New Jersey Military and Veterans Affairs

On Aug. 26, 101 New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy students will graduate at the War Memorial in Trenton, N.J. The ceremony will be attended by family members, mentors, VIPs and members of the New Jersey Legislature. The event will culminate in recognizing the achievements of the graduates who have demonstrated superior performance in various academic areas and leadership roles.

Come join the 63rd New Jersey Army National Guard Band at Sea Girt on Aug. 26 for their summer concert. Start time is 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the music and the ambience.

On Sunday, Aug. 20, the 108th air Refueling Wing gathered for the Summer Commander’s Call and Family Day Celebration. After a ceremony which featured the Assumption of Command for the Medical Group and Col Cunniff’s recap of the Wing’s recent events, everyone enjoyed a beautiful day of food and recreation at Doughboy Field, Fort Dix. As usual, Family Day was a huge success! Master Sgt. Lou Kiesling, Master Sgt. Ron Tuminelli and their team worked hard with great results even though they had a very short planning timeline since they were fresh off the ORI.

The Theater at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, is offering discount tickets to military members and their families to attend Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music.” The show will be held on Sept. 21 and 22 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. 2 and 5:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $8-22 each depending on day and show time.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please e-mail Barbara.harbison@ njdmava.state.nj..us or call (609) 530-7088 for the form needed to send with payment for the tickets.

The Vietnam Era Forum will be held this year on Friday, Oct. 20. The theme is "Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Since the War." Keynote Speaker will be Jan C. Scruggs, founder of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

Heating and cooling systems are the biggest energy users in almost every home. The two main ways to combat energy waste here are:

1. Tighten up your house so it doesn't leak out all the air you paid to heat or cool.
2. Make sure your heating and cooling systems run as efficiently as possible.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.

In the Executive Branch of state government (including NJDMAVA), New Jersey’s laws and Ethics rules prohibit persons from being employed in the unclassified service of the civil service in any office or position of the State over which a relative exercises authority, supervision, or control. Unclassified employees may not work for relatives under any circumstances.

Further, employees, officers, and special state officers may not supervise or exercise any authority with regard to personnel actions with respect to any relative, cohabitant or person with whom the officer or employee has a dating relationship. When such a relationship exists with a classified employee, the "senior" person must formally remove her/himself from supervisory and personnel action authority.

The definitions of “relative” and “spouse” are very inclusive. Contact NJDMAVA's Ethics Officer, Jack Dillie, at (609) 530-7107 for further information regarding this or any other issue related to Ethics and conflicts of interest.

On Monday, the 108th ARW hosted Freeholders and Prosecutor’s Office Detectives from Bergen County, N.J. The group received a briefing, viewed a static aircraft display and the 108th Security Forces Squadron Armory. The visitors also donated 30 used flak vests to the 108 SFS. The used vests will constitute training gear for the 108th SFS which reduces the need to use the unit’s real world assets for training purposes. As both a member of the 108th SFS and detective with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Capt. Brian Griefer, was a guiding force for the event.

The Trenton Vet Center is sponsoring a one-day event offering free medical exams and readjustment services with information about VA medical benefits and employment services to veterans on Sept 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the VA New Jersey Health Care System, the event will be held at the Trenton Vet Center, 934 Parkway Ave., Ewing. For more information call (609) 882-5744.

NJNG Appreciation Day at the beach, Sept. 4

Sept. 4 is New Jersey National Guard Appreciation Day at The Jenkinsons Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach. Open only to NJ National Guard Personnel (with IDs) and their immediate family, festivities will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. NJNG members will present military ID at the welcome table on the Boardwalk (foot of parkway, opposite the aquarium). They will be issued VIP wristbands entitling the wearers to free passage to the beach, unlimited rides, Fun House entrance and aquarium.

Due to limited parking in Point Pleasant Beach, continuous shuttle service will be provided from the Sea Girt Armory to Jenkinsons from 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

All attendees are invited to attend the Labor Day Concert honoring troops given by Air Guard Chaplain Alphonse Stephenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter By The Sea at 7:30 p.m., concluding with a huge fireworks display at 8:45 p.m.

