7 November 2003

   Volume 2, Number 30

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

Col Maria Falca-Dodson

Deputy Adjutant General

COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

"Brave rifles, veterans, you have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!"

.Gen Winfield Scott

Calendar Notes.

Annual Coat Drive

begins 5 November through 19 November.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

11 November 2003    10:30 a.m.

BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery

DMVA Holiday Dinner

Friday, 12 Dec 03

Garden Room

Lawrenceville Armory

Make your reservation NLT 5 Dec 03

It is the Veteran,

Not the preacher,

Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Veteran,

Not the reporter,

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Veteran,

Not the poet,

Who has given us freedom of speech

It is the Veteran,

Not the campus organizer

Who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the Veteran,

Not the lawyer,

Who has given us the right to a fair trail.

It is the Veteran,

Not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

The New Jersey Army National Guard has won the National Guard Bureau's First Term Retention Award and the Training Pipeline Retention Award for FY03.  The NJ Army National Guard won the First Term Retention Award by having the best retention of first term soldiers of all mid-size states in the nation.  CSM Richard Adkins noted during the TAG Commander's Call that this award is a testament to the great work unit leaders and retention teams have done taking care of soldiers.  The Training Pipeline Retention Award was won by New jersey for having the best Training Pipeline Retention rate of all mid-sized states in the nation.  LTC Dennis Devery, Commander of the NJARNG Recruiting Command, credits this to the exceptional performance of MAJ Heineman, CPT Brownlee, and the Soldier Support Battalion team.  The exceptional way we take care of our newest soldiers and transition them into our units in a positive and professional manner makes New Jersey the best in taking care of new soldiers.  LTC Devery will receive these two awards on behalf of the NJ Army National Guard from LTG Schultz at the Chiefs Strength Maintenance Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC on 9 November 2003.

In a ceremony witnessed by almost 1,500 dignitaries, family members, military members, and guests, Colonel Michael L. Cunniff assumed command of the 108^th Air Refueling Wing at McGuire AFB.  Colonel Cunniff will be responsible for three flying units:  the 141^st Air Refueling Squadron, 150^th Air Refueling Squadron, and the 227^th Special Operations Flight.  In addition to the three flying squadrons, he will command 19 support units.  The 108^th Air Refueling Wing is a reserve component of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command and one of only three "super tanker wings" in the Air National Guard.  The 108^th ARW conducts in-flight refueling for U.S. and allied aircraft on a worldwide basis and frequently deploys overseas in support of military operations. 

The New Jersey National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program is currently accepting applications for its upcoming class in March of 2004.  If you know of someone between the ages of 16-18 who is interested in pursuing a GED in a structured atmosphere, please tell him or her about our website: www.nj.gov/military/challenge.  The ChalleNGe Program offers a second chance at an education, life-coping skills, computer training, self-discipline, and physical fitness.  The ChalleNGe Program is free to all who enter.   Seats are limited, so contact the ChalleNGe Program today to take advantage of what could be an opportunity of a lifetime.

As part of the newest RCAS software upgrade, there is an opportunity for interested personnel to assist with manual data entry (MDE) into the software.  The MDE will be conducted at the Headquarters Building at Fort Dix from 17 November through 19 December 2003 - with a week off for the holiday 24-28 November 2003.  The staffing for this effort is being coordinated by SOTEC Resources, a staffing agency specializing in temporary employment opportunities.  SOTEC will hire data entry clerks.  Soldiers or their family members who would be interested in providing support should complete the short application/resume form as soon as possible, and submit it for consideration directly to SOTEC.  Individuals must be familiar with PC based computers using Microsoft (MS) operating systems and MS Office products.  They must have excellent keyboarding skills with a typing speed of 35 WPM or greater.  Contact MSG Caldarale at 609-562-0698 for the application or for further information.

The NJ General Assembly recently approved Resolution No. 291, which recognizes and honors the NJ Army and Air National Guard for being in the forefront of efforts to protect this state from new acts of terrorism since September 11, 2001.  The resolution reads, "It is fitting and proper for this House to (1) recognize the service provided by these brave and dedicated professionals; (2) the sacrifices they and their families have made to provide such service and (3) the great debt of gratitude each resident of this State owes to these outstanding men and women, and to honor them for such exemplary service.

