New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights » 12 January 2007

Volume 6, Number 02


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

As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensi-ble, but more mysterious.

-Albert Schweitzer

Download PDF Version of this week's highlights
News for Your Views

 

DMAVA Celebrates the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. The holiday commemorate the timeless values he taught us through his example -- the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.

We commemorate Dr. King’s inspiring words, because his voice and his vision filled a great void in our nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn’t enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for all Americans.

The King Holiday honors the life and contributions of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a color-blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality.

On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood that he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America.

It is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood. Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples' holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream.

In a continuing effort to celebrate Diversity in the workplace and in the communities we serve, DMAVA celebrates the contributions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and their importance to the nation in the past, present and future.

NOTE: Governor Jon S. Corzine, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells and the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission invites everyone to the annual King celebration this Sunday, Jan. 14, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial. Admission is free and is open to the public.

Peace And Safety

The New Jersey National Guard or Militia pre-dates the state of New Jersey and the formation of the United States. Its roots go back to 1664 when the General Assembly of New Jersey was granted self-government privileges by Governor Philip Carteret, the first English Governor of New Jersey. The Assembly immediately moved…"to constitute trained bands and companies,…for the safety, strength, and defense of the said province...To suppress all mutinies and rebellions; to make war, offensive and defensive, with all Indians, strangers, and foreigners".

When the General Assembly met again in 1668, the first law they passed was one relating to the Militia:

"In order to the better providing for the Peace and Safety of the Inhabitants of the Province, and the more ready accustoming our Soldiers to an expert handling of their arms. It is enacted, that the soldiers in every Town within this Province from sixteen [years] old to sixty, shall train or be mustered, at least four days in the year, and oftener if the chief military officer in the Place shall see it needful, vix., two days in the Spring, and two days in the Autumn, and there shall be at least ten days, between each training day: and in case any chief officer, constituted and commissioned, for that purpose, shall wittingly or willfully neglect the same, shall forfeit for every day's Neglect twenty Shillings, to the Public, and for every Soldier not exempted and freed in this Law, who shall neglect to attend their Duty, when required and according to their accustomed Manner, agreed upon in every Place for sufficient Warning of their training Days, by their chief military officer, appointed and allowed according to their Concessions, either by his Absence or Refusal to bring his Arms into the Field, for every day's neglect, five shillings, and for half a day, two Shillings and Sixpence, and for late coming, one Shilling, unless their Reasons be satisfactory to the Officers of train'd bands in every Place. And to the Clerk of each Band shall have Power to Collect the said Fines of their defective soldiers..."

Not only was every male within the province from 16 years to 60 required to serve in the militia, but furthermore, he had to provide "at his own cost and charge, a good and sufficient firelock gun, one pound of powder, 24 bullets fitted to the gun..., powder horn to carry afore-said powder".

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Nutter Run beneficiary is Guard daughter, granddaughter

Please join the 2007 Nutter Run at the NGTC in Sea Girt on May 19, 2007. The run starts at 10 a.m. This year’s beneficiary is Caitlyn McGuire.

Caitlyn is the daughter of New Jersey Army National Guardsman, Spc. Robert McGuire and the granddaughter of another New Jersey National Guardsman; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mickey McGuire.

The run will also feature live music, food, giveaways, raffles, prizes, games for children and much more. To see the flyer for the event, visit www.nutterrun.com.

If you can't participate in the run/walk, please help us help Caitlyn by spreading the word and raising awareness about this event. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.

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“The OnGuard” is searching for charter Air Guard members

The OnGuard – the National Guard’s bi-monthly newspaper – is searching for charter Air National Guard (ANG) members to interview for an upcoming series of articles leading up to the ANG’s 60th Birthday.

Please call Public Affairs Office at 609-530-6942 if you know of any veteran Airmen from the 1947 Air National Guard who would be willing to answer a few questions about their service.

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57th Troop command has first co-ed basketball team

The 57th Troop Command announces its first annual co-ed basketball team for the 2007 Basketball League at Fort Dix. The "Renegades" are led by 1st Lt. Susan Cook and Staff Sgt. David Woody. The Renegades are the only National Guard team in the league and are also supported by Soldiers from the 42nd Regional Support Group. The season officially starts on Jan. 9. Please come out to support the team.

Tip-off quote: "Basketball is like war in that offensive weapons are developed first, and it always takes a while for the defense to catch up." --Red Auerbach

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Marriage workshop for Guard couples available Feb. 16-18

The New Jersey National Guard Family Programs and the chaplains have teamed up again in 2007 to offer married couples in the NJNG the opportunity to attend Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) – the Marriage Enrichment Workshop. This program is not therapy nor is it a religious program. It offers a fresh approach to couples teaching effective communication skills, addressing problem resolution strategies that work, discovering hidden issues in every relationship and then move into forgiveness, fun, friendship and sensuality. The cost is free. If you are interested in attending the upcoming workshop scheduled for Feb. 16-18 at the Holiday Inn, East Windsor, N.J., please call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739 for a registration form.

