New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights » 5 October 2007

Volume 6, Number 40


Contacting us is easy!

Public Affairs Office

Phone: (609) 530-7088
Fax: (609) 530-6963



Veterans' Organizations Contact Information

State Veterans Service Council
Mr. Richard Clark
RJClark21@msn.com

NJ Advisory Committee for Women Veterans
Mrs. Anna Hoffman
hoffmanannem@aol.com

BG Willam C. Doyle Cemetery Advisory Council
Mr. William Rakestraw
warjrnj@msn.com



Veterans Hotlines

Benefits & Entitlements
1-888-8NJ-VETS
(1-888-865-8387)

Mental Health
1-866-VETS-NJ4
(1-866-838-7654)



DMAVA Highlights Archive

DMAVA Highlights Archive Page



NJ World War II Memorial

For information or to make a donation, call 609-530-7049

WWII Memorial on the web



New Jersey Freedom Loans

What is a Freedom Loan?
* Up to $10,000
* Annual APR 6%
* Term: 5 years (no pre-payment penalty)
* Unsecured Loan (no collateral required)

Who is eligible to apply?
NJ residents who are:
* Members of the National Guard or Reserve
* Mobilized for one year or longer to fight in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) - excluding routine training.

Or

* Served 90 or more consecutive days in the GWOT on federal or state active duty (excluding routing training) and have received orders extending cumulative active duty a year or longer.

How do I apply?
* Contact participating banks. Call or visit your local branch office to obtain an application.
* Guardmembers, Reservists, or family members with Power of Attorney must submit copies of current mobilization orders with the bank's Freedom Loan application.

Current participants:
Commerce Bank
1-888-751-9000

Credit Union of NJ
609-538-4061, ext. 401

First Morris Bank & Trust
1-888-530-2265

Manasquan Savings Bank
732-223-4450

North Jersey Federal Credit Union
1-888-78NJFCU

Peapack-Gladstone Bank (908)
719-BANK

Pennsville National Bank
856-678-6006

PNC
1-866-PNC-4USA

Sovereign Bank
1-877-391-6365

Sun National Bank
1-800-691-7701


Quote for the Week

Necessity never made a good bargain.

- Benjamin Franklin

Man is what he believes.

- Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

He who reflects too much will accomplish little

- Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller

A wise man knows everything; a shrewd one, everybody.

- Anonymous


Download PDF Version of this week's highlights

News For Your Views

Albanian defense chief visits New Jersey Guard

From the desk of Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA PAO

Several high ranking officials from New Jersey's State Partnership program country, Albanian, visited this week. The Albanian Chief of Defense, Lt. Gen. Luan Hoxha led the delegation that started their two-day visit at the West Trenton flight facility with an orientation flight aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk. The following day Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, welcomed the Albanian Chief of Defense before the group toured the Homeland Security Center of Excellence.

Wing ups op tempo

From the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO

Recently, the 108th Air Refueling Wing entered its third year of participation in the North East Tanker Task Force refueling OEF/OIF aircraft. By the conclusion of this summer the ops tempo had doubled since we started in July 2004.  In one month, the NETTF crews flew almost one hundred hours and offloaded 1.5 million pounds of fuel, while one mission had our longest NETTF sortie yet of 7.2 hours. September saw the first Coronet missions supporting a multi-aircraft deployment.  Through all of this the 108th maintainers were able to sustain a maintenance reliability rate in excess of 96 percent.

Newest Star

By Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA PAO

On Sunday, Sept. 30, Col. Stephen J. Hines was promoted to Brigadier General in a ceremony at the Lawrenceville Armory. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, and Hine's wife Patricia pinned on the star in front of a crowd of nearly 200 co-workers, family and friends.

After four years in the Navy, Hines enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in October 1971.  He was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from the New Jersey Military Academy, OCS Class 17, in July 1974, working his way up to become the Army Guard Chief of Staff for Joint Force Headquarters prior to his current assignment as Deputy Commander, 42nd Infantry Division (UEX).

TEAM NJANG rides for Multiple Sclerosis

Riding their bicycles 150 miles from Woodcrest PATCO Station, N.J. through Hammonton, the Pine Barrens to the civic center in Ocean City, N.J. and back to the starting point, members of Team NJANG raised more than $6,000 for multiple sclerosis research.  The ride took place Sept. 29-30 with 8,000 cyclists participating in the ride that raised $5 million for the cause.

Team NJANG consisted of 15 riding members and two support staff.

Riders were: Lt. Col. David LaTOUR, NJANG headquarters, Capt. Alessandro Baldi, 108th ARW, Master Sgt. David Heulitt, 227th SOF, Master Sgt. Bobbie Panger, 108th ARW, Master Sgt. Tania Prairie, 108th ARW, Master Sgt. Kenneth Schechter,108th ARW, Master Sgt. Michael Sylvester, 108th ARW, retired Capt. Harry Marshall and six civilians: Ralph Baron, George Boersig, Peter Brown, Ryan Dease, Douglas Emey, and Erick Panger.  Support personnel were Senior Master Sgt. William Bird and Master Sgt. Vincent Mazza, both from the 108th ARW.

Members of 108th ARW ran in three base run

From the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO

Showing their fleet feet, four members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing participated in the Inaugural Joint Base Run at Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force Base and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst on Sept. 29.   The runners participating were Master Sgt. Patrick Applegate, Maj. Michael Baldi, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Johnson and Staff Sgt. Michael Klein.

Air Guard member helps to send "scrubs" to Iraq

From the desk of 1st Lt. April Kelly, 108th ARW PAO

Staff Sgt. Jamal Hogan, a medial technician with the 108th Medical Group, 108th Air Refueling Wing, successfully assisted with a local voluntary initiative to send 500 pairs of operating room "scrubs" to Balad Air Base, Iraq, where he was recently deployed.

Vets Haven has another car donation

From the desk of Robert Sauselein, Superintendent of Veterans Haven

The Burlington Bristol Bridge Commission for the second consecutive year has donated a vehicle to Veterans Haven.  They donated a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria.  The staff and residents of Veterans Have would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman John Comegno, Commission Priscilla Anderson and Commissioner James Fletcher.

Counterdrug Task Force has job openings

The Counterdrug Task Force announces an opening in the Counterdrug support operations. Two positions are open to any qualified current member of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  It is a full time, Active Duty Special Work, military duty position vacancy (Title 32). Military grade needed to apply for the position is E2-E5 with E5 being the maximum grade.

Members who are selected for the job are subject to unusual and additional duty hours. They must maintain responsibilities to their unit of assignment to include MOSQ, attend scheduled drills and annual training, and maintain readiness status.

The job consists of assisting Law Enforcement Agencies with intelligence analysis support and developing investigations and cases for prosecution.  Activities include, inputting, reviewing and analyzing collected information and providing legal, paralegal and auditing assistance. Operational support to LEAs is designed to enhance the effectiveness of the supported agency and release law enforcement officers for drug enforcement duties.

For more information on how to apply for the positions, contact Staff Sgt. Christina D. Ermi at 609-530-7166.

Scholarships available to veterans of OIF/OEF

The Fund for Veterans Education announced it would award up to $1 million in undergraduate scholarships for veterans, including National Guard and Reservists returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for the spring or fall 2008 terms. The awards, which may be renewed for the following academic year, are intended to cover financial need not met by need-based grants and military education benefits. The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 15. For more information, visit: http://www.veterans fund.org.

If you're in college or are about to begin college, please check out this scholarship opportunity!

Annual membership meeting for NJNG Militia Museum

From the desk of retired Maj. Ray Rauanheimo, NG Militia Museum of NJ Trustee and Docent
All members of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey are invited to attend the annual general membership meeting to be held at the Lawrenceville Museum in the armory cafeteria.  The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 21.  The meeting is scheduled to take one to two hours.  A light brunch and coffee/soda will be available for $5 per person. 

