16 May 2003

Volume 2, Number 5

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria F. Morgan

Deputy Adjutant General

COL 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

Thought for the day…….

“To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a little better;

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is the meaning of success.”

…Ralph Waldo Emerson,

American poet

DMVA Picnic

Friday, 27 Jun 03

John F. Mann

Recreational Park Building 6045

Fort Dix, NJ

12:30-5 p.m

Cost: 

$10 adults

$5 children

Reservations must be made by

20 June 2003

Contact your office rep or call

Marie Durling at

609-530-4802

A Salute to the National Guard

National Guard Week

11-17 May 2003

On Wednesday, 14 May 2003, Governor James E. McGreevey signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support to encourage New Jersey’s employers to support their Guard and Reserve employees.  U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Thomas Hall, Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, and State Chairman of the ESGR, Brigadier General (Retired) Robert S. Dutko, Sr. joined Governor McGreevey for the signing ceremony.  By signing this statement, Governor McGreevey strengthens the commitment between employers and employees who are in the National Guard and Reserves and helps assure service men and women that their jobs are secure while on active duty.

This year the National Guard Association of New Jersey’s Scholarship Committee received twenty-eight scholarship applications.  After carefully reviewing these applications on the basis of Scholarship, Leadership, and Citizenship, the Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the names of nine Annual Scholarship Winners.  Each of these individuals will receive a $1,000 cash award.

As part of the coalition forces led by the United States in the war against terrorism, the NJ Army National Guard’s 253^rd Transportation Company, commanded by CPT Michael Ciarrocca, a Full Time Manning Federal Technician assigned to the G4, Plans, Operations, and Readiness Office, deployed to Southwest Asia on 17 April 2003.  CPT Ciarrocca recently sent a brief message via e-mail from Kuwait (exact location undisclosed) stating that regardless of the nightly incoming small arms fire, all NJARNG soldiers are safe and accounted for, and are performing their duty in a proud and professional manner.  We wish him and all of his soldiers victory in their mission and a safe and speedy return home.

Six of DMVA’s Veterans Service Officers provided in-office counseling to a combined total of 948 veterans and their families during the month of April.  They were Dave Martin (374), Joe Salzano (127), Guy Wiener (127), Bill Burrows (114), Bruce Stanley (111), and Monica Banca (95).  Keep up the good work!

Beginning March 10, 2003, Guard and Reserve family members, if their sponsor is on active duty for more than 30 days, will be eligible to enroll in TRICARE Prime (to include TRICARE Prime Remote (TPR) if eligible).  Previously, the sponsor had to be activated for 179 days or more.  In the New York/New Jersey area this would also include the Uniformed Service Family Health Plan (USFHP).  For additional information on these policies, please visit the TRICARE website at www.tricare.osd.mil.  USFHP information can be obtained at http://www.usfhp.org/portal/default.asp. 

The National Guard Bureau (NGB) and the Project Management Office – Reserve Component Automation System (PMO-RCAS) have procured an enterprise license agreement for Microsoft software to modernize the operating system of the Army National Guard’s computers.  This agreement will allow the Army National Guard to go from Microsoft Windows NT and Office 97 to Windows XP with Office XP Professional.  The upgrade will take place over the next several months.  The agreement will provide free upgrades to the software for the next three years.  Upgrading our software is required because Microsoft will soon stop supporting software security patches for the NT operating system.

LTC Alvarado’s promotion was effective on 16 April 2003.  He is currently assigned as the Chief of the G3 Mobilization and Readiness Section.  His hard work and dedication over the past several months has been instrumental in assuring the successful deployment of over 500 soldiers.  His promotion is well deserved.  Congratulations!

The U. S. Military Handbook, which provides the most accurate information available anywhere on pay, allowances, taxes, health care and TRICARE benefits, Veterans and Social Security benefits, travel, transportation, SBP, retirement, Space-a, installations listings and much more, is available free of charge to members of the military.   Also available are the U.S. Military Retired Handbook and the U.S. Military Divorce Handbook.  You can request your free copy of these publications by visiting the website: http://www.militaryhandbooks.com. 

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the BG Doyle Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ, will be held on Saturday, 24 May 2003.  Color Guard units representing various veterans’ organizations will lead a march at 10:30 a.m.  The Memorial Service will begin at 11 a.m.

CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the New Jersey Army National announced the creation of the Warrant Officer Project Officer (WOPO) additional duty assignments in support of warrant officer recruiting and accession in the NJARNG.  The concept of the WOPO mirrors that of the Officer Project Officer (OPO) assignments that are having a positive impact on Officer Candidate School enrollments this year.  The WOPO will be the unit “go-to” person for warrant officer information.  Mr. Curving is assembling WOPO information and administration kits, and developing a training seminar to equip the WOPOs.

To honor America’s service men and women, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is offering active members of the U.S. military a complimentary 5-day Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Ticket.  This ticket is valid for admission to Disney’s theme parks, water parks, and more at the Walt Disney World Resort, through December 19, 2003.  Active members of the U.S. military may also purchase 5-day Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion Tickets for $99 each (plus tax) for up to five family members or friends.  For additional details, please call (407) 939-7424 or visit the Disney World website at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisney
world/reservations/reservationsindex?id=MilitaryOfferRoot. 

This pamphlet describes the variety of federal benefits available to veterans and their dependents as of January 1, 2003.  Benefit topics covered in the pamphlet include:  Health Care, Burial, Survivor, Disability and Pension, Education and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, as well as Workplace Benefits.  This informative booklet can be accessed at the Veterans’ Administration website:  http://www.va.gov/pubaff/fedben/fedben.pdf. 

The Hadrosaurus Foulkii was designated the state dinosaur by Chapter 161 of the Laws of 1991.  Governor James J. Florio signed the law June 12, 1991, in a ceremony attended by pupils and teachers of Strawbridge Elementary School, Westmont, who had campaigned for the designation for more than 10 years.  Fossil remains of the 25-foot long, duck-billed creature were unearthed in a Haddonfield marl pit in October, 1858, by William Parke Foulke.

• Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work.
• The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters
• Fish have eyelids.
• Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
• The average human being spends 2 weeks kissing in a lifetime.