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Scholarship information on BBB Military Line

There are many scholarships available to military family members. The Better Business Bureau Military Line suggests you not pay someone to find scholarships for you, 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: http://www.enewsbuilder.net/cbbbmilitary/e_article-000694547.cfm?x=b8r7v3.

For information to help military families avoid financial pitfalls, visit: http://military.bbb.org

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Youth Camp Forms Available

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 9-12 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.

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Upcoming ESGR Boss Lift

The New Jersey Committee for Employer Support to the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR) will be conducting a Boss Lift to Jacksonville, Fla. on April 11-13.
The purpose of the Boss Lift is to provide employers with a better understanding of what their employees do when they are away from their civilian occupation for duty with their military units. Nominations for relatives, minors or assistance cannot be accepted.

Commanders and Primary Staff officers should encourage Guard members to nominate employers for participation in this trip.

Nomination forms can be found at the ESGR website at www.njesgr.org

The Forms can then be submitted to:

DMAVA, NJESGR
ATTN: Hank Pierre
101 Eggert Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08640.

Additional information can be obtained from Hank Pierre at 609-530-6879.

“Troops to Teachers” program helps service members become teachers

Pensacola, Fla. - Troops to Teachers, the government program helping former military members become public school teachers, has broken the 9,500 mark in hires. Latest data shows that 9,502 teachers have been hired through the program since 1994, with Troops to Teachers represented in more than 3,000 school districts across the country.

Troops to Teachers (www.ProudtoServeAgain.com) is administered by the Department of Defense and Department of Education and managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). The program helps eligible military personnel begin second careers as public school teachers by providing referral assistance, placement services, and - for those electing to teach at high-need schools - financial stipends and bonuses.

Members of the National Guard and Reserves with 10 or more years of service are eligible for the program, provided they commit for an additional three years.

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2007 Freedom Award Nomination season open

The 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Nomination Season will open in January 2007 to National Guardsmen, Reservists and most importantly, their family members. The nomination season will open on Jan. 8 and conclude on Feb. 28.

Please visit the ESGR website at www.esgr.mil, after Jan. 8, to nominate their supportive employers for this prestigious award.

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Honorable Mention

New dial out prefix is in effect

Effective Friday, Dec. 8, all employees who work at the DMAVA Lawrenceville complex, and the Veterans Homes in Paramus and Vineland will no longer use 9 to dial for an outside line. The new dial-out prefix will be 3.

Examples are:
3-XXX-XXXX or, 3-1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

This is the first phase in converting the dial-out prefix for DMAVA facilities on a state-wide basis. This process is being implemented in order to reduce the number of mis-dialed 911 calls by staff members.

Any questions should be referred to Sophie Guzikowski, 609-530-6925 or e-mail sophie.guzikowski@njdmava.state.nj.us.

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Hire A Hero – new program to help find jobs

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 across all industries.

Hire A Hero is a non-profit initiative that is powered by the Armed Forces Support Foundation. That foundation works to help keep the military promise. That promise is that military service has value and those who serve our country deserve more than a “Thank You.” They, as well as their family members, deserve good paying jobs to support themselves and their families after returning home from battle. To find out more about these programs, visit the following Web sites:

http://www.hireahero.com/ or http://armedforcessupportfoundation.org/.

Discounts offered for State employees

Are you a state employee looking to save a few $$$? Visit http://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 on each discount, please contact Patty Smith at patty.smith@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-6847.

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Free Military Handbooks on website

Military Handbooks has announced the launch of its new website and the release of its latest seven FREE handbooks for military personnel.  Military Handbooks is a small company owned and operated by former federal employees and veterans. Their offices are located in Alexandria, Va.   

These free handbooks were written specifically for military members. To get your own copies of these free handbooks, simply go to their new website: www.militaryhandbooks.com  The handbooks include: 

     - 2007 U.S. Military Handbook
     - 2007 U.S. Military Retired Handbook
     - 2007 Getting Uncle Sam To Pay For Your College Degree
     - 2007 After The Military Handbook
     - 2007 Benefits For Veterans And Dependents Handbook
     - 2007 Veterans Healthcare Benefits Handbook
     - 2007 Military Children's Scholarship Handbook 

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Guard gate now has a phone line

The Guard Booth Telephone Number is 609-671-6623.