Contact the Lawrenceville Museum at 609-530-6802 if you have any questions. 

The Board of Trustees thanks all members for their continuing support of the Museum.

School invites military, veterans to special performance

From the desk of Ronald Slate, Supervisor of Visual, Performing and Practical Arts, Springfield Public Schools

Springfield, NJ - Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School would like to extend an invitation to all of our service men and women to our performance of Rogers and Hammerstein's South Pacific on December 7 at 7 p.m. The performance will take place at Jonathan Dayton High School's Halsey Hall Auditorium, 139 Mountain Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081.

The school plans to honor our local service organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Jewish War Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans Association along with active members of our armed forces at this performance and would like to have you join this celebration.

The school has been working on character education and our students have been researching our service people and the sacrifices they have endured to ensure our nation's freedoms.  The students are also working with Operation Shoebox, an organization that takes supplies, items and letters from home and delivers them to our troops overseas.

Students and faculty are sure this will be a special evening for our students, veterans and community.

AUSA conference webcast on Army.mil

The 2007 Conference Association of the United States Army (AUSA) will be held Oct. 8-10 in the Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.  The following AUSA events will be webcast live on www.Army.mil:

Monday, Oct. 9 - Opening Ceremony - 9:30-11:15 a.m.; the keynote speaker is Hon. Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army

Tuesday Oct. 9, 12:30 p.m. - Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon - speaker is Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army Chief of Staff

Wednesday Oct. 10 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Sustaining Member Reception and Luncheon - Hon.Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense

Wednesday Oct. 10, 6-7 p.m. - George Catlett Marshall Memorial Reception and George Catlett Marshall Memorial Dinner.

New rules for recycling in Mercer County

From the Department of Treasury, Office of Energy Savings; the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Recycling; and, Joseph K. Dunleavy, DMAVA REM

Your help is requested to support our launch of a new, simplified recycling program for State facilities in Mercer County. This change will address some of the current confusion about what gets recycled and where it should go. It will also enable us to accurately measure and improve our recycling performance in each facility going forward.

Starting October 1, all State facilities located within Mercer County, and all occupants within those facilities, will be able to combine recyclable materials into one of the following two (2) containers, for collection. New labels will be in place on these containers by the end of the week:

Mixed Paper - if you can tear it, it is considered mixed paper (all paper, all colors, newspaper, file folders, magazines, mail, etc.)

Bottles and Cans - plastic or glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans

Please do your part to separate out the recyclable materials listed above, from other waste you may generate in your day to day activities. This can be as simple as keeping a bin or box in your work space to throw all waste paper into (paper represents the bulk of our recyclables). You can then empty that box into the designated recycling container from time to time, when it is convenient. From that point, the armorer staff and vendors will be transporting the recyclables to the proper location, where they will be removed and processed by our new recycling vendor.

By increasing our recycling rate, we conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and reduce pollution. That is something we can all be proud of and something that will deliver a lasting benefit for generations to come.

NOTE - Corrugated cardboard will continue to be processed as it is today, for your facility. All cardboard is to be FLATTENED BEFORE BEING PLACED ON THE LOADING DOCK!

Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15, 2006

From the desk of Dorinda Sapp, Affirmative Action Officer

In continuing to celebrate major accomplishments and Hispanic contributions to military service during Hispanic Heritage Month, this week we are recognizing Medal of Honor Recipients.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award given to military members for their actions that have helped form our nation's rich history.  They are honored for their acts of heroism, for their "individual gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."

The Medal of Honor is symbolic of the heroic acts for which it is awarded.  Elements of the design represent victory, strength, wisdom and valor.  Throughout history, Hispanic-American service members have distinguished themselves with their gallant actions during wartime. 

