Download PDF Version of this week's highlights

News for your Views
OTF looking for Soldiers to participate in various events

Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) is looking for 3-5 recently returned OIF/OEF veterans for an on-field and first pitch recognition opportunity.  There are three dates that the Atlantic City Surf Baseball Team will hold a Military Appreciation Night and the OTF program is looking for Soldiers/Airmen who have a compelling service story and are possibly a recipient of a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart or Silver Star.
Dates for the Military Appreciation Nights are June 6, July 11 and August 29.  Soldiers/Airmen participating in the recognition event will need to arrive at the Bernie Robbins Stadium by 6 p.m. and meet organizer Joe Rossi in the parking lot no later than 6:20 p.m. Soldiers/Airmen will be directed on-field. Game time is 7:05 p.m.  The stadium is located at 545 North Albany Avenue, Atlantic City. The uniform is ACUs with beret or for Airmen BDUs with BDU cap.

Participating Soldiers/Airmen and military members simply attending the game will need to present their military I.D. to receive their free upper box ticket. Guests of any military members will need to pay the $5 ticket price.

For the second year in a row, Operation Tribute to Freedom is coordinating with ABC's "Good Morning America" to recognize OIF and OEF veterans during select concerts during their "2007 Summer Concert Series" in NYC's Bryant Park.

They would like to offer this opportunity to Soldiers who would like to attend one of the concerts listed below, and be situated in the VIP area near the front of the stage. As a "welcome home," the opportunity is first for recently returned Soldiers (within the past year), however, it is open to all OIF and OEF veterans to say "thank you for what you do." If interested, you must contact the Public Affairs office by the Wednesday before the concert.

June 8      Robin Thicke
June 29    Pattie LaBelle
July 6       Norah Jones
July 20     John Mayer
Aug. 3      John Legend
Where: Bryant Park at 42nd and 6th Avenue (which is located directly behind the New York Public Library), New York.  Time of arrival is 6 a.m., time of event is 7-9 a.m. Uniform is ACUs with beret. Soldiers and guests will be in VIP section near stage; there is no seating; standing room only. Unfortunately, there is no parking near the park; parking is several blocks away, so those attending will need to plan accordingly.

Operation Tribute to Freedom has secured a recognition opportunity with comedian Kathy Griffin, who also has her own reality television show, "My Life on the D-List" on the Bravo network.
In line with her support and salute to the troops, Griffin has offered to recognize Soldiers at several of her shows on her current comedy tour. A local show will take place on June 29 at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick at 8 p.m.  She will provide one pair of tickets to three Soldiers. (Each Soldier can bring one guest). She will likely ask them to stand up to be recognized. Uniform for the show is ACUs. Soldiers identified for this opportunity should be recently returned OIF/OEF veterans within the past six-months to one year (since June 2006) if at all possible.

The Boost Mobile Hot Import Nights car shows has dates across the country where they feature the latest in customized cars including vehicles from the “Fast and Furious” movies, as well as variety of celebrity guests.  OTF is looking for OIF/OEF Soldiers to attend these shows and be recognized.  Uniform is ACUs with beret.  The local event is on July 21 at 4 p.m. in New York at the Nassau Coliseum.

Operation Tribute to Freedom is currently seeking OIF/OEF Soldiers to be recognized during opening ceremonies prior to each Formula Drift Championship. The Formula Drift Championship series is a choreographed motor sport competition that incorporates the techniques seen in the "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" movie. Local championship is Sept. 8 at Wall Township Speedway, Wall, N.J. Uniform: ACUs/DCUs with beret.

If you are interested in attending any of the events above, please call the Public Affairs Office at 609-530-6942/6950/7088/6943 for more information.

For all you amusement park lovers, Family Appreciation Day at Great Adventure for the National Guard will be on August 27, starting at 10 a.m.  Cost for tickets will be $20, children under 3 years of age are free.
Tickets will be available for purchase June 6 in the State Family Programs Office, 3650 Saylors Pond Road, Fort Dix.  See Marie Durling or Amanda Balas for tickets (cash only).  Tickets will be sold until noon, August 24.  If you have any questions, call Marie at 609-562-0739.