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Special show offered on Sept. 11 at Tweeter Center, Camden

On Sept. 11, the Pennsauken Alliance for the Performing Arts is planning a special presentation, “Proud To Be An American.” The show will honor all who have given the last full measure to protect our liberty by recognizing our veterans of all wars, our police, firefighters, everyday service personnel and those who perished on 9/11. This year’s show will be at the Tweeter Center on the Waterfront in Camden, N.J. “Proud to be an American” is a show you will always remember, a day “We Shall Never Forget.”

Admission is free and the show starts at 7:30 PM. Please visit our website at www.papashows.org for additional information.

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3rd Annual Frank T. Carvill scholarship dinner Sept. 21

The third annual Frank T. Carvill scholarship dinner honoring Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas H. Slowinski will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at The Landmark II, 26 Route 17 South, East Rutherford, N.J., 07073, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $85 per ticket, for a full buffet dinner, open bar and a live band. For tickets, call 201-457-9000.

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Military pricing on tickets to Sesame Street show

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please e-mail Barbara.harbison@ njdmava.state.nj..us or call (609) 530-7088 for the form needed to send with payment for the tickets.

Effective immediately all Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Employees that interface with outside personnel for hosting on-site meetings here at the Lawrenceville Headquarters are directed to notify the security guard when expecting scheduled visitors.

You are to provide the date, time and name of the visitor in advance whenever possible, also the DMAVA employee they are visiting and/or meeting they are attending. The Guard will issue a visitors parking permit. If you are expecting a large party for a meeting or event please provide a roster of attendees, with the meeting date time and location to the gate guard prior to the event.

Does your shopping list have either a U.S. Flag or New Jersey flag on it? One good piece of news – the sales tax hike does not affect that purchase; in fact purchase of either flag is TAX FREE in New Jersey. Please visit the following web page to check out the particulars: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?flag.htm.

The New Jersey Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. They perform inland search and rescue missions, aerial reconnaissance for homeland security and disaster relief missions. CAP has an active cadet program and aerospace education program for young people. All of the members are unpaid volunteers and must purchase their own uniforms, although CAP does try to provide uniforms for their cadet members without charge to them.

CAP is looking for donations of BDUs (woodland pattern) in wearable condition for use by their members. They can use pants, shirts, field jackets and caps. They will also accept Air Force Service Dress uniforms for cadet’s use.

If you have uniforms to donate, please contact Maj. Rick Ulmer, (732)364-7755 or e-mail: caplawyer123@comcast.net. He will make arrangements for pick-up.

As the summer progresses, the heat will get to each of us sooner or later. Please stop by the Center for Disease Control web site for more information on what to do during extreme heat, symptoms of heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps and other great pointers. Here is the link: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp.

Employees are not allowed to accept any gift, favor, service, or other thing of value from any person or entity under circumstances from which it might be reasonably inferred that the thing was given or offered in order to influence the discharge of official duties. Some things of value are obvious, such as money, real estate, or automobiles. But less obvious things also have value, including offers of employment, loans, price discounts, entertainment, and meals.

State employees are required to disclose and turn in to the Department’s Ethics Officer any offer or receipt of a thing of value from any person or entity. If keeping the gift is allowed it will be returned to you. If it is inappropriate under the ethics rules to accept the gift, the Ethics Officer will return it directly to the donor or, if it is perishable, give it to a nonprofit entity in the name of the donor.

NJDMAVA employees are encouraged to contact their Ethics Officer, Jack Dillie, at (609) 530-7107 or john.dillie@njdmava.state.nj.us with questions or concerns related to Ethics or Conflicts of Interest. Federal Technicians and military personnel should direct similar inquiries to Lt. Col. Eugene Ingrao at (609) 562-0942.

One of our fellow employees, Ms. Sandra Langley, suffered a terrible loss last weekend. A tragic fire resulted in the loss, not only of her home, but most importantly, her daughter and two grandchildren.

Ms. Langley, who is a Nurses Aide at the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland, can use our help as she begins to rebuild her life.

A collection box has been placed in our lobby for your donations of clothing and household items for Sandra. Monetary donations are being collected by Ms. Cindy Leese in our Human Resource Division. Checks should be made payable to: Sandra Langley Fire Relief Fund.

Because of the generosity of the DMAVA employees, along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3020 and Leonard Saxton Memorial VFW Post 6590, more than $4,000 has been collected to this point.

