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March 19, 2025 |  | Ready To Serve ★ Proud To Have Served |
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Jacquelyn A. Suarez, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Community Affairs, and Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, attended the opening ceremony for the Bringing Veterans Home kick-off and training event on March 12, 2025. |
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Accessing Homelessness Prevention Services |
Last week, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Department of Community Affairs convened the Bringing Veterans Home street outreach teams, case management professionals, and the leaders of New Jersey Veterans Service Organizations. Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn Suarez and I kicked off the two-day training and folks got to work identifying workflows and processes to ensure that we are ready to meet the challenge of effectively ending veteran homelessness in the Garden State.
As you may have heard, Bringing Veterans Home is what I believe will be one of my team’s signal achievements: the surge of housing services to bring veteran homelessness to functional zero by July 1, 2026.
Led by the Department of Community Affairs and supported by DMAVA, we have increased the availability of emergency, short term, and permanent housing vouchers for unhoused veterans and their families. This expansion is supported by six regional street outreach teams and case management services to ensure that once we identify those in need, we support them for the long haul.
This is a bold and ambitious effort. Success will require the support of readers like you.
If you remember anything I write in this message, remember this: if you encounter a veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, contact DMAVA’s Vet2Vet Helpline at 1-866-838-7654, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or go to bvh.dca.nj.gov.
We are in the fight. |
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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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ICYMI: Murphy Administration Surges Resources to Reduce Veterans Homelessness to Functional Zero
Press Release | March 13, 2025
SEA GIRT, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) yesterday began a two-day training session at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt highlighting New Jersey’s Bringing Veterans Home initiative to reduce veterans’ homelessness to functional zero. The Bringing Veterans Home initiative seeks to house all homeless veterans in the state by July 1, 2026, while strengthening the State’s homelessness prevention system so that any newly homeless veteran can be placed in stable housing within one month.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to uphold our nation’s freedom and deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for their service,” said Governor Murphy. “Our Administration is committed to providing the many veterans who call the Garden State home the support and resources they need to thrive. I am grateful to Commissioner Suárez and Brigadier General Mays for their continued efforts to ensure every veteran in New Jersey has a safe and dignified place to call home.”
“The Bringing Veterans Home initiative formally unites federal, state, and veteran service organizations throughout the state in the fight against unsheltered veteran homelessness,” said NJDCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Using this collaborative approach, we will be sheltering our homeless veterans this year and next, while creating a strategic framework that will carry momentum long into the future.”
“Bringing Veterans Home represents a groundbreaking step toward ensuring that no Veteran endures the hardship of homelessness.”” said Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, Commissioner of the NJDMAVA and the Adjutant General of New Jersey. “Thanks to Governor Murphy, the Legislature, the NJDCA and NJDMAVA teams and so many passionate volunteers throughout the entire state, we are in a position to effectively end veteran homelessness.
Read Full Press Release | View Event Images |
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 | 177th Fighter Wing
In February, Colonel Brian Cooper, 177th Maintenance Group commander, graduated from the Air National Guard’s Cold Weather Operations Course (CWOC), at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minnesota.
The purpose of the course was to train Airmen in arctic weather essential military skills such as cold-water immersion, extreme weather land-navigation, improvised shelters, camouflage and concealment, and winter fighting positions.
"If the mission requires us to fight in the Arctic; we must all be ready to brawl and winning is non-negotiable,” said Cooper.
Read Full Story |
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses | GI Bill
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DMAVA Outreach Campaign
DMAVA Outreach Specialist Luisa Sanchez, left, and Veteran Service Officer Tamara Corrado, right, discuss state and federal Veterans benefits with Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran Michael Cheeseborough at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission employees event in Trenton, NJ on March 10, 2025. |
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 | State Medal Ceremony
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony at the Ocean County Mall in Toms River, NJ on March 5, 2025. View Images |
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Yahaira Padilla, Passaic County VSOYahaira Padilla is the DMAVA Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for Passaic County.
If you know anyone in need of assistance regarding Veteran’s benefits, please contact Yahaira or one of her colleagues by visiting 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 |
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Veteran Homelessness | The mission of Bringing Veterans Home (BVH) is to effectively end veteran homelessness in New Jersey by enhancing existing systems, creating rapid access to housing, and ensuring homelessness becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring.
