honor the sacrifices of military families.
“They put our country's security above their own,” said Gold Star survivor Maria Bombace. “These families put their chins up and their shoulders back no matter what the country asked them. We still need to honor the families. We need to break the silence.” Full Story with Video |
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‘Match made in heaven.’ Organization pairs veterans with therapy dogsJim Murdoch | News12 | September 30, 2024
An Iraq War veteran struggling with PTSD now has some much-needed help from a four-legged friend.
“Been to war twice, came back. Everything was kind of normal until it wasn’t,” said Anthony Dellaratto.
It’s been 20 years since Dellaratto saw combat in the Iraqi desert.
“You hear a fire whistle and you cringe. You hear an explosion and duck,” he said.
Along came Clementine, a 1-year-old pit mix, picked up by the Bergen County Animal Shelter as a stray.
Full Story with Video |
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New Jersey Fallen Heroes Memorial | In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom.
In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. | Memorial Inscription"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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Sergeant John Basilone |
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October 15, 1845 |
Ellis Hamilton was born in Philadelphia. Hamilton moved to Camden, New Jersey, with his family at the age of four. Commissioned a second lieutenant in Company E, Fifteenth New Jersey regiment, in 1862, at the age of sixteen, he was the youngest New Jersey officer and perhaps the youngest officer in the Union army. Hamilton was promoted to first lieutenant and captain before being mortally wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. He died at a Washington hospital on May 16 and was buried in Trenton. His letters survive in Rutgers University’s Alexander Library in New Brunswick. |
October 18, 1753 |
Joseph Bloomfield was born in Woodbridge. Bloomfield studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1775 and established a practice in Bridgeton. With the outset of the Revolutionary War, he was commissioned a captain in the Third New Jersey Battalion. Bloomfield fought at Brandywine, where he was wounded, and Monmouth, rising to the rank of major, and was appointed judge advocate of the Northern Army before resigning to take a seat in the New Jersey Assembly. He served as governor in all but one year between 1801 and 1812, during which he engineered the state’s Gradual Abolition Act, resigning to return to the service as a general in the War of 1812. One of New Jersey’s most notable soldies and governors, Bloomfield died on October 3, 1823 in Burlington.
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October 19, 1864 |
First Lieutenant William Burroughs Ross, Company B, 14th New Jersey Volunteers, killed in action near Middletown, Virginia, October 19, 1864. A cheerful, friendly man with a great love of music, William Burroughs Ross enlisted as a private in the 14th New Jersey Volunteers in the summer of 1862. He brought his guitar with him when he went to war and quickly became one of the most popular men in the regiment. His skills led to promotion to sergeant-major and, later to 1st lieutenant of the 14th's Company B. At the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864, he was shot and killed. He was buried in Trenton, NJ. His wartime correspondence and his beloved guitar can be found at the Monmouth County Historical Association, Freehold, NJ.
| October 22, 1777 |
During the Revolutionary War, Continental Army soldiers were stationed at Fort Mercer on the Delaware River to keep the British and their Hessian mercenary allies from resupplying troops in nearby Philadelphia. On Oct. 22, 1777, the Army repelled a major assault by Hessian forces. Little-known today, the Battle of Red Bank was brief and ferocious, marking one of the worst defeats the Hessians suffered in the war.
| October 24, 1942 |
US Marine Corps Sergeant John Basilone of Raritan, commanding a machine gun section defending Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, held off an attack by Japanese soldiers, fighting for three days and nights without sleep, and ending the battle firing at them with his .45 caliber automatic pistol. |
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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.
Subscribe to DMAVA Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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