If you are an Army Soldier or DA civilian, you can access more than 2,600 information technology, business, self-development and 30 foreign language courses for FREE through Army e-Learning. Visit www.us.army.mil and select “my education.” In Fiscal Year 2006, almost a quarter million courses were completed. Some of the top 10 courses of the month for July were: Rosetta Stone Spanish and Arabic, Windows XP: Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals and Encryption Technologies.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Hotline is:
1-866-232-5798

You have reached the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Information Number. Please listen to the following menu choices and select an appropriate option:

State employees – press 1
Federal employees – press 2
National Guard employees – press 3

General policy. As a matter of long-standing policy, DoD personnel acting in their official capacities may not engage in activities that associate DoD with any partisan political campaign or election, candidate, cause or issue.

Public commentary by military personnel. All military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve forces, acting in their official capacities may not engage in public commentary, including speeches and written submissions offered for publication, concerning political campaigns or elections absent prior clearance.

Are you looking for an affordable vacation spot? The Armed Forces Recreation Center has resorts around the world for members of the Armed Forces, their families and other members of the Total Defense Force. Room rates are based on rank, pay grade, duty status, room size and/or room location. Reservations are required, policies vary by location and guests may not stay more than 30 consecutive days or register again within the following 90-day period. But if you are thinking of Hawaii, Germany, South Korea or Orlando as a possible vacation destination, this just may be the ticket! Visit http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/ for more information.

The Cemetery is working toward designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. We are enlisting the support of community volunteers for Outreach & Education. Scouting Groups, Veteran Service Organizations, Youth Groups, and other interested individuals are encouraged to contact Iven C. Dumas 1st Sgt, USMC (Ret) Assistant Superintendent, at 609- 758-7250 ext. 17 or by e-mail at Iven.Dumas@njdmava.state.nj.us.

The Joint Training and Development Center (JT2DC) recently unveiled the Memorial Walkway to the center. The purpose of the pond and walkway are to serve as a reminder that there are Soldiers in harm’s way protecting the freedoms that we all cherish and enjoy.

The concept of the Memorial Walkway was to have Soldiers create a mark by dedicating inscribed bricks. Soldiers have chosen to honor loved ones, family members, friends, and personnel with whom they served.

Anyone interested in purchasing an engraved paver for $50, can contact Command Sgt. Major Timothy Maskery at (609) 562-0539.

Membership
Give our state a larger voice by becoming a member of the Enlisted Association. The increased numbers will help us speak on all legislative issues that will benefit you and your families. The association works hard for you at the Federal & State level on all important issues. Visit the web site EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what the association does.

Conference
The Enlisted Association invites you to the Annual Conference at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Atlantic City West, October 6-8, 2006, to Honor and Salute our Airmen and Soldiers who supported the War on Terrorism. Saturday during the Military Ball will be our way to say thank you for their dedication and sacrifices that they and their families shared. Friday night will feature a Hawaiian luau with a show and an Army and Air challenge. Our mission is to have fun. Visit our web site EANG-NJ.org, click on EANG-NJ Conference to find out more. Thank you for your support. You can reach the membership chairman Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or jcptfalc@aol.com or co-chairman Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972 or esgtmaj@comcast.net.

For the Families

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Grants available for assistance and recreation

Happy Summer! Now is the time that many families and kids enjoy vacations and day trips, camps, picnics, and family visits. Unfortunately, because of increased deployments and the financial and emotional stress associated with them, many military families might find these activities difficult to arrange. This is why The Women’s Opportunity Center at the YMCA of Burlington County in Mt. Laurel, N.J., is pleased to remind military members that grant funds are available not only for financial emergencies and crisis situations, but also to provide recreational and stress relieving activities such as camps and classes.

This grant, provided by the Department of Community Affairs is available to spouses of deployed military personnel in all branches of service in the state who are income eligible. Applicants can expect to fill out very minimal paperwork (one page) and receive their approval and funds within a week of completed application.

Director of the Center, Cathi Rendfrey, said the YMCA and the Women’s Opportunity Center are proud and honored to be able to come to the aid of the military at such a critical time.

For more information and an application, contact Fawn Mutschler at 856-234-6200, ext. 235 or e-mail: fawnm@ymca-bc.org.

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Marriage Enrichment Seminar

Due to the success of the Marriage Enrichment Seminars, also known as Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), we have requested and have been approved for additional funding. Another seminar has been scheduled for Sept. 22-23. This will be the last seminar for FY06. If you have never attended the seminar, call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739 for more information and or to register. This seminar is open to all NJNG Soldiers. Soldiers that have been deployed will be given priority.

