New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

1. HISTORY COMES ALIVE FOR THE SOLDIERS OF THE 50TH BRIGADE DURING THEIR RECENT VISIT TO THE MENLO PARK VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME. On Saturday, 23 November 2002, 20 soldiers from the 50th Brigade visited veterans at the Menlo Park Veterans Home and kicked off their Adopt-a-Veterans Home program. During the 2 ½ hour visit, the Brigade’s young soldiers visited with each of the more than 75 veterans in attendance and were moved by the veterans’ stories. One of the soldiers noted that “We were talking about events that I only learned about in my History classes, and these vets were there!” With donations solicited by the HHC 50th Brigade from various local vendors and the USP&FO, each veteran was presented with a “goodie bag” containing socks, cards, toiletries, stationary, video and audio cassettes, tooth brushes, hair brushes, combs, etc. COL Stephen Hines presented a plaque with a mounted 50th Brigade coin to the Tenants’ Association and a plaque to Mr. Marshall, President of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars. One soldier showed some of the residents how to send e-mails on the facility’s computer, which prompted the Brigade to look for volunteers to teach computer operations to the veterans on weekends. The day was a success that will now become a quarterly event.

2. HQ STARC SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED A MOBILIZATION EXERCISE (MOBEX) AT SEA GIRT ON 22-24 NOVEMBER 2002 for the 57th Troop Command, 119th CSB and members of the 1/150th GSAB deploying to Panama in January 2003. These exercises prepare, process, and validate units for deployment in accordance with guidelines established in Forces Command Mobilization and Deployment System (FORMDEPS). The end state is to improve unit and individual soldier readiness. This was the first of a series of MOBEXs that will be conducted over the next three years. All NJ Army National Guard units are scheduled to participate in these exercises over the next three years.

3. CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE IS NOW UNDERWAY. DMVA is collecting new toys for needy children (ages newborn through 13 years). Please bring an unwrapped new toy for these children to the drop off boxes in your Human Resource Department. Central Office employees may leave their toys in the specially marked box in the main lobby. Please help make the season a little brighter for those less fortunate.

4. THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD’S 63rd ARMY BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE TRENTON WAR MEMORIAL ON 15 DECEMBER 2002. The concert is being sponsored by The Trenton Times and will begin at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Patriots Theater, Army Band Tickets, PO Box 232, Trenton, NJ 08625.

5. FREE PHONE CARDS ARE AVAILABLE TO MILITARY PERSONNEL ON ACTIVE DUTY. The following website will allow all of our military personnel on active duty the opportunity to request free phone cards from WAL-MART for the holiday season. The VFW and WAL-MART will issue 500,000 phone cards for military personnel stationed overseas. http://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm

6. THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION (IASD) LIGHTS THE HOMELAND SECURITY/CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (HSCOE). On December 1, 2002, IASD provided the Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS) and Garden State Network connectivity to the new HSCOE. It was a seamless and unnoticeable startup that enabled members of the HSCOE staff to move in and have the ability to access their e-mail and folders. This connectivity was just the first step in activating the multi-faceted technology capabilities of the new HSCOE, which will allow them to have “state of the art” communication for years to come.

7. SIXTEEN MEMBERS OF THE 5TH SQUADRON 117TH CAVALRY, 42ND INFANTRY DIVISION DEPLOYED TO HOHENFELS, GERMANY, 9-30 NOVEMBER 2002, TO SUPPORT THE 1ST BATTALION 4TH REGIMENT (ARMOR) AT THE COMBAT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER (CMTC). Significant training activities included Opposing Force (OPFOR) Tactics, M-60 (tank) drivers training and testing, US Army – Europe (USAREUR) drivers training and testing, Situational Training Exercise (STX) missions, X-Day mission exercises (force-on-force training), operator (10-20 level) vehicle maintenance, Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer (UCOFT) and Platoon Gunnery Trainer utilization. All unit training objectives were met. The unit was commended for its outstanding support and was invited back to support the CMTC. Job well done, Scouts Out.

8. THE AIR FORCE SPOUSE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES AIR FORCE SPOUSES WORLDWIDE TO PURSUE ASSOCIATE/BACHELOR UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE DEGREES. Applicants must be the spouse of a member of the Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve to be eligible. The deadline for submitting an application for one of the 30 $1,000 awards is 31 January 2003. Information and application forms are available at the Aerospace Education Foundation website http://www.aef.org/aid/spouse.pdf.

9. NOMINATION DEADLINE FOR THE NJ STATE EMPLOYEE AWARDS PROGRAM IS DECEMBER 31, 2002. Anyone may nominate an individual state employee or a group of state employees for the Exceptional Service Award, Heroism Award, Professional Achievement Award, Community Service Award, Team Work/Partnership Award or Customer Service Excellence Award. Additional details and application forms are available by contacting Paul Serdiuk, Human Resource Division, at (609) 530-6878 or paul.serdiuk@njdmava.state.nj.us.

10. 50% DISCOUNT ON BEACH BOY TICKETS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. A limited number of $45 tickets for The Beach Boys concert at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on December 8, 2002 at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. are being offered to state employees for $22.50. These tickets are available through walk-up sales at the theater box office Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Proper State ID is required. Hurry, seating is limited!

11. NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CAMP 2003 – VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED. The 2003 Youth Camp is seeking volunteers: Counselors (18 yrs old and above), Junior Counselors (15-17 years), Activities, and staff support. The camp will be held 6-12 July 2003 at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, NJ. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact CW4 Cwiecka at (609) 562-0668.

12. NEW JERSEY VIETNAM AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALS WILL BE PRESENTED AT CEREMONIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. Listed below is the schedule for upcoming award ceremonies. You’re invited to join the State of New Jersey and the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs as we honor our veterans.

18 Dec 02 11:00 a.m. Distinguished Service Medal Westfield Armory

13. ARMORY HAPPENINGS – CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!

15 Dec 02 EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown Armory

14. IT’S TIME TO WINTERIZE YOUR CAR. Here are a few tips on how to get your car ready for the upcoming winter season.

Battery - Have your battery inspected to ensure it has sufficient power.
Tires - Check your tires. Install snow tires where snow and ice are facts of life.
Replace old, worn wiper blades.
Anti-freeze/Coolant – Make sure the condition, level and concentration is appropriate for your vehicle.
Fuel – Be sure your tank is always at least half full.
Lights – Inspect all lights; replace burned out bulbs.

You may want to consider the following:

Keep the following emergency gear in your vehicle: blanket, small shovel, flares, gloves, boots, tire chains, snacks and beverages, flashlight or candle w/matches, and a CB radio or cellular phone.
Be sure your passengers are buckled up.

15. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY!!!!

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.
-- Ken Hubbard
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
-- Author Unknown