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June 11, 2025 |  |
Ready To Serve ★ Proud To Have Served |
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Honoring 250 Years of the U.S. Army |
In 2025, our nation will pause to honor the 250th birthday of the United States Army - a force forged in revolution, refined in resilience, and always ready to serve. From June 14, 1775 to today, generations of Soldiers and Army civilians have stood on the front lines of freedom, guided by the Army's enduring motto: "This We’ll Defend."
This historic milestone offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the Army’s role in shaping our republic, defending liberty, and leading through times of peace and conflict. As the celebrations unfold across the country, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs proudly joins in recognizing the extraordinary legacy of service - past, present, and future.
Whether you're a veteran, a military family member, or a supporter of our armed forces, there’s a place for you in this commemoration. From reenactments to community ceremonies and educational campaigns, this effort honors not only the Army’s founding but its continuing mission to defend and serve.
This year, New Jersey Governor Murphy signed a State of New Jersey Executive Department Proclamation designating June 8 through June 14, 2025 as Military250 Week.
We encourage all New Jerseyans to engage with this national celebration - whether through local events, digital storytelling, or simply taking a moment to thank a Soldier. As always, we remain committed to honoring our military heritage and standing with those who wear the uniform.
This we’ll defend - then, now, and always.
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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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Honor and RememberBrig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, laid a wreath in honor and remembrance of Staff Sergeant Frank T. Carvill, Specialist Christopher M. Duffy, Staff Sergeant Humberto F. Timoteo, and Sergeant Ryan E. Doltz on the campus of the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in Lawrenceville, NJ on June 3, 2025.
The four New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers, who all served with the 3-112th Field Artillery Regiment, were killed in action in Iraq, June 4-5, 2004. |
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 | Republic of Cyprus
In May, the Chief of The National Guard for Cyprus, Lt. Gen. Georgios Tsitsikostas, other members of the Cyprus National Guard, and members of the New Jersey Air and Army National Guard, visited the 177th Fighter Wing.
During the tour, they were briefed on the 177th mission by the Wing commander, talked to a member of the 177th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, and got up close to an F-16C Fighting Falcon static display.
Cyprus is a part of the New Jersey National Guard State Partnership Program along with the Republic of Albania. The State Partnership Program helps build enduring relationships with foreign nations.
It was an honor to have you here!
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177th Fighter WingFrom May 10-22, 2025, Defenders with the 177th Security Forces Squadron deployed to Yokota Air Base, Japan, in support of the 49th Annual Japan-America Friendship Festival.
The team conducted integrated security operations alongside the 374th Security Forces Squadron, allied partners, and other National Guard units, to ensure the safety of more than 117,000 attendees.
Their efforts safeguarded approximately $1.8 billion in U.S. Air Force assets and helped strengthen international partnerships through a professional and unified presence.
Outstanding work by all involved - Defenders leading from the front! |
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 | The Adjutant General's Match
New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed in The Adjutant General's Match small arms marksmanship competition at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ on May 21-22, 2025.
The State Marksmanship Program ran the TAG Match, which consisted of 33 New Jersey National Guardsmen, and the winners will advance to the National Guard Bureau's Marksmanship Competition later this year.
The event was kicked off by The Adjutant General, Brigadier General Yvonne Mays, hitting a steel target with the M110A1 SDMR (Squad Designated Marksman Rifle).
Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Cory Van Dyke, with 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, on winning 1st place overall!
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 | State Medal Ceremony
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. L. Mike LaPoint, Deputy Adjutant General of New Jersey, presided over a State Medal Ceremony at the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Justice Complex Building, in Trenton, NJ on May 28, 2025. View Images |
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 | Veterans Health Fair & Luncheon
Vincent Solomeno III, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and Esther Chucaralao, Director of Veterans Services, joined community and veteran leaders for the Veterans Health Fair & Luncheon at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park in Essex County on May 30, 2025.
Partnerships like these provide Veterans and their families with access to the essential health services they have earned and deserve. |
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 | VFW Annual Convention
Congratulations to Veterans of Foreign Wars - New Jersey on another successful convention! DMAVA looks forward to meeting with leadership, Veterans, auxiliaries, and volunteers in the weeks ahead.
Vincent Solomeno III, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and Esther Chucaralao, Director of Veterans Services, presented VFW State Commander Luddie Austin with the New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal on May 29, 2025. |
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Marine Corps League Annual Convention
Camaraderie, fellowship, tradition: always an honor to attend the Marine Corps League - Department of New Jersey annual convention in Galloway Twp.
Vincent Solomeno III, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, presented Department Commandant Mike Waluk with the New Jersey Commendation Medal on May 31, 2025.
DMAVA works side by side with our state's veterans service organizations, including the Marine Corps League, toward the shared mission of supporting New Jersey's heroes every day. |
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 | New Jersey Elks
Community, friendship, charity: Esther Chucaralao, Director of Veterans Services, presented NJ Elks State President Michael Penchenski III with the New Jersey Commendation Medal on June 6, 2025.
From Lake Hopatcong to Greater Wildwood, DMAVA welcomes the opportunity to work with service organizations to support our state's heroes every day. |
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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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Six Triple Eight Day in New JerseyMay 18th is now "Six Triple Eight Day in New Jersey" and was signed into law last month by Governor Phil Murphy.
May 18th is the birthday of 6888 soldier Marion VanOrkey, an Allentown, NJ native who was a member of the Battalion and whose story prompted The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) to seek passage of a bill designating every May 18th as “Six Triple Eight Day".
In June 2025, the New Jersey Historical Commission's African American History Program is launching a series of essays called "Freedom Seeker" exploring the centuries-long Black liberation heritage of New Jersey for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The first essay will explore the lives of the New Jersey Black women in the 6888.