Are you a good shooter? The Adjutant General’s Combat Championships, Pistol and Rifle Match, will be held on June 22-24.  Applications for team members and support personnel are still being taken.  Call Staff Sgt. Mercedes D. Rowe at 609-562-0756 for more information or visit https://gkoportal.ngb.army.mil/sites/NJNG/J3/J3-T/sarts/

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, held its annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 28 at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel. Approximately 500 people attended the commemorative event, which was held in the Memorial’s courtyard, surrounded by the circular, black granite wall bearing the names of 1,560 New Jerseyans whose lives were lost in the Vietnam War.
In one of his first public appearances since his auto accident, Gov. Jon S. Corzine walked on crutches to the speaker’s podium, where he thanked the crowd for its warm reception, adding “it’s even more heartwarming to be here to honor the men and women who sacrificed, who laid down their lives to make New Jersey what it is.” A Marine Corps Reservist during the Vietnam Era, Gov. Corzine said that the state and federal government must do all possible to assist troops returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, including ensuring National Guard and Reservists called to serve, should receive the same government benefits as other military personnel. 
The guest speaker, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Clark W. Martin followed Gov. Corzine.  He is a newly elected member of the NJVVMF’s board of trustees and is the president of MBI-Gluck Shaw, a full service government relations firm in Trenton.  A veteran of the Vietnam War, during which he flew more than 150 combat missions, including in support of the battle of Khe Sanh, Tet Offensive, 1968, he is the past commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard. 

Vietnam Veteran George Dousis, chair of the Memorial Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, assisted NJVVMF Executive Director Kelly Watts with the presentation of two $2,500 scholarships to two New Jersey high school seniors, Jessica Blank of Summit and Melody Lyman of Midland Park, who was represented by the Gold Star family of Steven Foster, Midland Park who was killed in action in Vietnam.  These two essays were chosen as best from among the more than 300 essays submitted for the scholarship competition.  The essays described their thoughts and emotions about their first visit to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. Jessica read her essay followed by Steven Foster’s brother Jack, reading Melody’s essay.

Watts and Dousis announced that the NJVVMF recently inducted three Vietnam Veterans into the “In Memory” program.  “In Memory” honors those veterans who had served tours of duty in Vietnam, returned home, but died later as a result of their tour.  Family members were acknowledged and spoke about their loved ones. The three men honored were all Army veterans who died due to complications from their exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.  They were: James P. Gillespie, Bayonne, who died March 21, 1977; Carmen M. Lombardi, Lake Hiawatha, who died June 13, 2006; and William P. Turk, Carteret, who died July 11, 1974.  Pavers, engraved with their names, were added to the “In Memory” walk in the Memorial’s courtyard.

Led by Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, various veteran and service organizations placed wreaths under the Red Oak tree, facing the memorial’s Fallen Soldier statue.  Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed an open house at the adjacent Vietnam Era Educational Center, which includes a museum and research library.

From the American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2007 - The American Red Cross is warning military spouses about a new identity-theft scam that targets family members of deployed troops.

The Red Cross was alerted of the scam earlier this month, said Devorah Goldburg of the Red Cross.
The scam involves a person with an American accent calling a military spouse, identifying herself as a representative of the Red Cross, and telling the spouse that her husband was hurt in Iraq and was medically evacuated to Germany. The caller then says that doctors can't start treatment until paperwork is completed, and that to start the paperwork they need the spouse to verify her husband's social security number and date of birth.

It is hard to determine how many spouses have been targeted by this scam, Goldburg said, as there are many ways for spouses to report problems like this. However, one confirmed report was enough for the Red Cross to act, she said.

"We know that it happened to one person; it was probably going to happen to others, and we wanted to be prudent and alert people," she said.

American Red Cross representatives typically do not contact military members or dependents directly and almost always go through a commander or first sergeant, according to a Red Cross news release. Military family members are urged not to give out any personal information over the phone if contacted by unknown individuals, including confirmation that their spouse is deployed.