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Guard Family Action Plan

The Guard Family Action Plan (GFAP) identifies issues of concern to Guard members, spouses, parents, children, retirees and civilian employees. The GFAP determines actions necessary to resolve issues and assigns responsibility for actions to the proper staff agency.

The proper staff agency begins at unit level within the chain of command and can include the Departments of the Army and Air Force and the Congress of the United States. You can submit an issue along with your recommendation for a solution through the GFAP website at www.gfap.org. If you have any questions, you can call Marie Durling in the State Family Programs Office at 609-562-0739.

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Spouses invited to go on orientation flights

The 108th Air Refueling Wing would like to extend an invitation to the spouses of New Jersey Army and Air National Guardsmen and women who would like to see an aerial refueling up close.

The wing will be having a spouse-only orientation flight on August 18. This is a great opportunity for spouses to see the skills needed to fuel an aircraft more than 20,000 feet in the air. Seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to get a seat, don’t worry. The 108th will have more flights to follow to give everyone a chance to fly.

If you are interested, please call Staff Sgt. Beth Pritchard at (609) 754-4173 or e-mail at elizabeth.Pritchard@njmcgu.ang.af.mil for the form needed to request a seat.

Guard members who would like an orientation flight or would like to nominate their bosses for a flight can also contact Staff Sgt. Pritchard for information and forms.

Hammonton Armory - 119th SB Corps - Sept. 21, 7 pm
Jersey City Armory – D Co 2-113th – Sept. 20, 7 pm
Lawrenceville Armory – 50th PSB – Aug. 24, 7 pm; 50th Fin Bn - Aug. 6, 2pm
Morristown Armory – 3-112th & 5/117th –
Newark Armory - A, B, E Co's 2-113th Inf - Sept. 20, 7pm
Port Murray Armory – 2-102nd Arm –
Teaneck Armory - 50th SBM - Sept. 21, 7pm
Toms River Armory – C/3-112th FA –
Vineland Armory – 5/117th Cav –
West Orange Armory – B Co 5/117th Cav – Aug. 26, 1 pm
Woodbury Armory - Trp C 5-117th Cav -

The Trenton Thunder baseball team and its community partner, the Trenton Vet Center, has collaborated to sponsor reduced ticket prices for veterans and their families during the 2006 Trenton Thunder baseball season.

A regular $9 season ticket has been reduced to $7 for veterans and their family members.

Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated, and retired veterans are eligible for this program. Interested veterans must have a picture I.D. and provide proof of their veteran status by showing one of the following documents:

- Military I.D. card
- Federal Department of Veteran Affairs medical I.D. card
- DD Form 214

All Active New Jersey National Guard Members are entitled to Division of Parks and Forestry State Park Passes. When parking fees are in effect this pass entitles the NJNG member (and passengers) free parking at all New Jersey State Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas and Historic Sites (Does not pertain to Campground fees) ID Card must be shown with this Pass. See your Orderly Room for your pass.

Anheuser Busch has announced its program offering free amusement park tickets to the service members and their families has become so popular it will be extended another year. The "Here's to the Heroes," is open to active duty service members, active members of the National Guard or Reserve, and up to three direct dependents for one complimentary admission per year. Participants can go online to fill out a form for free admission at http://www.herosalute.com/.

The amusement parks participating in the program are: Sea World parks in Orlando, Florida; San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia; Sesame Place, a children's play and water park, near Philadelphia; Adventure Island water park in Tampa; and Water Country USA water park in Williamsburg.

Operation Oasis Outreach at Sandy Cove, North East, Md., offers a free, 3-day, 2-night time for rest and relaxation for military personnel who were deployed to the Middle East area during OIF/OEF with their spouse and children. Sandy Cover is located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. If you are interested, contact Carol Lee Lynch: toll free 1-800-287-4843 or e-mail c.lynch@sandycove.org.

Picatinny Arsenal Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office is proud to announce new opportunities for Veterans. As part of the Army's "Always a Soldier" program, Picatinny's Frog Falls Waterpark and Golf Course are now open to veterans as well as Active Duty and Retired Military and Reservists. Frog Falls Waterpark offers annual memberships to veterans through our partnership with Rockaway Township Recreation. Active Duty and Retired Military and Reservists can purchase an annual membership or visit the Waterpark for a $3 daily fee. Guest passes (for non-dependents) can be purchased at the gate for $7 (limit of 4 per visit). Please call (973) 724-7275 for more information. Picatinny Golf Course is also open to Veterans. Please call (973) 724-GOLF for more information.

