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November 27, 2024 |  |
Ready To Serve ★ Proud To Have Served |
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U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, NJ on November 25, 2024. |
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Happy Thanksgiving |
As our families gather this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I am grateful for so very many things.
I am grateful for the 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard, with special thoughts and prayers for those who continue to serve overseas.
I am grateful for the dedicated DMAVA workforce and their tireless devotion to our treasured New Jersey Veterans.
And I am grateful for the leaders who have paved the way for success at every level of the organization, who have made our teams effective and processes efficient, and who continue to teach and mentor our young service members.
On Monday, I addressed our DMAVA and NJ National Guard team for the first time as brigadier general. This is a singular honor after a four-decade-long career in service to our state and nation. Most importantly, I know I can rely on the strong corps of enlisted and officer leaders who live and understand the operations tempo we have endured for years now.
And as we speak, I am grateful as the first group of Soldiers from the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team finally return home to their families from a nearly year-long deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The entire NJ National Guard family eagerly awaits the homecoming of the rest of our Army Guard brothers and sisters in arms.
I am also grateful for the abundant resources available to us as servicemembers, Veterans, federal technicians, and NJ state employees. Please know that you are not alone this holiday season. Your wingmen and battle buddies are always just a text or phone call away. I say again: you are an important part of our DMAVA and Jersey Guard family, with a seat at our table and a place in our full hearts.
Be safe and have a very happy Thanksgiving! |
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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.
Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays
Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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DMAVA Calendar |
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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Governor Murphy Promotes The Adjutant General of New JerseyDMAVA Public Affairs | November 25, 2024
Lawrenceville - U.S. Air Force Col. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, was today promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in a ceremony officiated by Governor Philip D. Murphy.
“Brigadier General Mays is an exemplary leader who has served our country with honor for more than four decades,” said Governor Murphy. “Our Garden State heroes are in the best possible hands with her at the helm of DMAVA.”
“Today, the National Guard faces unprecedented challenges, but we are not alone, nor is this the first time we have encountered such difficulties,” said Brig. Gen. Mays, addressing more than 500 supporters and well-wishers in attendance from the New Jersey Legislature, National Guard, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Veterans Memorial Homes. “Our legacy is built on the foundation laid by the leaders present in this room. Throughout my tenure, I will take full responsibility for continuing and enhancing the excellent work done by these remarkable Americans.”
Full News Release | View Images | Facebook Video |
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 | Veterans Day Observance
Thank you Governor Phil Murphy and Tammy Murphy for hosting our state's heroes at historic Drumthwacket on November 13, 2024.
Col. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey emceed the event and met with New Jersey Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations. View Images |
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| | | 508th Military Police Company
Col. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, along with New Jersey National Guard leadership, greeted Soldiers with the 508th Military Police Company, 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 42nd Regional Support Group, New Jersey Army National Guard, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ on November 15 & 21, 2024.
About 100 Soldiers returned from a nearly year-long deployment to the southwest border where they supported U.S. Customs and Border Protection. View Images |
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63rd Army BandThe NJ National Guard's 63rd Army Band Jazz Combo had the privilege of being the featured performers for the Veterans Day Observance hosted by Governor and Mrs. Murphy at the Governor's Mansion in Princeton, NJ on November 13, 2024.
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21st WMD-CST U.S. Army Soldiers and Air Force Airmen with the New Jersey National Guard’s 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team trained at the Middlesex County Fire Academy at Sayreville, NJ on November 14, 2024.
The 21st WMD-CST identifies chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances; assess and advises civil authorities on response measures to man-made or natural disasters. View Images |
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 | 177th Fighter Wing
Last week, senators, assemblymen, assemblywomen and their aides, from the New Jersey State Legislature, visited the 177th Fighter Wing for a base tour.