In addition, Red Cross representatives contact military members or dependents directly only in response to an emergency message initiated by a family member, the news release said. The Red Cross does not report any type of casualty information to family members; the Defense Department will contact families directly about family members' injuries.

It is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, for a person to fraudulently pretend to be a member of, or an agent for, the American Red Cross for the purpose of soliciting, collecting, or receiving money or material, according to the news release. Any military family member that receives such a call is urged to report it to their local family readiness group or military personnel flight.

The 22nd annual Donald W. Jones Veterans’ Flag Memorial, honoring all veterans, will take place June 8-10 at Falls Community Park, 9125 Mill Creek Road , Levittown , Penn. On June 8, starting at 9 a.m., volunteers will be needed to help the Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans plant flags in honor of soldiers killed in action and POW/MIA. There will be a free concert all day June 9 starting at 11 a.m. with performances by several rock and blues bands.  On June 10 there will be a motorcycle rally starting at noon at the Bristol Township Vietnam Memorial, 2501 Bath Road.  The memorial ceremony at Falls Community Park starts at 1 p.m.  For more information, call David at 215-669-8430 or Ed at 215-945-3475.

New Jersey is once again facing a severe blood shortage.  We are requesting DMAVA State and Federal employees help offset the more than 74,000 pint shortage.

The second annual DMAVA Governor’s “Save 3 Lives” Blood Drive will be conducted during a two-day period, beginning on June 11 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Fort Dix Joint Training and Training Development Center (JTTDC), Stow Bay 3, and continuing on June 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Armory Cafeteria.

The following Blood Drive Coordinators should be contacted to schedule your blood donation time. 

Fort Dix JFHQ: Connie Cisek (ANG Personnel), 609-562-0901 or Master Sgt. Tony DeLuccio (ARNG Personnel), 609-562-0858.
ChalleNGe: Mr. Sean Van Lew, 609-562-0571.
JT2DC: Sgt. Yashica Carver, 609-562-0520.
DMAVA Central Office: Kathy Wierzbicki, 609-530-6979.
Mercer Army Aviation Support Facility #1: 1st Sgt. Charlie Bethea, 609-575-6726 or 1st Sgt. Harold Klingler, 609-530-4751.

Donor eligibility guideline information is available at 1-866-2GIVENJ or www.communitybloodcouncil.org.

Please join us on June 14 for the 9th Annual Unity Day, "Many Cultures, One Flag," being held at the JT2DC Training Facility, Ft. Dix.

Unity Day is held to enhance cross-cultural awareness and promote harmony among all members of the New Jersey National Guard.  This combined effort of Army and Air, State and Federal, community members and members of both Team McGuire and the Fort Dix Post contribute to the different ethnic and special emphasis groups being represented in the New Jersey National Guard.  This year's event will start off with a 3K Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m.  Opening ceremonies will take place at 11:30 a.m. with a performance from the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Program Drill Team followed by the presentation of awards and additional entertainment throughout the event by Voices of Africa, United We Sing, O'Leary Irish Dancers, Red Hawk Indian Dancers, Bag Pipers, and the Rancocas Valley Regional High School Hollywood Steppers.

Multi-cultural displays and food samplings from 18 different ethnic groups from around the world will take place from noon to 3:30 p.m.  We encourage ALL members associated with the New Jersey National Guard to attend.  For more information, contact Capt. Lola Washington, State Equal Employment Manager, 609-562-0856.

The employees, Soldiers, and Airmen of DMAVA are planning a bike ride. The date for this event is June 16. Participating motorcyclists plan to visit the three veterans’ homes and interact with the residents during the layovers. Lt. Col. Walter R. Nall is coordinating this event for DMAVA. The headcount form is available via DMAVANET in the HRD section under statewide activities.  The DMAVA Website link is http://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/Veterans_Ride.pdf.  If participating, please return the completed headcount form to Lt. Col. Nall later than May 7.  Interested riders may contact him at 609-530-6841 or e-mail walter.nall@njdmava.state.nj.us.