The 3rd Annual Tom Laffey Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Monday, Sept. 11, with a 10 a.m. shotgun start at The Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course, Plainsboro. The tournament is sponsored by The Keeping the Faith Foundation which was created in 2004 by the children of Tom and Virginia Laffey as a way to honor the memory of their parents. The proceeds from the annual golf tournament are donated to a special cause; this year’s proceeds will be given to the family of 1st Lt. Howard Gwin, whose daughter Ashleigh has been diagnosed with Krabbe Keukodystrophy. For more information about the tournament, please call Bill Laffey (732) 822-5814, Helene Wahl (732) 922-6539 or Tom Laffey Jr. (732) 846-1775.

The 10th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Fort Dix on Monday, Sept. 18. Format will be two person scramble (best ball). Donation to play is $85 per person which includes greens fees, cart, refreshments and door prizes. A buffet lunch will be held after the tournament. For more information, call 609-754-2048.

The Freedom Riders “Support Our Troops” Motorcycle Run is scheduled for October 14, 2006 (October 15 – Rain date). Proceeds benefit the Freedom Alliance Foundation providing: Educational scholarships to the children of American’s Military Heroes that have given the Ultimate Sacrifice; pre-paid long-distance phone cards, gift cards for clothing, food, toiletries, books and magazines for the injured in our hospital; and funding for family members to travel to see and encourage their loved one.

Applications for the 2006 Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, held each year at Island Beach State Park, are now available. Early registrants save on adult registration fees, are eligible for special prizes offered to pre- registrants and avoid delays - pre-registration ensures timely entry to the park.

The tournament will be held Sunday, October 1st. Fishing begins at 6:30am. A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament, and there are winners in male, female, teen and child categories. Don't miss this exciting family event!

Are you a service member and a fan of World Wrestling Entertainment? WWE is offering all U.S. military personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Reserves and National Guard a complimentary ticket to a live WWE event in their local area, provided they come dressed in uniform with a military ID.

Tickets are available the day of the event. Military personnel can log onto the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site to view a schedule of live events in their area. Check out www.wwe.com for more information.

Grantham University scholarships: Grantham University offers a scholarship program to severely injured service members and their spouses and adult children. Go to www.grantham.edu for more information. They also have scholarship programs for military veterans, service members, and family members.

Widener University CARES Scholarship: Widener University, Chester, Pa., has a full scholarship program for children of Global War on Terrorism service members who were killed in action. Contact the Office of Admissions at 610-499-4126 for more information.

The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:

The Northern New Jersey Stand Down 2006, a one-day outreach to assist homeless veterans and their dependents, will be held at the Essex County College gymnasium, Sept. 9, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Many services will be offered to the veterans who take part in the program, including veterans and medical benefits information, social services, employment services, substance abuse programs, recovery programs, photo ID, PTSD counseling, legal services, clothing and more.

The college is located at Market Street and Martin Luther King Blvd, Newark, N.J. A hot lunch will be provided. For more information, please call (973) 748-0980.

On Sept. 16, at 1 p.m., there will be a dedication of the Pennsylvania War Dog Memorial at the Bristol Township Municipal Building. The memorial will honor the military dogs and their handlers who have served our country proudly in both war and peace.

The War Dog Memorial will be part of a newly landscaped memorial garden situated near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial statue and the memorial honoring Bristol Township’s police, fire and emergency services personnel. The municipal building is located at 2501 Bath Road, Bristol, Penn.

Ocean County veterans now have a place to get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling. Once a week, counselors from the Trenton Vet Center will offer office hours at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, 1027 Hooper Ave, Building 2, Toms River.

Ocean County, with the state’s largest concentration of veterans, signed an agreement with the Vets Center, an arm of the Veterans Administration recently.

John Dorrity, director of the Ocean County Veterans Bureau said that he has a waiting list of veterans who will participate in the counseling. He added that they will start off with once a week, but will possibly increase sessions if the need arises.