They were accompanied by The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs U.S. Air Force Col. Yvonne Mays, Col. Derek Routt, chief of staff of the NJ Air National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Miller, the command chief of the NJ Air National Guard,
The group was briefed on the 177th FW mission, viewed the inside of an F-16C Fighting Falcon cockpit at the Aerospace Control Alert facility and ended the tour with a group photo in front of the Wing jet on the flightline.
Thank you to the members of the NJ State Legislature for visiting our Wing. It was a pleasure to have you here! |
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 | State Partnership Program
Soldiers with the 254th Regional Training Site-Maintenance and 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, along with Airmen with the 177th Fighter Wing, conducted vehicle maintenance along with Albanian Armed Forces Soldiers at the Land Forces Headquarters, Zall-Herr, Tirana, Albania, November 19, 2024.
The New Jersey National Guard trained with Albanian Armed Forces November 18-22nd as part of the U.S Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program. |
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(Pictured l-to-r) Vincent Solomeno III, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Ruth Kaluski, Statewide Director for Strategic Programs and Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Association in New Jersey; and Dr. Mary Ditri, Vice President of Community Health, New Jersey Hospital Association. |
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DMAVA and NJHA begin "Faith-Based Resilience Initiative" for Mental Health First Aid Training
Leaders from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the New Jersey Hospital Association hosted a Mental Health First Aid Training meeting at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Neptune, NJ on November 14, 2024.
The event marks the start of the “Faith Based Resilience Initiative” for Mental Health First Aid Training in New Jersey. This initiative strives to connect with faith leaders and their communities to equip them with the tools to recognize mental health and substance abuse disorders in our veterans and refer them to the appropriate services. View Images |
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DMAVA Announces $500K for Vulnerable Veterans
On November 22, 2024, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Vincent Solomeno announced $500,00 in grant funding to the Education and Health Centers of America (EHCA). The announcement, part of Solomeno's 21 County Veterans Tour, also included an appreciation luncheon for the residents and staff of Veteran’s Haven North (VHN).
During the luncheon, which was held to show appreciation to the facility and veterans who reside there, Richard McCourt, the CEO for EHCA, spoke of the collaboration between VHN and EHCA in assisting veterans through the EHCA’s Incarcerated Veterans Initiative.
McCourt also presented David Culley, the superintendent of VHN, with an award to show appreciation for their collaboration. The grant is made possible by Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature.
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 | DCVA's 21-County Tour Continues in Wildwoods
Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Vincent Solomeno visited the Wildwoods' Vietnam Remembrance Wall in Cape May County, November 21, 2024.
The wall lists the 58,913 names of our country's fallen heroes from the Vietnam War etched on its panels and stretches for 240 feet along the existing sidewalks of Columbus Park.
Lest we forget. |
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 | State Medal Ceremony
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony at the Complete Care at Whispering Woods in Edison, NJ on November 16, 2024.
Pictured is New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal recipient Army Pfc. Robert M. Watkins along with Col. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey. View Images |
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Danielle Cardoso, Ocean County VSOVeterans Service Officer Danielle Cardoso discussed veterans benefits with Vietnam Army Veteran Paul Nash at the Veterans Resource Fair hosted by the Westlake Community Veterans Club in Jackson, NJ on November 13, 2024.
To contact Danielle or one of her colleagues around the state, please visit our website at Veterans Service Offices. |
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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 Force
Drug Enforcement Administration agents in partnership with the New Jersey National Guard CounterDrug Task Force collected and disposed of prescription medications during Operation Take Back New Jersey on October 29, 2024.
Operation Take Back NJ is a biannual event that allows residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications consequence-free. Residents are encouraged to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medication safely.
With 237 collection sites across the state and 214 participating Law Enforcement Agencies, a total of 13,016 lbs. of unwanted prescription medications were collected and disposed of at the Covanta Essex Resource Recovery Facility in Newark, NJ.
For more information visit DEA Take Back Day.
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 | NJYCA Open House
On November 22, 2024, the NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy Admissions Department hosted an Open House event to promote awareness of the Academy and our Partners.
