New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

Dmva Highlights
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

  • Which President lost an entire set of White House china in a poker game?
    Warren G. Harding – Harding’s love for the game was so strong that his inner circle was known as his “poker cabinet.”

  • Which sitting American President was arrested?
    President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for driving his horse-drawn carriage too fast. He was fined $20.

  • Which President kept a raccoon named Rebecca?
    Calvin Coolidge. Every day he visited Rebecca and walked her around the White House on a leash.

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