Charles H. Johnson, Vietnam veteran and poet, will have a reading of his latest book of poetry at the Vietnam Era Educational Center on August 12. Johnson of Hillsborough, N.J., is a graduate of the ROTC program at Rutgers University and a retired captain in the US Army Reserve. From 1970 to 1971, he was a first lieutenant and an infantry platoon leader for the 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam. He is the author of “Tunnel Vision” and numerous poems about Vietnam. Three of his poems are engraved on the Plainsboro Veterans Memorial sculpture in Plainsboro, NJ. Johnson conducts poetry workshops for high school students and teachers throughout New Jersey, and serves as a night editor and poetry reviewer for the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, N.J.

Johnson's book, Sam's Place, consists of free verse concerning the poet's service as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam and haiku about his dreams of America while he served overseas. Other poetry in the collection relates the poet's reaction to the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and how he deals with the ever-present reality of war and its consequences.

Sept. 9 / 1 p.m. / 36 Years and a Wake-Up, a Vietnam veteran's memoir -- lecture by the author, Vietnam Veteran Carey Spearman.

Sept. 15 / 11 a.m. / National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Gold Star Mothers Day ceremony.

Sept. 17 / 12:30 p.m. / Arrival of the Rolling Thunder-NJ motorcycle run for POW/MIA awareness, leaving Warinaco Park, Elizabeth at 11 a.m.

Oct. 14 / 1 p.m. / "Vietnam: A View You Have Never Seen Before," a slide show with discussion about folk life in modern Vietnam by NJ school teacher Ken Mayberg.

Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Regular admission is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Regular adult admission is $4; student and senior citizen admission is $2; and children under 10 are admitted free.

For more information, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033 or (800) 648-VETS. The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116.

Beginning June 9, National Guard and reserve members released from active duty will get the same veterans’ hiring preference for federal jobs as those who are separated or retired from regular active-duty assignments.

Under the new rules, which Congress approved last year as part of the 2006 Defense Authorization Act, the definition of a veteran expands for the purposes of getting extra credit when seeking a federal job. Previously, veterans’ preference applied only to people “separated” from active duty under honorable conditions.

Under the new policy, hiring preference would extend to any person discharged or released from active duty if they had more than 180 consecutive days of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, served in a war or in a campaign for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal was authorized. Also, the person who is discharged or released must have received an honorable or general discharge.

Located at 934 Parkway Ave, 2nd Floor, Ewing, N.J., the Department of Veteran Affairs, Trenton Vet Center, provides free readjustment counseling services to combat zone veterans and their families.

· Individual readjustment counseling
· Group readjustment counseling
· Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Counseling for PTSD
· Substance Abuse counseling
· Marital and family counseling
· Sexual Trauma counseling
· Community education and liaison
· Referral for benefits assistance
· Employment Assistance

Heading the Trenton Vet Center Staff is James Gordon, team leader. Other staff at the center to help veterans and their families are Jeanne Morrison, Master Social Worker, Rawle Gaskin, Readjustment Counseling Therapist, Darryll Johnson, Readjustment Counseling Technician and Burnice Rice, Trenton Vet Center Office Manager.

The center is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday extended hours by appointment only.

All services provided to veterans and their families are at no cost and clients’ rights are protected by HIPPA. For more information call (609) 882-5744.

The New Jersey Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program has several part-time employment opportunities immediately available across the state for TDGs and Technicians. Earn one day’s base pay and one retirement point for a few hours work providing Military Funeral Honors for our Veterans. If you are interested, please contact SGM Edward Goetschius, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, at 609-530-7090 or by e-mail at Edward.goetschius@nj.ngb.army.mil.

Aug. 25 – Kiss and Make Up Day
Aug. 26 – National Cherry Popsicle Day
Aug. 27 – Petroleum Day
Aug. 28 – Dream Day, World Sauntering Day
Aug. 29 – More herbs, Less Salt Day
Aug. 30 – National Toasted Marshmellow Day
Aug. 31 – National Trail Mix Day

I grew up in Lancaster County, Pa., where we are known for a few towns with unusual names: Intercourse, Blue Ball, Bird-in-Hand. Here are a few more to tickle your funny bone.

Hoop and Holler, Texas
Big Ugly, W.Va.
Peculiar, Mo
Boring, Oregon
Toad Suck, Ark.
Frog Jump, Tenn.
Cookietown, Okla.
Kickapoo, Ill.

Then there is always Eighty Eight, Ky., who was named by a gentleman who had 88 cents in his pocket on the day he named the town. (Has a much better ring than $1.14!)