World War II

Marcario Garcia; Staff Sergeant, Company B, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division - citation received for incident near Grosshay, Germany, Nov. 27, 1944

Jose M. Lopez; Sergeant, 23rd Infantry, 2d Infantry Division - citation received for incident near Krinkelt, Belgium, Dec. 17, 1944

Jose F. Valdez; Private First Class, Company B, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division - citation received for incident near Rosenkrantz, France, Jan. 25, 1945

Manuel Perez, Jr.; Private First Class, Company A 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division - citation received for incident at Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippine Islands, Feb. 13, 1945

Korean War

Joseph C. Rodriguez; Sergeant (then Pfc.), Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division - citation received for incident near Munye-ri, Korea, May 21, 1951

Rodolfo P. Hernandez; Corporal, Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team - citation received for incident near Wontong-ni, Korea, May 31, 1951

Benito Martinez; Corporal, Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division - citation received for incident near Satae-ri, Korea, Sept. 6, 1952

Vietnam War

Alfred Rascon; Specialist Fourth Class, Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) - citation received for incident in Republic of Vietnam, March 16, 1966

Roy P. Benavidez; Master Sergeant, Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam - citation received for incident West of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, May 2, 1968

Louis R. Rocco; Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance Command - citation received for incident Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, May 1970

NOTE:  For more information on these and other Medal of Honor recipients go to http://www.army.mil/cmh/moh.html.

Mailing help for holiday overseas packages

By Karen Jowers - Army Times Staff writer

If you want to get holiday gifts to a service member deployed overseas by Dec. 25, it's time to start thinking about mail deadlines.

The first suggested deadline of Nov. 13 is for packages going by parcel post to deployed troops and those living on overseas installations, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Parcel post may be the slowest option, but it's the cheapest, too. For packages to arrive by the start of Hanukkah, at sundown Dec. 4, they should be mailed by Oct. 23.

You can check the cost of mailing your package through different avenues on the Postal Service's Web site.

Postal officials strongly advise families to consider these deadlines because of the volume of mail during the holiday season. Many groups are already gearing up to send packages to deployed troops.

Some tips from the Postal Service:

v    Packages must be addressed to an individual service member. Mail cannot be delivered to "any service member." Use the member's full name, military organization or unit and APO/FPO address.

v    Do not include the country name in any part of the address when using an APO/FPO address.

v    Choose a box strong enough to protect its contents, and use plenty of cushioning material such as popcorn or newspapers.

v    Consider using the Postal Service's free Military Kit - eight boxes of three different sizes popular for mailing to military personnel, along with mailing labels, tape and U.S. Customs forms. Kits can be obtained by calling toll-free to (800) 610-8734. Choose option 1, and when a live agent responds, ask for Care Kit 4.

v    Write the delivery and return addresses on one side of the package.

v    Place a return address label inside the package.

If you miss the parcel post deadline, here are your options for getting mail to an APO/FPO address by Dec. 25 (subtract 21 days from these deadlines to ensure delivery in time for Hanukkah):

v    Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 27.

v    Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 4, except for ZIP codes starting with 093, which are all areas of contingency operations. The suggested deadline for those locations is Dec. 1.

v    Priority Mail: Dec. 11 (093 ZIP codes, Dec. 4).

v    First-class letters and cards: Dec. 11. (093 ZIP codes, Dec. 4).

v    Express Mail Military Services: Dec. 18 (not available to 093 ZIP codes).

Visit the following Web site to check out mailing guidelines. http://www.usps.com/ send/preparemailandpackages/preparingpackages.htm.

Retirement Dinners

Retirement time for Catherine Vassil

Here is your chance to say goodbye to Catherine Vassil of the DMAVA Human Relations Division. Her retirement dinner will be held Oct. 26, 5 p.m., at Mastoris Restaurant, Bordentown.

Cost of the dinner is $30 per person which includes the gift. RSVP no later than Oct. 19 to Anna Marie Boutchia at 609-530-6889.

Entrees can be decided at the restaurant and include items such as broiled flounder, London broil, roast turkey, baked ham and more.