Effective immediately all Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Employees that interface with outside personnel for hosting on-site meetings here at the Lawrenceville Headquarters are directed to notify the security guard when expecting scheduled visitors. If you are expecting a large party for a meeting or event please provide a roster of attendees, with the meeting date time and location to the gate guard prior to the event.

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DMAVA Hotline

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

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

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

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Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey

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.

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For the Families

ACS at Fort Dix offers programs to Soldiers and family members

The Army Community Service (ACS) office at Ft Dix has several programs to support the Soldier and his/her family during mobilization and deployment.  Their number is (609) 562-2767 or (800) 877-2380 and they are located in Building 5201 at Maryland Ave and 8th Street.  Some of the programs available are:

- Army Emergency Relief:  Provides emergency financial assistance to active duty military personnel, retirees, National Guard and Reserve Component on active duty for over 30 consecutive days and their family members (with ID Card and power of attorney).

- Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP):  Entitles member to additional benefits through TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Program.  Provides information, referrals, crisis intervention, community support and assistance to meet individual needs.

- Family Advocacy Program:  Provides for the identification, reporting, prevention, and treatment of child abuse and domestic violence.

- Employment Readiness Program:  Offers information and referral for employment, education (resume writing, interviewing), volunteer & training opportunities.

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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.

Instructions for ordering the software are available HERE

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. To view a flyer that has been made to assist in the effort, go to: http://sat.eknowledge.com/military.asp

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Family Readiness Group Meeting schedule

Bordentown Armory – B Co 250th SBF & Co D 250th BSB – Jan. 20, 10 a.m.

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Harlem Globetrotters Tickets

The Harlem Globetrotters and Continental Airlines Arena would like to offer to all military members, friends and family a special $16.50 lower level ticket that is regularly priced at $35.

This offer is valid now through Friday, February 16 at 3 p.m. Military members can call the Meadowlands office at 201-460-4370 to request an order form or to find out more about this offer. There will not be any in person/box offer discounts for this event.

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Here’s To The Heroes

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 National Guardsman 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.

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Scholarship News

Two scholarships available from NJ Vietnam Memorial Foundation

Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded by the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation. All information about the scholarships, including application form, can be found on the foundation’s web site, www.njvvmf.org. All applications must be received at the foundation office no later than Friday, April 20, 2007, at 5 p.m. Those applications postmarked prior to that date but received after the deadline will not be accepted. Winners will be notified prior to the presentation of the award at the ceremony on Monday, May 28, 2007.

MOAA offers scholarships

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has a scholarship program for the children of MOAA members as well as the children of active duty, retired, Reserve and National Guard enlisted military personnel. The application period for the 2007-2008 school year begins Nov. 1, 2006 and the deadline is March 1, 2007. Members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard who are interested, can learn more about the scholarship program, by visiting the MOAA website, www.moaa.org, and clicking on “Educational Aid.”

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Defense Commissary Agency offers scholarships

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced last week that the application process for its Scholarships for Military Children program has now begun for 2007. Applications for the $1,500 scholarships are available at 264 commissaries worldwide, or can be downloaded through links at http://www.commissaries.com/, http://www.militaryscholar.org/, or http://www.dodea.edu/.

The program is open to unmarried children under the age of 21 (23 if enrolled in school) of military active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired personnel. Eligibility will be determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.

The applicant must be planning to attend, or already attending, an accredited college, or university full-time in the fall term of 2007, or enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applications for 2007, which includes an essay on "how and why" the applicant would change an historical event, must be turned in at a commissary by close of business on February 21, 2007. At least one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants.

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Colleges

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

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

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Veterans Information

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:

January 11-13, 2007

Brunswick Square Mall

February 8, 9*, 10, 2007 Moorestown Mall
Feb. 28, Mar. 1-3, 2007 Hamilton Mall
March 14*, 15, 16, 2007 Paramus park Shopping Center
April 4-6, 2007 Cherry Hill Mall
May 16, 17*, 18, 2007 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. on the identified dates.

Stamps and coins for Vets

The Veterans’ National Stamp and Coin Club is a non-profit group of volunteers who use the hobbies of stamp and coin collecting as a therapy program to support medical staff of VA Medical Centers nationwide in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled, homebound, shut-in and outpatient veteran patients. They do not trade or sell stamps or coins; they just forward these materials to those veteran patients who request them at no charge to the patient.

If you have any U.S. and foreign stamps, both on and off paper, U.S. and foreign coins or paper money, sports cards, old and new picture post cards, first day covers, catalogues for stamps and coins and mounts, please send them to Charlie Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Drive, Monroe Township NJ 08831-4742. Clip commemorative stamps off envelopes with a quarter-inch to half-inch margin around stamps. The Jewish War Vets Post 609 thanks everyone for their help in this project.

   
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