In addition to the signing of a proclamation by Governor James E. McGreevey recognizing National Guard Week and National Guard Day, Thursday, 15 May 2003, National Guard Day was marked by the passage of the following Assembly bills:

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ, will be held on Saturday, 24 May 2003.  Color Guard units representing various veterans' organizations will lead a march at 10:30 a.m.  The Memorial Service will begin at 11 a.m.

In honor of Americans who died in service to the nation, the White House Commission is encouraging US citizens to participate in a 60-second moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, 26 May 2003, the national observance of Memorial Day.  Congress established the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance on December 28, 2000.  The Commission's mission is to promote the values of Memorial Day by acts of remembrance throughout the year; institutionalize the National Moment of Remembrance; enhance the understanding of Memorial Day; and to educate the younger generation in American History.

The beach at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, New Jersey, will open this Saturday, 24 May 2003.   Lifeguards will be on duty weekends and holidays.  Beach passes will be issued to individuals who possess a Military or DMVA ID card.

NJ Air National Guard Chaplain, Lt Col Alphonse Stephenson will be the point of contact for professional candidates seeking a commissioning opportunity in the NJ Air National Guard.  Lt Col Stephenson will be working with the Wing staffs across the spectrum of professional recruiting and accession actions.

On 15 May 2003, BG William Marshall awarded 401 veterans the Distinguished Service or Meritorious Service Medal at two ceremonies held at the National Guard Armory in Teaneck, New Jersey.  CPT Allen Mellen and the 50th Maintenance Support Battalion hosted the ceremony.  On 21 May 2003, BG Thomas Sullivan awarded the Distinguished Service or Meritorious Service Medal to 149 veterans at a ceremony held at the National Guard Armory in Port Murray, New Jersey.  CPT William Morris and the 1^st Battalion, 102^nd Armor were hosts to the veterans and their families.  Honored guests at this ceremony included NJ Senator Leonard Lance, NJ Assemblywomen Alison Littell McHose and Connie Meyers, as well as Kristi-Victoria Petrides, who represented NJ Assemblyman Guy Gregg.  CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly served as Master of Ceremonies for these presentations.

The NJ ChalleNGe Youth Program currently has an employment opportunity for a traditional Guardsman.  ChalleNGe is looking for a new Social Studies teacher.  The hourly salary would be $11.40, and would rise to $18.96 for an individual with a Teaching Certificate. If you are interested or need additional information, you can contact ChalleNGe at: director@njchallenge.com.  

The deadline for nominations for the George W. Bush Award for Outstanding Employer Support of the Air National Guard has been extended from June 1 to July 1.  Nominations are due to HQs NJANG not later than 15 June 2003.  Additional information regarding this award can be found in the NEWBREAKS section of the May issue of National Guard magazine or at the NGAUS website: www.ngaus.org/whatisngaus/bush.asp. 

The NJ Advisory Committee for Women Veterans will dedicate their Minutewoman Monument at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, 6 June 2003, at 1 p.m.  This monument will honor all women veterans from the state of New Jersey who served, are serving, and will serve in the military.  Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF (Retired), President of the Board of Directors of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, will serve as our keynote speaker.  Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served.

Congratulations to the 254^th RTI, commanded by COL Watson, for successfully completing a TRADOC Accreditation Inspection on 7-9 March 2003.  The U.S. Army Armor School from Ft. Knox, Kentucky conducted the inspection.  The 254^th RTI demonstrated it is fully capable of meeting the TRADOC schoolhouse standards in conducting training for our most valuable asset, our soldiers.  COL Watson and his staff are to be commended on a job well done.

Officials from the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, announced that the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is a period of increased off-duty injuries caused by increased activity and risk taking.  Safety awareness and risk management is critical during this time period because people take advantage of the summer weather for sports and recreational activities, as well as hitting the road for vacations.  Memorial Day weekend ranks as one of the deadliest holidays for alcohol-impaired driving.  Driving while impaired, speeding, and fatigue are the leading contributing factors in fatal motor vehicle mishaps.  Safety Officials caution us to consider the following factors when planning summer travel:  wear seatbelts; remain alert and plan rest breaks at frequent intervals; don't speed - it's better to arrive late than no arrive at all; don't drink alcohol and drive; and anticipate the unexpected and be ready to react.   Designating a non-drinking driver this Memorial Day weekend is one way to help ensure that the holiday is safe for your friends and loved ones.

"With public sentiment, nothing can fail.  Without it, nothing can succeed."  President Abraham Lincoln's words are as true today as they were in his own time, and as America's airmen - active, Guard, and Reserve - face the great challenges of the war on terrorism, our success will depend on the support of the American people.  As families, employers, and communities across the nation share the burdens of our service, commanders at every level must cultivate the relationships that form the foundation of public support for our airmen.  Your Guardians of Freedom is a web-based program designed to help commanders and their staffs reach out to key audiences on their bases, in their communities, and beyond to tell the story of the American airmen tireless fighting the global war on terrorism.  While this program centers on grassroots, base-level communication, elements like the Parent and Employer Pins facilitate public outreach from the very top of the Air Force chain of command.  Details of the program are available at the website http://www.yourguardiansoffreedom.com. 

This year's DMVA Picnic will be held on Friday, 27 June 2003, at the John F. Mann Recreational Park, Building 6045, Fort Dix, NJ.  Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Reservations must be made by 20 June 2003.  Contact your office rep or Marie Durling at 609-530-4802.

The Department of Defense will observe Memorial Day 2003 at bases and deployed locations worldwide marking the start of "Operation Tribute to Freedom," which will be a sustained and widespread program of activities in appreciation for our men and women in uniform and the families that support them.  "Our men and women in uniform are performing brilliantly and have sacrificed much in the global war against terrorism.  They have earned the thanks of all Americans," said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield.  "In the coming days, weeks, and months, Americans across the country will have the opportunity to participate in nationwide and local efforts to thank returning servicemembers for defending freedom around the world," said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Victoria Clarke.  Operation Tribute to Freedom information will be available starting Friday, 23 May, at http://www.defendamerica.mil. 

The summer Ozone Action season began on May 20, 2003.  This year, in addition to Ozone Action (red) days, Ozone Health Watch (orange) days will be issued.  On these days sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with lung diseases, may experience adverse health effects, and are advised to take precautions, such as limiting their time outdoors.  The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has posted additional information on their website, www.dvrpc.org.  Click on the red Ozone Action logo for real-time air quality information and forecasts for anywhere in New Jersey.

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

The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is the state's official fish, having been so declared by Chapter 342 of the Laws of 1991.  The Legislature passed Assembly Bill 2608 and Governor James J. Florio signed it January 8, 1992, at Hopatcong Middle School, Hopatcong.

·          When William joined the Army, he disliked the phrase "fire at will."

·          Army doctors are involved in big, military operations.

·          An Army officer is a position that some people shoot for.

·          The military head is seeking more arms.

·          When do King Arthur's men practice?  Joust at night.

J            The average human eats 8 spiders in his/her lifetime while sleeping.

J            There are 1 million ants for every person in the world.

J            Termites eat through wood two times faster when listening to rock music.

J            If you keep a goldfish in a dark room, it will eventually turn white.

J            Elephants sleep only two hours a day