Farewell to CWO Curving

The retirement dinner for Chief Warrant Officer Five Albert G. Curving will be held on Nov. 2 at the Lawrenceville Armory.  Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. 

Cost of the dinner is $32 per person. For more information, to make payments and reservations, contact Maj. Denise McCleary at 609-562-0213.  Reservations must be made by Oct. 15.  Dress for the evening is civilian business attire.

For Your Calendar   

Homecoming event for OIF/OEF veterans

The New Jersey Health Care System and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be holding their first annual Homecoming Event on Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Auditorium at the East Orange Campus, 385 Tremont Ave., East Orange.

The event will have a meet and greet with representatives of the Vet Center, Social Security, Dept. of Labor, DMAVA, OUTREACH, mental health, War-related Illness and Injury OIF/OEF team and many more community service agencies. 

Tours will be available at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. of the museum, OIF/OEF Transitional Unit and the War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center.

Prizes and food will be available for the whole family.

For more information, contact Michelle Stefanelli at 973-395-1727 or Carolyn Snyder, 908-647-0180, ext. 4398.

Oktoberfest and town hall meeting on Oct. 12

Come to the DMAVA/JFHQ Town Hall meeting and afterwards join in the fun at the Oktoberfest at the Lawrenceville Armory on Oct. 12.  The fest starts at noon; the mandatory town hall meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.

For a mere $10 admittance fee, you can enjoy a roasted pig, bratwurst and sauerkraut, German and regular potato salads, baked beans, strudel and assorted desserts.  To wet your whistle, beverages include O'Doul's beer, birch beer, assorted soda and water.  Those attending are asked to contribute desserts.

The entry fee includes a raffle ticket for two nights at the Borgota in Atlantic City, breakfast, dinner and comedy show tickets for two.

If personnel chose not to attend the Oktoberfest, it will be a normal and full workday at their regular duty station after attending the Town hall meeting. Casual attire is acceptable if you are attending the Oktoberfest; normal work uniform if you are attending the Town Hall only.

If you are interested in attending, see your department representatives.  At DMAVA, see Darlene Laarz, 609-530-6992, Karen Wallace, 609-530-6766, Dawn Espisito, 609-530-6717 or Tina Taylor, 609-530-7170; at Fort Dix, see Marie Durling, 609-562-0739 or Barbara Alcott, 609-562-0870; and at HSCOE, see Kevin Hearn, 609-530-7069.

This event is open to employees only.

Army Soldier Show coming to New Jersey

The 2007 U.S. Army Soldier Show is a high-energy 90-minute live musical review showcasing the talents of active duty Soldiers who are selected by audition from throughout the Army. They are amateur artists who have a passion for music, dance and performing. They come from infantry, transportation, military police, medical, intelligence, aviation, signal and other tactical units. The show is assembled in six weeks, and then tours for 6 1/2 months.  The most recent tour began in May 2007.  It will be in our area on three occasions.

Oct. 13 - Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.

Oct. 23 - Fort Monmouth, N.J.

Admission to all performances is free. Check with local Morale, Recreation and Welfare or public affairs officials for exact location, post access procedures, and curtain times. Dates and locations are subject to change.

Join local motorcycle riders on a ride, Oct. 13

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 Oct. 13 (rain date of Oct. 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.

Reintegration briefings scheduled for BSB

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist

Soldiers and family members of Company D/250th BSB will have their 30 day Reintegration Briefing on Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bordentown Armory, 1048 Route 206 South, Bordentown.

New aircraft coming to 108th ARW; ceremony on Oct.15

Transition and conversion have begun for 108th Air Refueling Wing personnel. Recently members of the Maintenance Squadron left to attend KC-135R Model School in Grand Forks, N.D., and in the month of October, 108th Operations will be sending pilots to KC-135R school.

The arrival ceremony of the KC-135R to the 108th ARW will be held on October 15, 2007 at 11 a.m.  Special speakers, guests and other events will highlight this ceremony.