Attendees received an orientation brief on the Academy and a tour of the ChalleNGe facilities. The tour of the facilities was led by select Class 58 Cadets who showed the dining hall, barracks and the schoolhouse. The Cadets were able to explain and show what their day-to-day life entails and share their personal experiences.
A huge thank you to the Deputy Adjutant General Brig. Gen. L. Michael LaPoint, Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn, Assemblyman Gerry Scharefenberger, the office of U.S. Senator Corey Booker, and Chief of Sea Girt Police Justin Macko for attending the event! View Images |
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Ribbon-Cutting for Toms River VA ClinicOn November 18, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs celebrated the opening of a new 68,000-square-foot clinic in Toms River, NJ.
The facility, which began construction in 2021, enhances healthcare services for veterans in the region.
The event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marked stop nine on Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Vincent Solomeno’s 21 County Veterans Tour. Solomeno addressed veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and all attendees, emphasizing the importance of the new facility.
Senator Cory Booker, Senator-elect Andy Kim, Congressman Chris Smith, and Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA Under Secretary for Health, were also present, highlighting the state’s commitment to comprehensive veteran care.
Watch Facebook Video |
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DOD Installation access simplified: Three updates for Veterans and caregiversVA News | November 15, 2024
Veterans and eligible caregivers will soon have easier access to Department of Defense (DOD) installations for Veterans. Beginning Nov. 1, 2024, the updated process announced by VA and DOD will streamline both enrollment and access to installations. More information can be found in DOD’s fact sheet.
DOD installations provide important services to Veterans and their caregivers, such as health care, shopping, and certain Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) services, like golf courses, movie theaters and clubs. Read Full Release |
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DCVA announces $500,000 state grant for NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders GroupLeaders from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Passaic County, NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group, and Catholic Charities-Diocese of Paterson gathered to discuss initiatives in assisting veterans and reducing veteran homelessness to functional zero at the Passaic County Administration Building in Paterson, NJ on November 26, 2024.
During his visit to Passaic County, Vincent Solomeno III, the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, announced that a $500,000 state grant via DMAVA has been awarded to NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group to help continue their work of fostering mental health resilience, providing emergency housing and helping veterans in New Jersey.
View Images |
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 | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City held their annual Veterans Day event for Veteran employees on November 8, 2024.
Brigadier General (ret) Patrick Kennedy, Superintendent of Veterans Haven South, was one of the guest speakers along with Colonel Brian Cooper from the NJ Air National Guard.
Hard Rock President, George Goldhoff, presented General Kennedy with a $10,000 donation for Veterans Haven South. |
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 | Generous Donations
Last week members of VFW Auxiliary - Post 9503 took donations to Vineland, Paramus, and Menlo Park nursing homes.
Among the items donated were televisions, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, sweatshirts and pants, and the fan favorite... branch of service and Vietnam Veteran hats.
We couldn't be happier to serve these men and women who served.
Image and caption courtesy VFW Auxiliary - Post 9503. |
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 | East Brunswick D-Day hero no longer forgotten
MyCentralJersey.com | November 11, 2024
Philip Streczyk is no longer forgotten.
Streczyk, one of New Jersey's most decorated combat veterans of World War II, was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, four Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart, for 440 days of combat in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany. He was one of the first men off Omaha Beach on D-Day.
On Friday, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs presented the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to his son Ron, who accepted the award on behalf of the Streczyk family at the East Brunswick VFW Post 133. Read Full Story with Images
Editor's Note: See additional feature by TAPinto Edison. |
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 | 'It's finally here!' Find out what's inside the new, expanded VA Clinic in Toms River
Jean Mikle | Asbury Park Press | November 19, 2024
TOMS RIVER - "It's finally here!" Patricia O'Kane exclaimed, to a round of raucous applause.
O'Kane, executive medical center director of the VA New Jersey Healthcare System, was hailing the grand opening ceremony of the long-awaited Veterans Affairs Clinic on Hooper Avenue, a 68,000-square-foot facility that began seeing patients late last month.