BVH creates a clear path to stable housing for veterans experiencing homelessness through a coordinated network of services and support. |
| Learn More / Refer a Veteran |
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Retirement SeminarOn March 8, 2025, the New Jersey National Guard Transition / Retirement Services Office held a retirement seminar at the Joint Military & Family Assistance Center in Bordentown.
New Jersey National Guard Servicemembers, retirees, and spouses can register for an upcoming retirement seminar at retirement.njarmyguard.com. |
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Requiring Public Universities and Colleges to Readmit Students Who Withdrew Due to Military ServicePress Release | March 7, 2025
TRENTON - Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation requiring New Jersey’s public universities and colleges to readmit students whose enrollment was interrupted due to military service. This includes service in the Armed Forces or as a member of the National Guard or Reserve - whether on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under federal or State authority.
Under the bill, the institution of higher education is required to readmit the student with the same academic status the student had before withdrawing. Readmission is to be granted upon written request by the student with no associated fees.
“We are committed to doing everything we can in New Jersey to support our service members and veterans, including ensuring that the brave men and women who selflessly put their studies on hold to answer the call to serve can pick up their college education exactly where they left off,” said Governor Murphy. “With today’s bill signing, we are underscoring our support for New Jersey’s active-duty service members and veterans by removing barriers to securing a college education.”
Full Press Release |
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 | Tax season guidance for VeteransVA News | February 6, 2025
As tax season approaches, many Veterans begin gathering their necessary financial documents and consulting with tax professionals. VA wants Veterans to know they may qualify for special tax breaks and free assistance programs to help them navigate the filing process and maximize their returns.
Whether a Veteran files their taxes independently or uses a tax professional, VA encourages Veterans and their loved ones to review the following tips and resources to both help them navigate the tax season with confidence and to avoid tax season scams.
Learn More |
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 | Civil Air Patrol
The New Jersey Air National Guard hosted cadets from five Civil Air Patrol detachments on a KC-46 orientation flight on March 4, 2025.
While waiting to board the aircraft the cadets received a familiarization briefing from members of the 140th Cyber Operations Squadron. |
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JROTC Det. NJ-20222
The Egg Harbor Township High School U.S. Air Force JROTC Det. NJ-20222 had the opportunity to tour the 177th Fighter Wing, gaining valuable insights into what Guard life is like.
During the tour, the students spoke to aircraft maintainers, explosive ordnance disposal Airmen, base firefighters, security forces defenders and an Air National Guard recruiter, learning what they do on a daily basis to help keep New Jersey and the United States safe.
Thanks, cadets. It was a pleasure to have you visit!
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CPT Eleanor Grace Alexander |
Eleanor Grace Alexander joined the Army Nurse Corps in May 1967, and attained the rank of Captain. After finishing her basic training at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, she was placed at the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, Vietnam in June 1967.
Alexander was killed on November 30, 1967. She was with twenty-six other people in a transport plane that crashed three miles south of their duty station.
She is the only woman from New Jersey killed in action. The town of River Vale has dedicated a park in her honor. NJVVMF Biography |
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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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US Air Force Major Beverly Huber of Pedricktown, NJ after leaving the last airplane full of troops from Vietnam in 1973. Major Huber told the press that she was "very pleased to be the last American lady out of Vietnam." |
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April 1, 1924 |
Brendan Byrne was born in West Orange. Byrne graduated from West Orange High School and attended Seton Hall University before enlisting in the US Army Air Force in World War II, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals during his service. He subsequently graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, entered politics and served as a New Jersey deputy attorney general and judge before running successfully for governor. Byrne was inaugurated as the state’s forty-seventh governor in 1974, served two terms and then went into private law practice in a Roseland firm. |
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April 2, 1777 |
New Jersey militiamen gathered up horses, cattle and sheep near Secaucus to keep them out of British hands. Due to a lack of boats, they had to swim the livestock across the Hackensack River. | April 2, 1865 |
New Jersey soldiers of the First and Second New Jersey Brigades fought in the Army of the Potomac’s breakthrough of the Confederate Lines at Petersburg, forcing General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia to retreat west to Appomattox, where Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, effectively ending the Civil War. |
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National Guard Militia Museum of NJ One Museum | Two Locations
Free Admission |
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 | Sea Girt |
Monday-Friday 10AM to 3PM
Closed: Weekends and State Holidays |
| Plan Your Visit |
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 | Lawrenceville |
Monday-Friday 9AM to 3PM Saturday 10AM to 3PM
Closed: State Holidays |
| Plan Your Visit |
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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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