Social Security rep will visit on Oct. 17 for talk on benefits

A representative from the Social Security Administration will be at DMAVA Central Office on Oct. 17 in Conference Room A from 10 a.m. to noon to give an overview of Social Security benefits, rules and regulations and updated information regarding you and your contribution. After the presentation a general question and answer session will follow as well as individual consultations.

Seating is limited so please contact Paul Serdiuk, Training Coordinator, at 609-530-6878 or Paul.Serdiuk@njdmava.state.nj.us  to insure your place.

ANG Dinosaurs holding fall gathering on Oct. 24

The (NJ) ANG Dinosaurs are holding their fall gathering of Air National Guard retirees at Moore's Tavern, Freehold, on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.  All ANG retirees and current ANG employees who are soon to be retired are invited.  Army Guard retirees are welcome to attend also.  Please RSVP to Mel Sylvester at 609-298-5970 or NuffSaidMel@aol.com or Rich Donovan at 732-223-2051 or 732-223-4445 or DONOVAN@exit109.com. Cost of meal (drinks will be separate) with tip will be about $25.

North Jersey AUSA chapter will hold meeting Oct. 25

The Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Association of the United States Army will hold their fall meeting on Oct. 25 at The Rutgers Club in New Brunswick.  Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the buffet dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

The special guests for the meeting will be Lt. Col. Peter Sandberg, professor of Military Science, Rutgers University Army ROTC and Cadet Lt. Col. Robert Preziosi of the Scarlet Knight battalion.  They will host a discussion on the role and mission of the Army RTOC and how it develops future leaders in the U.S. Army.  The chapter will also recognize 18 Rutgers ROTC seniors, 13 of whom are in the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Cost is $35 per person.  To RSVP, call retired Col. Richard F. Plechner at 732-549-1535.  The uniform of the evening is Mess Dress/Dress Blue or civilian business attire.

Honorable Mention

Send Highlights your happenings

We want your stuff!!  Is your unit doing some unique training?  Did someone in the New Jersey Guard receive accolades for accomplishing something extra special? Is your unit running a special event for the community? Does your section of DMAVA have something they need to tell the rest of the department? We want to know about it. 

Send us a short piece on what is happening so we can publish it in DMAVA Highlights.  Let us know who wrote it so we can give them credit.  If there are photos, you can send those too.  While we do not publish photos in Highlights, we can give them to the editor of Guardlife and they may be used in that publication.

When you send in your article:

ý    Identify all people in the article with rank, first and last names and job title or position.

ý    Spell out all acronyms. 

ý    When it comes to equipment, do not just give the nomenclature, also include the "name" of the equipment.  Do not use M998 alone, HMMWV is also needed.

ý    Give us as much as possible of the meat of the story - who, what, when, where, why and how concerning the event.

ý    Photos need identification of people in the photo and what is happening in the photo.

Deadline for each week is noon Thursday and should be e-mailed to Barbara.harbison@njdmava.state.nj.us. We do not publish flyers or Adobe files.  If a Web site is out there to give people more information or to get a registration form, put that in your article.

Don't be intimidated by writing, we edit it for understanding and grammar. Your article may look a different when it is published as we also edit to fit the standards of the AP Style Guide.

Show us your stuff!!

Guardsmen wanted to join the PTAE

The New Jersey Army National Guard is in the process of developing its Pre-Mobilization Assistance Element (PTAE).  The PTAE is currently looking for Traditional Drilling Guardsmen of various MOSs for a Title 32 ADSW (Additional Duty Special Work) tour at Fort Dix.

The purpose of the PTAE is to provide training feedback to the supported unit and TAG through the G-3.  The PTAE will monitor and assist unit training and tracking of individual soldier/unit progress and completion of pre-mobilization training tasks. 