But on Monday, O'Kane, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA's under secretary for health, and a raft of dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and U.S. Sen.-elect Andy Kim, both D-N.J., and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., helped cut a bright red ribbon to officially mark the clinic's opening. Read Full Story |
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 | Helping NJ vets deal with mental health issues, substance use
Bobby Brier | NJ Spotlight News | November 20, 2024
Faith leaders in New Jersey are learning how to identify the signs of mental health distress and substance use issues among veterans within their communities as part of a statewide mental health training program.
Last week, they gathered with veterans, health care professionals and state officials at a church in Neptune to announce the second phase of a mental health first-aid training program aimed at preventing suicide among veterans and addressing their mental health needs.
In 2023, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs partnered with the New Jersey Hospital Association and the Mental Health Association of New Jersey to launch the first phase of the program, which aimed to teach members of community organizations about the signs of distress among veterans, service members and their families and how to connect them with services where they could get help.
Read Full Story |
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 | William "Bill" F. Thomson
November 6, 1949 – November 21, 2024
William (Bill) F. Thomson passed away on November 21, 2024 lovingly surrounded by his family.
A proud Marine, Bill served in Vietnam with “A” Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines as an infantryman, from November 1968 until November 1969.
Bill continued to work for Veterans issues during and after his career in New Jersey state service. In 2008, he was appointed to serve on Governor Corzine’s Yellow Ribbon Commission, which he was given the responsibility to develop a program to treat returning National Guard members returning from the battlefield for potential PTSD problems. In 2019 Bill was nominated by Governor Murphy to serve on the Paramus Veterans Home Advisory Board.
Bill was interred at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Read Full Obituary |
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Military Funeral Honors
The Military Funeral Honors Team from the New Jersey Army National Guard performed 3,642 missions in FY 2024. |
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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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Air Force Ace Donald Strait with Governor Driscoll. |
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November 27, 1777 |
New Jersey Militia General Philemon Dickinson led a force of 1,400 militiamen on a massive raid on Staten Island and captured 200 men of the Loyalist New Jersey Volunteers, most of them recently recruited in Bergen County. | November 30, 1776 |
British General William Howe, then in the process of driving the remnants of General George Washington’s American Army out of New Jersey, optimistically advised Lord George Germain, Secretary of State for America, that he intended to decisively crush the rebellion in America in the forthcoming year. Needless to say, that prediction, as with many in war, did not work out. | November 30, 1967 |
 | Captain Eleanor Grace Alexander, a US Army nurse from River Vale, was killed in an aircraft crash near Qui Nhon while returning from a mission to Pleiku. She was the only New Jersey woman to die in the Vietnam War. |
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December 3, 1918 |
New Jersey National Guard Sergeant William O. Nicol of Jersey City was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism…in action near Verdun, France” while serving with Company A of the Twenty-ninth Division’s 111th Machine-Gun Battalion. His citation noted that “Sergeant Nicol’s section was caught in a hostile barrage, by which two of his men were killed and five wounded. Sergeant Nicol led the rest of the section to shelter and then returned under shell fire and rescued the wounded.” Nicol, a Jersey City police officer in civilian life, retired from the New Jersey National Guard in 1947 as a major. |
December 5, 1944 |
Major Donald Strait, US Army Air Force, flying a P51 Mustang, shot down two German Focke-Wulf 190s, officially qualifying as an Ace. He ended the war with thirteen and a half kills. Born in East Orange in 1918, Strait was an enlisted man in the New Jersey National Guard’s 119th Observation Squadron before the war, and one of only two prewar National Guardsmen to become Aces. Strait rejoined the New Jersey Air National Guard after the war and rose to the rank of major general before retiring in 1978. |
December 6, 1886 | Alfred Joyce Kilmer, journalist, poet and World War I soldier, was born in New Brunswick. Kilmer was killed in action on July 30, 1918 while serving as a sergeant in the 165th Infantry regiment. |
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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
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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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