11 July 2003

Volume 2, Number 13

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria F. Morgan

Deputy Adjutant General

COL Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

Thought for the day..

"It ain't the heat, it's the humility."

.Yogi Berra

The four major credit bureaus in the US (Equifax, etc.) will be allowed to release credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc. to ANYONE who requests it.  If you do not want to be included in this release of your personal information, you can call 1-888-567-8688.  Once the message starts you will want Option #2.  Be sure to listen closely. The first option is only for a two-year period.  Make sure you wait until they prompt for the second option, which opts you out forever.  You should receive paperwork in the mail confirming the "opting out" in less than one week after calling.  For further information, visit http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfprivacy02/focus.htm, Consumer Focus:  Taking Steps to Protect Your Privacy.

The NJDMVA SAA has just completed the third quarter in the 2003 VA/SAA contract year.  Our agency continues to focus on outreach and development of job training activities as directed by VA Central Office and members of Congress, particularly Congressman Chris Smith, current Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.  There are 150 active job-training sites for the fiscal year representing approximately $1 million in benefits brought into the state of New Jersey's economy.  The bulk of GI Bill education program dollars in the state are generated through college and university enrollment.  As reported by the VA, the total amount of benefits brought into the state to date is $29 million.

The Installations Division awarded 43 contracts valued at $44,669,558 during the past state fiscal year.  The projects covered various Armories, Veteran Memorial Homes, the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, and the Homeland Security Center of Excellence (HSCOE).  Projects included nine fire suppression projects, four asbestos abatement, four window replacements, three roof replacements, crypt fields at the cemetery, generator support to HSCOE, and the construction of the replacement Vineland Veterans Home.  The inconvenience of the construction is temporary; the improvements to your workspace are permanent.

On 9 July 2003, Sra Mike Hungerbuhler from the Munitions Storage Area (AMMO) was getting his jet ski ready for use in Ocean City.  A ski instructor informed Sra Hungerbuhler that there had been a bad jet ski accident out in the back bay and that three people were involved.  Sra Hungerbuhler jumped on his jet ski to see if he could help.  As he approached the scene, he saw damaged skis and three individuals in the water.  He went over to one of the injured and noticed that her left leg was severed below the knee and that the victim was losing a lot of blood.  Sra Hungerbuhler began to talk to the victim (a 17 year old female named Megan) to calm her down and immediately began to render first aid.  He applied a tourniquet to Megan's leg and stopped the bleeding.  She was then transported to the Atlantic City Medical Center.  The New Jersey Air National Guard is very proud of Sra Hungerbuhler for his unselfish act and for applying skills that he has learned in the NJANG.

During the month of May, two of our State Veterans Service Officers received notification that the veterans they represented received a total of $1,385,356 in benefits.  Edna Jones, whose office is in Jersey City, accounted for $861,100 dollars.  John Valenta, who works out of the Mays Landing office, was responsible for securing $524,256 for his veteran clients.  Keep up the good work!

On Friday night, 11 July 2003, a party will be held at the Sovereign Bank Arena, Route 129, Trenton, New Jersey to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the Anchor House Ride for Runaways.  This event, which is free to the public, will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Vintage cars and a military humvee will be on display.  For the kids, there will be a skateboarding park, clowns, face painting, and musical performances.  The New Jersey National Guard will land a helicopter in the parking lot for a static display and lift off at 8:30 p.m. to conclude the ceremony.

J            An ant can lift 50 times its own weight.

J            A male kangaroo is called a Boomer.

J            Beavers were once the size of bears.

J            A duck can't walk without bobbling its head.

J            A starfish is the only animal that can turn its stomach inside out.

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.