Come have fun at the DMAVA/JFHQS Summer-Fiesta 07!  The summer picnic will be held on June 22 at the Lawrenceville armory at noon.  The cost is $10 with a menu of chicken, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, various salads, baked means, and beverages.  The committee is asking employees to contribute desserts.  Dress is appropriate summer attire.

Attendance is not mandatory but if employees chose not to attend it will be a normal and full workday at their duty station. The picnic follows the TAG’s Town Hall meeting and the DMAVA awards ceremony, both at the armory.

See your department representative to pay no later than June 15.

DMAVA: Darlene Laarz – 609-530-6992, Karen Wallace – 609-530-6766, Dawn Esposito – 609-530-6717 or Tina Taylor – 609-530-7170
Fort Dix: Marie Durling – 609-562-0739
HSCOE: Kevin Hearn – 609-530-7069

The 2007 Korean War Commemoration Ceremony will take place on July 27 at 11 a.m. at the New Jersey Korean War Memorial, at Park Place/Boardwalk, near Brighton Park, Atlantic City.  Hosted by the New Jersey Korean War Veterans Association in cooperation with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, it will be the 54th Anniversary Commemoration Signing of the Korean War Armistice.  There will also be a presentation of the New Jersey Korean War Commemorative Medal to local Korean combat veterans.

There will be a retirement dinner for Tom Flynn of the DMAVA Fiscal Division on June 21 at 4 p.m. at Mastoris Restaurant, Bordentown.  Cost is $30 per person with a large choice of entrees to include Chicken Parmigiana, roast turkey broiled flounder, roast beef, baked ham and others. For more information or reservations, call Tom DeShields at 609-530-6718. Reservations are due no later than June 14. 

From the American Forces Press Service

One of the latest outcomes from the upheaval at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been the establishment of the “Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline.”

This toll-free call center was opened on March 19 to help wounded Soldiers and their family members to get information or assistance with medical or other issues.

The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be reached from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-800-984-8523. As additional personnel are trained to receive calls and refer them to the proper organization or agency for resolution, the hotline hours of operation will expand to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, officials said.

Summer is coming up and one of the great privileges of working for DMAVA and the National Guard is the access to the beach at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt.  If you want to sun yourself on the beach and romp in the ocean, here are the access criteria for Sea Girt. 

Individuals must present credentials to the security guard at the main gate of the training center.

            Military and military dependent ID card

• N.J. National Guard members – current and retired
• Current Reserve Component members based in N.J. – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard
• Active duty members based in N.J. – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard

            State/Federal employee ID card

• NJDMAVA employees – current and retired

            New Jersey State Police Badge/Shield

• All NJSP – current and retired

            Other Law Enforcement Badge/Shield

• All law enforcement officers based at the NGTC

            First Responders in the vicinity of NGTC – ID Card/Badge/Shield

• Current police, fire, rescue squad/EMS located in Sea Girt, Manasquan, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall

Personnel in the categories above can get passes to bring friends and family when they accompany them on visits to the beach.  Each pass will admit all occupants of one car to the beach. Guests using passes may be asked to show a driver’s license or other photo ID at the guard gate. To get passes for NGTC, Sea Girt, see the following people:

NGTC – Eileen Foster, 732-974-5951
DMAVA, Lawrenceville – Gail Miller, 609-530-6911
JFHQ, Fort Dix – Zandra Ramcharitar, 609-562-0959

Individuals seeking discretionary passes (civic groups, veterans organizations, donors, etc.) should submit a request to The Director, National Guard Training Center, PO box 251, Sea Girt, NJ 08750 requesting the passes with the reason and justification.

Looking for a way to serve and get some satisfaction at the same time?  The Honor Guard program is looking for members of the Army and Air Guard to join the team to perform honor guard duties at the funerals of veterans.  There is an initial eight hours of training for all new enrollees, with on-going sustainment training.  As an honor guard member, you will receive a day of pay for each day’s mission, minimum of $50, and traditional drilling Guard members receive a retirement point for each day’s duties.