The 6888th Central Postal Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. The women received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022 for clearing a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail to and from 7 million U.S. servicemen fighting in the European Theater of World War II in just three months during 1945.
Image and caption courtesy of the NJ Historical Commission. |
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 | New Jersey State Archives
We’ve got a new exhibit up in the Manuscript Reading Room for the month of June!
Our latest display highlights the remarkable life of Sgt. George Ashby – the last surviving Civil War veteran from New Jersey.
Born into slavery in Virginia, Ashby served in the U.S. Colored Troops. His unit was stationed in Virginia during the war and Texas after. He lived an incredible 102 years, passing away in 1946.
Image and caption courtesy of the NJ State Archives. |
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Share your story with “VLM for Living Veterans”VA News | May 14, 2025
“VLM for Living Veterans” allows Veterans to share their life stories today.
Made possible by the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM), the new online feature is free and it enables Veterans to securely share their photos, autobiographies, military and life milestone achievements, and historical documents about their lives.
All you need to do is sign up for and be approved for a pre-need eligibility determination with VA. Pre-need eligibility is a way to find out if you’re eligible to be buried in a VA national cemetery ahead of time.
VA will keep your personal content secure until you pass and are approved for a burial or memorial benefit. Following approval, your content will become public and appear on your VLM personal page.
Read Full Story |
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 | After Princeton graduation, ROTC students are commissioned as U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force officers
Rebekah Schroeder | Office of Communications | May 28, 2025
Twelve members of Princeton’s Class of 2025 became commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force on May 27 during a ceremony led by Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, a Class of 1987 alumnus who was commissioned through Princeton’s ROTC program more than 30 years ago.
Cavoli serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of the U.S. European Command. The ROTC Commissioning was held in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall in the afternoon, following Princeton’s Commencement. Read Full Story |
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 | Pinning Ceremony
Today on May 29th 2025, Brigadier General (Retired) Cindy Jebb, President of Ramapo College of New Jersey, held a special pinning ceremony to commemorate, our very own, 2LT Nicholas Calhman’s commission into the Army - specifically the New Jersey Army National Guard.
Image and caption courtesy Seton Hall Army ROTC. |
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 | Audubon High School
Students and staff members from the Audubon Junior and Senior High School First Responder and Health Prep Club visited the 177th Fighter Wing for a base tour.
They received a 177th mission, met with an F-16 fighter pilot and saw an F-16C Fighting Falcon in the main hangar, were briefed by a member of Aircrew Flight Equipment, visited with Medical Group Airmen, climbed inside an Explosive Ordnance Disposal vehicle, and visited the 177th Fire House.
Thanks for coming out, it was a pleasure having you! |
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American Legion Family Honors Veterans at Arlington
Henry Howard | American Legion | May 28, 2025
| Editor's Note: Chuck Robbins (pictured center) is the Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. |
American Legion National Vice Commander Charles “Chuck” Robbins usually visits Arlington National Cemetery during the organization’s Washington Conference.
On Memorial Day, Robbins attended the annual ceremonies and came away with a different experience.
“It felt a little different today,” he said. “It was truly an honor but different from back when I laid a wreath in a much smaller ceremony as department commander. It’s a hallowed place, just incredible.”
Robbins, a member of American Legion Post 351 in Seaside Heights, N.J., served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1978 with both the 3rd Infantry Division and 18th Airborne Corps. His thoughts on Memorial Day were with his brother, Bill Robbins, who passed away about five years ago, and others.
“It was an incredible honor when National Commander James LaCoursiere asked me to represent him,” he said. “I am very humbled. I’m just a normal patriotic American. There were so many Gold Star families, so many stories of heroism. Such an honor to be there.” Read Full Story |
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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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The seven Weeks brothers. |
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| June 15, 1864 |
The Twenty-second United States Colored Infantry, a regiment composed mostly of New Jersey African-American soldiers, was part of a force that broke through the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. The Twenty-second captured an enemy fort and artillery pieces, but their army corps commander, Major General William F. “Baldy” Smith, halted the victorious advance. When Confederate reinforcements arrived, Petersburg was saved and a ten month siege of the critical rail junction began. |
June 18, 1812 | America declared war on Great Britain. New Jersey’s subsequent role was largely relegated to militia duty in coastal defense, although several New Jerseyans of note, including Zebulon Pike, William Bainbridge and James Lawrence, served in the army and navy, and a regular army regiment, the Fifteenth United States Infantry, was raised in the state. |
June 23, 1899 | Paterson-born George Henry Wanton, an African-American soldier serving in the Tenth United States Cavalry, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in saving stranded soldiers from his regiment in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. |
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June 23, 1943 |
United States Marine Corps Sergeant John Basilone of Raritan, NJ was awarded the Medal of Honor in Washington. A news report noted that “firing a machine gun and also using a pistol, Basilone piled up 38 Japanese bodies in front of his emplacement on Guadalcanal, October 24, 25th 1942." | June 25, 1776 |
General William Howe arrived off Staten Island with a fleet and an army prepared to capture New York and subdue the rebellion there and in New Jersey. | June 25, 1947 |
The seven Weeks brothers - Robert, Edward, Albert, John, LeRoy, James and Joseph of Jersey City - showed up to enlist in the 309th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery of the New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Armored Division. All but Joseph, an underage fifteen years old, were sworn into the organization, in the largest recorded group family military enlistment in New Jersey history. |
June 25, 1950 |
North Korea invaded South Korea, beginning the Korean War. More than 190,000 New Jerseyans served in the U.S. military during the war between 1950 and 1953, and 836 lost their lives. New Jerseyans Nelson V. Brittin of Audubon, Hector A. Cafferata of Montville and Samuel F. Coursen of Madison were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroism during the conflict. |
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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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