All applicants must be eligible and submit the following:

v    Complete DA Form 1058-R with commander's signature

v    A current Retirement Point Assessment Statement

v    Meet height/weight standards along a valid APFT within one year of ADSW start date

v    Physical Profile, DA Form 3349.  Temporary profiles are not eligible.

v    Pregnancy statement (females only) within 15 days of ADSW start date.

v    Current resume

v    Eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance.

v    Eligible to attend 15 day Observer Controller Training (OC-T) course in Camp Shelby, Miss.

For more information call Lt. Col. Walter Nall at 609-562-0321 or walter.r.nall@us.army.mil or Master Sgt. Jonny Hannigan at 609-562-0337 or jonny.hannigan@us.army.mil.

New Jersey Bar Association offers pro bono military legal assistance

The New Jersey Bar Association established and administers the Military Legal Assistance Program.  This pro bono program provides assistance to New Jersey residents who have served overseas as active duty members of reserve components of the armed forces after Sept. 11, 2001.

Individuals who have been adversely affected upon their return from deployment and cannot be represented by military lawyers can use this program. The program currently offers assistance to the following areas: family law, employment law, veterans' benefits and debtor-creditor law.

The Military Legal Assistance program will refer members of the military who contact the state bar association to volunteers qualified to assist them with their specific legal issues.  Volunteers who accept a case through the program must agree to handle such case from inception to resolution without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

If interested in the program, call toll free 1-888-541-1900 for referral or visit the New Jersey State Bar Association web site at www.njsba.com and click on the button for the Military Legal Assistance program.

Honor Guard program wants YOU!

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.

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

VA Launches Suicide Hotline

To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hot line for veterans. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson said: "Veterans need to know these VA professionals are literally a phone call away. All service members who experience the stresses of combat can have wounds on their minds as well as their bodies. Veterans should see mental health services as another benefit they have earned, which the men and women of VA are honored to provide." VA's hot line will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y. They will take toll-free calls from across the country and work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers. The toll-free hot line number is 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255).

Discounts offered for State employees

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 Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-7056.

For the Families

N.J. State Family Readiness Council offers Family Grants Program

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.

Military families can buy discounted Disney World ticket by phone

Military families who are unable to travel to a base to buy specially priced Walt Disney World Theme Park tickets have a new option.  Retired, Active, National Guard, Reservist and Department of Defense personnel are now able to purchase these specially priced tickets over the phone.  Disney Military Sales has offered discounted tickets to military families for over 20 years. The proceeds directly support the base community and the programs offered to the military personnel stationed there. Discounted tickets for qualifying military families may be purchased via mail-order by calling the Commander, Navy Region Southwest at 619-767-6000 or Air Force Central Ticket Program at 210-652-2855.

Program offers assistance to spouses of deployed military

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

Sports and Entertainment

First Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk

The First Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday Oct. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Twp, N.J.

Registration will be held from 6:30 to 8 a.m., in building. 229 - the Base Gym.  Pre- registration fee is $15 if postmarked by Oct. 10.  Race day fee will be $20. Please make checks payable to: 177 Fighter Wing Chief's Council and mail to: Master Sgt. Frank G Heath, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234.

For an application or information contact Tech. Sgt. Erica Nelson at (609) 645-6224 or Master Sgt. Frank Heath at (609) 645-6109 or frank.heath@njatla.ang.af.mil.

This event will be open to unit members, dependents, and individuals that would normally have access to the base.  This is not open to the general public.

Enlisted Association holding golf outing on Oct. 22

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.

Scholarship, Education News

HBCU holding career fair for students

A number of organizations, including the New Jersey Dept. of Education and the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, are coming together on Nov. 11 at the Trenton War Memorial Building to commemorate the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week.

High school and community college students and parents are invited to attend.  An Ecumenical service with the featured speaker, Rev. Stephen Samuels will be held from 10-11:30 p.m.  A college fair with workshops will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.   More that 40 HCBUs will be represented at the fair with information about scholarships and financial aid, making the college decision and present and future job market.  For more information, visit the web site www.HBCU-CFNJ.com.

Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended

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.

American Legion offers scholarships, booklet on their Web site

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, family members and the American Legion family.  When you get on the site, click on "Scholarship Information" in the "Useful Links" block.