Teams are split geographically throughout the state and volunteers can stay busy.  In April 2007, the teams conducted 205 services for deceased veterans.  By May15, there were 120 funerals where the team performed their duties.  Retired Sgt. Maj. Ed Goetschius, who oversees the program, believes that there will be at least 2,000 services where the honor guard has served by the end of the year.

If you are interested in applying for the Honor Guard program, call Goetschius at 609-530-7090.

HQ Group, who currently runs the Helmets to Hardhats program, is expanding!  Hire A Hero is our newest initiative that helps transitioning military personnel, Guard members and Reservists find jobs with all industries.
Hire A Hero is a non-profit initiative that is powered by the Armed Forces Support Foundation.  To find out more about these programs, visit the following Web sites: www.hireahero.com/ or http://armedforcessupportfoundation.org/

Are you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?
Visit www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who offer discounts to New Jersey state employees.  From amusement parks to fitness to computer to phones and lots of other discounts between, you will find many ways to save money. For more information, please contact Patty Smith at patty.smith@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-6847.

From the desk of Laura Forrest, 108th ARW Wing Family Program Coordinator
McGuire Air Force Base is hosting the following summer camp events for children:
June 25-29: British Challenger Soccer for ages 5-18, go to www.challengersports.com to register
July 30-Aug 3: British Challenger Soccer Advanced for ages 7-18 go to www.challengersports.com to register
July 23-27, Summer Fitness Camp sponsored by NIKE ages 10-15, call 609-754-5437 to register
And many more – basketball and outdoor adventure – to be announced soon. Call 609-754-5437 or go to www.305services.com.

Summer is coming and now is the time that many kids will be signing up for camps, recreational activities and lessons, etc.  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 for their children. 

This grant, provided by the Department of Community Affairs is available to spouses and families of deployed military personnel in all branches of service in the State who are income eligible. 

For more information and an application, contact Fawn Mutschler at 609-543-6200, ext. 325 or e-mail wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org.

The thirteenth Annual New Jersey National Guard Youth Camp will be held July 29 to Aug. 4 at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt.

Applications are available at: www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html

Children, ages 9-13 are invited to apply.  The camp fee is still $100.  Campers must be children, grandchildren or legal dependents of an active or retired member of the New Jersey National Guard.  A variety of volunteer positions are available. For more information, call the Family Programs Office at (609) 562-0668.

The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance Program provides direct assistance and referrals to existing programs for spouses of deployed military personnel (active duty, reserve and National Guard) who face unusual financial and emotional stress as a result of the deployments. 

Applicants should contact Fawn Mutschler at 609-543-6200 ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org to obtain an application.  In addition to the completed application form, applicants will also need to submit the following documentation: LES/paystub for applicant and spouse; statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason for applying and how the grant will help); bill or pricing of expenditure as well as any other supporting information the applicant feels may be helpful. Additional information can be found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml

The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council has expanded its Family Grants Program to include an additional grant.  There are now two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500 grant that has been in place for the past couple of years.  The TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive days.  Service members meeting these criteria are eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500.  Applications are available at all New Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.

The Trenton Vet Center with support from our community partner, Trenton Thunder Baseball, will sponsor baseball tickets at a special rate for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated, and retired veterans.  A regular $10 season ticket will be offered at $7for veterans and family members.  The primary purpose of the program is to allow veterans and their families an opportunity to experience Trenton Thunder baseball due to their service and sacrifice for our country.  If you have questions, call Matt Petima, director of ticket operations for the Trenton Thunder at 609-394-3300, ext 1200 or the ticket box office at 609-394-3300.

Proof of Veteran Status:  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.

Like to ride motorcycle?  Here is an opportunity to ride and support servicemembers and their families at the same time.  Join the 3rd Annual “Support Our Troops” Motorcycle Run on October 13 (rain date of October 14).

Registration is from 10-11 a.m. at the Tri-Towne Plaza, Route 70, Marlton and the ride departs at 11:15 a.m. The route is to travel the Pine Barrens to Sweetwater Casino Restaurant, Sweetwater (Hammonton mailing address). The run will be approximately 48 miles (one way). Please come with a full tank of gas.  Cost of the ride is a donation of $15 per rider and $5 per passenger.

Proceeds benefit the Freedom Alliance Foundation which provide:

• Educational scholarships to the children of America’s military heroes that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
• For the injured in our hospitals pre-paid long-distance phone cards, gift cards for clothing, food, toiletries, books, and magazines.
• Funding for family members to travel to see and encourage their loved one.

For more information contact John Atkinson at 856-596-9100, or go to www.citikids.org/freedom.htm, for local run information or to the national site -  www.freedomalliance.org.

The 11th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 17 at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Ft. Dix.   Shotgun start is at 8 a.m., with a two-person scramble (best ball).  Cost to play is $85 per person, with checks made payable to “Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Fund.”  Call Senior Master Sgt. Mike Balas at 609-330-4069 or Connie Cisek at 609-562-0901 for more information.  Proceeds from the tournament go to help fellow Guardsmen in need.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey is holding a golf outing on Oct. 22 at Gambler’s Ridge Golf Club, 121 Burlington Path Road, Cream Ridge, NJ.  All proceeds from the event go to the association’s scholarships.

Registration and a continental breakfast begins the day at 7:30 a.m. The play is two-person best ball with a modified shotgun start at 8:45.  A donation of $90 includes greens fees, cart and luncheon.  There will be prizes for first and second place teams for the low gross, closest to the pin on all par 3’s and the longest drive.

For more information call Mike Amoroso at 609-562-0754. Make checks payable to EANG-NJ (Golf) and mail to Leon Cisek, PO Box 365, Wrightstown NJ 08562 no later than Oct. 15.

Here’s to the Heroes provides a single day’s free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three direct dependents.

Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or Guard member is entitled to free admission under the program. He or she need only register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of Defense photo ID.

A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL, and CFL football players have announced they are extending their sponsorship of the SAT/ACT training to all military families.

The sponsorship allows any military person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request as many programs as they need for the students in their lives.  There is a secure website to confirm a person’s military status before directing the user to the software order site.  Logon to::

www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0
Programs are shipped to domestic U.S. addresses and APO addresses.  The sponsorship covers the purchase price of $199 and the family pays only the shipping and handling of $9.95.

The American Legion has scholarship information on their Web site – www.legion.org – including the 152-page booklet, Need a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans’ dependents and members of the American Legion family.  When you get on the site, click on “Scholarship Information” in the “Useful Links” block.

From the AMVETS Web site - www.amvets.org
AMVETS and the University of Phoenix are proud to announce a joint venture to help veterans, active duty service members, reservists, Guardsmen and family members obtain a high-quality online education.

Together, the organizations will award 25 scholarships nationwide this year. Each scholarship will consist of a $4,000 credit with the university, which is the nation’s premier educational institution for adult learning.
All veterans, service members and family members are eligible to apply.

There are many scholarships available to military family members. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line suggests that you not pay someone to find scholarships for you. Why? Because these researchers will use the same sources on the internet that you will use, so why pay them to do so? For suggestions on where to find scholarships for which you might be eligible, visit: www.enewsbuilder.net/cbbb military/e_article-000694547.cfm?x=b8r7v3.
For information to help military families avoid financial pitfalls, visit: http://military.bbb.org

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.

The National Guard Association of New Jersey will be conducting the following events.  All members (active and retirees) are encouraged to participate:

• National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico from August 25-27, 2007.  The New Jersey delegation will be staying at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport).  Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great pool for the family and is located close to the convention center (10 minutes).  We have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis.  Additional information and registration forms will be coming out shortly.  If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose Maldonado.
• NGANJ Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ website.  If you need copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional information, please go to the website at:  www.nganj.org.

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

*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these dates.
The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the identified dates.
During the month of June the kiosk will travel to the New Jersey Elks Convention (May 31-June 1), the American Legion Convention (June 6-9) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention (June 13-16).

N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center's upcoming events
 =================