Did you know that while most people were off on the State holiday, the Installations Division staff was busy doing a variety of tasks such as conducting fire alarm testing, asbestos abatement, roof repairs, and inspecting contractor projects?  Why were all of these people working on a holiday?  So that required work efforts could be accomplished with a minimum of noise, health hazards, and inconvenience to our fellow employees.  The Installation Division works every day toward providing you with first class facilities.

The National Guard Bureau proudly joined the Nation in observing National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month during November.  This year's theme is "Strengthening the Spirit."  According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are nearly 2.5 million American Indians in our country.  Their rich history speaks to us through the names of our cities, lakes, and rivers; the magnificent ruins of ancient communities;  and most important, the lives of the people who retain the cultural, spiritual, linguistic, and kinship bonds that have existed for millennia.  The NGB promotes all opportunities to honor American Indians who have served in our armed forces.  Approximately 12,000 served in the U.S. military during World War I.  More than 44,000, of a population of less than 350,000 Native Americans, served in European and Pacific war theaters between 1941 and 1945.  And, approximately 42,000 American Indians, 90 percent of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam. 

1.       NJ Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Friday, December 12, 2003, 7:35 p.m.  Tickets $30 (Save over 40% per ticket).  For information contact SMSgt Dave Whalen, (609) 754-3616, or email him at david.whalen@njmcgu.ang.af.mil. 

2.       Kelly Cup Champions, the Atlantic City Bullies ice hockey team, will honor all military personnel on Friday, 14 November 2003, at 7:05 p.m.  For more information, contact Jessica Adams at 609-348-7811.

Just want to take a moment to emphasize a problem that may result in an unpleasant situation -- Government Credit Card Abuse.  With the holidays spending season upon us, do not use your issued Federal Government for personal purchases.  Recent legislation (S-1744 and HR-3329) seeks to crack down on abuse of the issued cards by requiring agencies to develop penalties for abuse, require background credit checks before issuing the cards and conduct regular audits of the cards.  This is all brought about in response to the abuses, which have occurred in the past.  This is directed to all federal employees of this organization, Technicians, AGR, and Competitive.  No one intentionally uses the government card for personal use, however, sometimes when you see that special gift for someone and your credit card has reached its limit, don't do it.just keep on walking.in fact.when you get home tonight reach into your wallet and take out the government card and put it in a safe place.don't carry it around unless you are on Official Business.  The NJNG has excellent tracking systems already in place to guard against illegal uses.don't be embarrassed.

Today is Friday, November 7^th, the 311^th day of 2003. There are 54 days left in the year.   On this day.

J          1874 - The Republican party of the U.S. was first symbolized as an elephant in a cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly.

J          1917 - Russia's Bolshevik Revolution took place.

J          1944 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first person to win a fourth term as President.

J          1965 - The "Pillsbury Dough Boy" debuted in television commercials.

J          1973 - New Jersey became the first U.S. state to permit girls to play on Little League baseball teams.

J          1999 - Tiger Woods became the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win four straight tournaments.

J          2000 - Hillary Rodham Clinton made history as the first president's wife to win public office - U. S. Senator from the state of New York.

In a show of thanks to our nation's veterans, Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick have offered to serve veterans for a change (they served us well!) at their McCormick & Schmick's family of fresh seafood restaurants in recognition of veterans' courage and spirit.  All veterans can receive a free lunch or dinner on Veteran's Day, 11 November 2003, with proper identification (veterans ID, discharge papers, DD214).  Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.  Local McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are located in Riverside Square, Hackensack, Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Governor's annual Coat Drive will run from Wednesday, November 5^th through Wednesday, November 19^th.  A collection box will be placed in the main lobby of our Lawrenceville Headquarters Building.  Other drop-off locations have been designated at the three Veterans Memorial Homes.  Please take a few minutes to look through your closets and donate any coats that you will not be wearing this year.  Weathermen are predicting a cold winter, and many people could benefit from your old coat. 

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

Drumthwacket, the New Jersey Governor's Mansion, has announced the dates for this year's Holiday Open House - Wednesdays, 3, 10, and 17 December 2003, and Sunday, 14 December 2003 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This year's theme is Christmas Around the World with magnificent seasonal decorations furnished by Garden Clubs throughout the state.  Reservations are required at (609) 683-0591 or www.drumthwacket.org.  Admission is free, parking available on site, and gift shop will be open.

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold."

.Maurice Setter

"I wept because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet."

.Persian proverb