Association News

NGANJ group life insurance available to members

Are you covered by the NGANJ Group Life Insurance Program?  As a member of either the Officers or the Enlisted Association, you are entitled to enroll in your Association Life Insurance Program.  This special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000 of Life Insurance for you, "round the clock".  Premiums range from as little as $2 per month and may be payroll-deducted from your drill check.  Family coverage is also available at low rates designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  Think of it!!  No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty restrictions...No war clauses.No checks to write.  Dependent coverage includes spouses and all children.  Information can be obtained by contacting retired CWO Jack Petrosilli at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S. Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004.  Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator at 732-249-8335.

Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey

The Enlisted Association is seeking members to help give our state a larger voice.  The Association speaks on legislative issues that benefit military members and families. The association works 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.

Veterans Information

Vet Career Connect helps military members find jobs

Vet Career Connect is a program designed to connect military service members with New Jersey employers. Vet Career Connect matches veteran's specific abilities, drives and interests with jobs requiring those specific abilities.

Participants complete a Caliper Profile, which is an on-line self assessment. They will receive an Individual Developmental Guide outlining personal motivators and areas of developmental opportunity. Participants will then have the opportunity to place the results of the Caliper Profile, their resume and military achievements onto a database which will be viewed by New Jersey-based companies who have indicated a strong interest in employing veterans.  

Vet Career Connect program is available at no cost to service members. In order to participate in this program, or if you have additional questions please email or call Barbara Foos, Project Administrator, at 609-524-1228 or bfoos@calipercorp.com. 

Helmets to Hardhats

The New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council's Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H) is designed to help transitioning military personnel, National Guardsmen and Reservists find the careers in the building and construction industry.  The program seeks to help military members find a career in one of 15 affiliated trades, such as electrical workers, carpenters and painters.

They work in cooperation with the national Helmets to Hardhats program, adding a personal component to the program's on-line services.  NJ H2H offers veterans preparation for successful application to any of New Jersey's registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades. Services include career counseling, entrance test preparation and referral to supportive services.

For program registration and information, visit online at www.njbctc.org/h2h or contact at 732-499-7295 or at H2H@njbctc.org.

Career Fair for service members, veterans and spouses

All military veterans, transitioning personnel, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military spouses in South Jersey and Philadelphia are invited to a career fair on the Battleship New Jersey.

RecruitMilitary will be hosting a Career Fair in cooperation with HireVets First and the American Legion on Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the Battleship New Jersey on the Camden waterfront.

For more information visit www.recruitmilitary.com.

DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues

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

 

October 30*, 31, November 1

Brunswick Square Mall

November 27, 28, 29

Quaker Bridge Mall

January 8,9, 2008

Woodbridge Center

February 5, 6, 7

Moorestown Mall

March 4*, 5, 6

Paramus Park Shopping Center

April 1, 2, 3

Voorhees Town Center

May 6*, 7, 8

Ocean County Mall

*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these dates.  The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July-Sept.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oct. and Nov.

N.J. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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

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Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Oct. 19, 8 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - "Weighing In On War, and Why: Public Opinion and Its Influences, Vietnam to Iraq," 9th annual Forum on the Vietnam Era.  Keynote Speaker: Bobby Muller, Founder of Vietnam Veterans of America.  Preregistration required. 

Oct. 20, 1 p.m. - "Choppers at War: Vietnam to Iraq," a lecture by NJ Iraq War Veteran, Lt. Col. Mark Preston, USA.  

Nov. 3, 1 p.m. - The Last Ghost of War, a film about Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange presented by film director Janet Gardner.       

Dec. 8, 1 p.m. - Ghosts in the Landscape: Vietnam Revisited, a photo gallery display and book discussion by the author/photographer, N.J. Vietnam Veteran Craig J. Barber.

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For further information call 1-800-648-VETS or visit www.njvvmf.org.

 

 

   
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