DMVA
Weekly Highlights
15 November 2002
Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith
Current DMVA Highlights
1. THE 13TH ANNUAL COAT AND GIFTS FOR KIDS
DRIVES, SPONSORED BY GOVERNOR MCGREEVEY ARE NOW UNDERWAY.
2.
FOX TV WILL FILM AT THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL.
3.
THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS IS RESPONDING
TO A REQUEST FROM CONGRESS TO HELP TELL THE NATIONAL GUARD’S
STORY TO CONGRESS.
4.
108th SECURITY FORCES TSGT LEADS AIR MOBILITY COMMAND’S
(AMC) DEFENDER CHALLENGE TEAM TO VICTORY.
5.
NEW JERSEY COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND
RESERVE HIGHLIGHTS.
6.
OUR DEPARTMENT WAS PLEASED TO HOST THE FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL
VETERANS’ SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS CALL WITH THE
GOVERNOR.
7.
BEETLE BAILEY INSTANT GAME LOTTERY PROCEEDS GIVEN TO THE
VETERANS NURSING HOMES.
8.
ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!
9.
TEST YOUR PRESIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
? Which President lost an entire set of White House china
in a poker game?
? Which sitting American President was arrested?
? Which President kept a raccoon named Rebecca?
* * * * * *
1.
THE 13TH ANNUAL COAT AND GIFTS FOR KIDS DRIVES, SPONSORED
BY GOVERNOR MCGREEVEY, ARE NOW UNDERWAY. Clean
and serviceable coats are needed and will be collected for
all ages from infant to adult until 29 November. The Gifts
for Kids drive will run from December 3-12. A list of suggested
age-appropriate gift items is available from your Human
Resources Division. Collection boxes will be set up in the
lobby of Central Office and the Human Resources Offices
at our department’s other facilities. Each year the
generosity of DMVA’s employees has touched the lives
of thousands of New Jerseyans. Thank you for your generosity
and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Any questions
can be directed to Paul Serdiuk, the Department’s
Drive Coordinator, at 608-530-6878.
2.
FOX TV WILL FILM AT THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL. On
25 November 2002, Fox TV will be filming segments of their
popular show War Stories. Oliver North, the host of the
show, will interview veterans about their war experiences.
He will be using the Atlantic City site to film the cutaways
for an upcoming show. The veterans’ interviews will
be filmed at other locations. The production crew will be
setting up at about 4 p.m. and taping will begin at approximately
6:30 p.m.
3.
THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS IS RESPONDING
TO A REQUEST FROM CONGRESS TO HELP TELL THE NATIONAL GUARD’S
STORY TO CONGRESS. The Department is preparing
a presentation to advise Congress of the National Guard’s
ability to meet the needs of our Nation’s future and
will feature the successes of the soldiers and airmen of
the NJ National Guard. The Guard’s cutting edge capabilities
and mission preparedness in the Homeland Security, Weapons
of Mass Destruction, and the War against Terrorism missions
will be featured.
4.
108th SECURITY FORCES TSGT LEADS AIR MOBILITY COMMAND’S
(AMC) DEFENDER CHALLENGE TEAM TO VICTORY. TSgt
Michael Rakauckas of the 108th SFS was selected to be this
year’s team leader for the Air Mobility Command Defender
Challenge Team. Defender Challenge is a US Air Force Security
Forces annual event that draws competitors from all the
major commands, other Department of Defense agencies, and
foreign security force teams. This year’s competition
involved three events: the pistol challenge, the combat
rifle course and the prestigious Sadler Cup competition.
The Sadler Cup competition is a full day tactical exercise
that involves combat skills and teamwork under stressful
scenarios. TSgt Rakauckas was one of only two Air National
Guard members to be selected to any US Air Force Major Command
Team, and is the first Air Guard NCO to ever lead an active
duty major command team. After performing well in the pistol
and combat rifle courses, TSgt Rakauckas’ team kicked
it into high gear and won the Sadler Cup. They received
accolades from both the Security Forces Director and the
AMC Commander for exceptional leadership. TSgt Rakauckas
is an outstanding example of the leadership and abilities
of members of the NJANG and the 108th SFS.
5.
NEW JERSEY COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND
RESERVE (NJESGR) HIGHLIGHTS. In a recent meeting
held at the facilities of the Public Service Electric and
Gas Company the NJ ESGR Committee held discussions with
employers to discuss Benefit Programs that are available
to members of NJ National Guard and Reserve who are called
to active duty. The benefit program package was forwarded
to The Adjutant General for his review. Members of the NJESGR
Committee are currently attending the ESGR Strategic Planning
Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri from 13-17 November 2002.
6.OUR
DEPARTMENT WAS PLEASED TO HOST THE FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL VETERANS
SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS CALL WITH THE GOVERNOR
on Thursday, 14 November 2002. Approximately 150 veterans
representing the senior leadership of the state’s
veterans service organizations were given an opportunity
to bring the issues and concerns of the veterans community
to the attention of Governor James E. McGreevey, Commander-in-Chief,
and members of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
team. The luncheon/meeting held at the Lawrenceville Armory
also provided attendees with an update on proposed legislative
initiatives. The Adjutant General announced this event would
be held on a semi-annual basis.
7.
BEETLE BAILEY INSTANT GAME LOTTERY PROCEEDS GIVEN TO THE
VETERANS NURSING HOMES. On November 4, 2002, NJ
Lottery introduced a new $1 instant scratch off game which
uses the Beetle Bailey characters. Cartoonist Mort Walker
has instructed that a percentage of the licensing fee for
use of the Beetle Bailey characters be donated to the Veteran’s
charity of the state’s choice. The Welfare Fund of
the Veterans Memorial Homes was chosen to receive this $6,000
contribution. The Welfare Fund provides for trips and entertainment
for the residents of the Memorial Homes.
8.
ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!
16
Nov Danger Zone Championship Wrestling Bordentown Armory
23 & 24 Nov EMCEE Sports Card Show Bordentown Armory
30 Nov Balloon Art Exhibit Dover Armory
29 Nov – 1 Dec Craft Show Westfield Armory
1 Dec NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory
15 Dec EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown Armory
9.
TEST YOUR PRESIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE