New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights » 17 August 2007

Volume 6, Number 33


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

Visits always give pleasure-if not the arrival, the departure.
- Portuguese proverb

Some people are so fond of ill luck that they run halfway to meet it..
- Douglas William Jerrold

You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A yawn is a silent shout.
- Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Download PDF Version of this week's highlights

News For Your Views

Airmen learn Soldiering skills

By Maj. Steven Rothstein, JFHQ/ACOS

Fifty Airmen from the 177th volunteered to be members of the Air National Guard Quick Reaction Force (ANG QRF) capable of rapidly mobilizing in the event of a state emergency.

They have joined a select group of 100 Airmen - 50 from the 177th and 50 from the 108th Air Refueling Wing - ready to aid the citizens of the great state of New Jersey at a moment's notice.

These Airmen already bring skill sets unique to their "high-demand" AFSC's (Air Force Specialty Codes) such as civil engineering, security police and others.  Now they will have basic knowledge of traditional "Soldiering" skills including clearing and securing a building.

The idea originated with Col. Ronald Alfors, Chief of Staff-Air, as an evolution of the extensive support the Air Guard has always provided in state emergencies.  "We have always provided a specialized capability to state response by leveraging our members' AFSC training," stated Alfors.   "If Airmen are needed to put boots on the ground for these other types of missions, they would go through a 72 hour just-in-time training program at the Joint Training and Training Development Center (JT2DC) before hitting the street."

While the doctrine and plans were in place for this eventuality, the scenario was never exercised.  "This puts a core of 100 people through that just-in-time training up front, while still maintaining the ability to provide training to many more if needed."

Taking that vision to reality was a joint effort led by Lt. Col. Randolph Slaughter, Officer in Charge of Plans and Programs and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Bouffard, NCOIC of Plans and Programs on the Air side with Lt. Col. Brian Sharkey and Capt. Scott Hofstetter on the Army side.  They worked with New Jersey's Joint Task Force Commander, Col. Stephen Hines, to identify ten core Military Support to Civilian Authorities (MSCA) tasks.  Based on time and resources available to con-duct the training, indoctrination into six of the ten was included in the syllabus for the basic course.

The actual training responsibility to make sure that the Air Guard team is ready fell to the NCOs of the first battalion of the 254th Regiment led by Sgt. 1st Class Paulo Amado.  His team of instructors spent several months planning the curriculum leading up to the training exercise.  Their expertise ensured that the ANG QRF is ready to respond to any MSCA event.

The first course was conducted on June 9-10.  Fifty Airmen from the 108th Air Refueling Wing received hands-on training both in the classroom at the JT2DC and at the MOUT (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain) site at Range 12 on Fort Dix.

For the Jersey Devils the weekend was spent learning and practicing the skills thousands of their fellow guardsmen used in New Orleans after Katrina.  The basics covered everything from patrolling streets to knowing what they can and cannot do when the situation gets desperate.

Much of the training they received this weekend is what they would need in any type of state response.  They all remember the pictures of National Guardsmen conducting house-to-house searches in those areas of New Orleans devastated when the levees broke.  If something of that magnitude happens in New Jersey, they all know that their team will be ready to deploy and work seamlessly with the Army Guard on those very same types of missions.

Real world training

By Sgt 1st Class Robert Stephenson, NJDMAVA/PA

EXERCISE - Two New Jersey National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters swooped in to deposit members of the Middlesex County Special Operations Reaction Team (SORT) right in the middle of the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. The SORT immediately fanned out and advanced on one of the student buildings.  Gunshots follow.

Under different circumstances this would be the beginning of a frightening situation reminiscent of what took place at the University of West Virginia campus several months ago.  But this was not a real hostage situation, just an exercise that involved numerous state and local law enforcement and emergency services agencies.  The goal of the exercise was to solidify the cooperation between agencies which may be called upon to work together on short notice during a real terrorist threat.

"Our specialization in Homeland Security is providing support to law enforcement," explains Lt. Col. John Sheard of the New Jersey National Guard.  "So primarily from the aircraft side of the house, [support] with the lift aircraft is to bring the Special Operations teams to a location so they can deploy more rapidly and with a show of force."

While transporting law enforcement reaction teams is important, knowing where to transport them is just as important.

"With the reconnaissance aircraft, we have the capability of taking photos from the air, day or night, video downlink technology, from the tactical side of the house, to vehicles at the site, and strategically, we can send that signal throughout the state, to the Adjutant General's office and to the New Jersey State Police office, which is where this all centralizes from," notes Sheard.

Helping to provide that signal is Chief Warrant Officer Jerry Steber of the 2-104th Service and Support Aviation Battalion. Steber, who manages the equipment that receives the video signal from the helicopter, has worked with law enforcement before.  "Most of the law enforcement agencies that I've had a personal interface with really look to us for the support that they don't have," says Steber.  "It's a definite asset for them as far as visual and electronic information being provided to the task force commanders and the command posts when they're doing these types of operations."

With the help of the New Jersey National Guard, this exercise ends well according to Detective Douglas Sprague, Deputy Task Force Commander of the SORT.

"We had information that there were three active shooters somewhere in the building, we assembled the SORT into 20-man assault teams, and we cleared four floors of the building and took the bad guys down outside the building."

All in all, a good day for the good guys, with a little help from the New Jersey National Guard.

Pilots gain survival training edge

By Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA

Pilots from 119th Fighter Squadron held their water survival training at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson on July 17.

United States Coast Guard water survival specialists along with the pilots trained at Hurricane Harbor because the wave pool gave a greater degree of realism to the training than what is afforded at a regular swimming pool.

This year's training included getting into the one-person life raft, swimming out from underneath a floating parachute (during World War II, more deaths were attributed to drowning while caught under a parachute in water than any other cause) and climbing inside a large life raft.

According to Operations Group Commander Col. Vyas Deshpande, the training was a success due to its realism based on the conditions the pilots would encounter if they were forced to parachute over a body of water.

Rowe elected NASAA president

Charles Rowe, Bureau Chief of the New Jersey State Approving Agency (SAA), New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, has been elected President of the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA), which oversees the management of the 60 SAA's nationwide.

As president, Rowe will be representing NASAA at Congressional hearings affecting the educational benefits of veterans, promoting a better understanding of the role and function of the SAA among veterans, as well as community agencies and education and training establishments and promoting quality education and training for veterans and other eligible persons.

Rowe has served with the New Jersey SAA for 20 years and as Bureau Chief for the past four years.  Prior to be elected president, he was the NASAA Vice President.

Vets Haven gets two cars for the residents

From the desk of Robert Sauselein, Superintendent of Veterans Haven

Veterans Haven recently obtained vehicles that will be raffled off to two residents of Veterans Haven.  The vehicles are a 1991 Chevy Caprice and a 1987 Dodge van.   They were donated by Clinton Crable, Jobstown, N.J., who donated the Chevy Caprice and Camille Fanning who donated the Dodge van. 

These vehicles will enable two of our current residents to seek better employment beyond the range of the local public transportation system and significantly increase their changes of improving their quality of life. 

Inaugural Joint Base Race to be held Sept. 29

MGUIRE AFB, N.J. -- McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and NAES Lakehurst will hold the Inaugural Joint Base Race Sept. 29 at 8:30 a.m.

The race, featuring a half-marathon, a 5-K Run/Walk and a Kid's Run, will be open to any interested participants, and all DoD cardholders are encouraged to participate. All are invited to compete against the men's and women's military academy marathon teams from the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and West Point in the first of what base leadership plans to be an annual event.

"This will be a good event for us," said Col. Tom Kastner, U.S. Army Academy Marathon Team officer in charge. "The cadets will enjoy the sister academy competition and the whole experience."

The 13.1-mile route will be on paved surfaces within McGuire AFB and Fort Dix's Cantonment Area and will pass static displays such as McGuire's "Pudgy's" aircraft, a replica of the P-38 flown by Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr, and a C-118 that actually flew Elvis Presley to the U.S. from Germany in March 1960. On Fort Dix, runners will see U.S. and Soviet military tanks including a Huey Helicopter, a Russian T-72 Main Battle Tank and more.

Participants will receive a T-shirt (if registered before Sept. 1), a participation medal, a pasta dinner the night before the race, post-run snacks as well as entertainment. Runners will also compete against each other in various categories.

For more information or to register, call 1st Lt. Terry Demille, 305th Services Squadron, at (609) 754-4750 or go online. Registration deadline is noon Sept. 24.

A day to celebrate our State

Governor Jon S. Corzine and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells invite you to New Jersey's Cultural Festival, Saturday, Sept. 29.  The festival will be held at the South Riverwalk Park, Riverview Plaza, Trenton, N.J. (next to Waterfront Park - Route 29 South), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain Date - Sunday, Sept. 30).  Great Food...Cultural Exhibits and Speakers..Exciting Performances! 

Summit to address health problems

From the desk of Dorinda Sapp, Affirmative Action Officer

The 2007 Minority Women's Health Summit, Women of Color: Addressing Disparities, Affirming Resilience, and Developing Strategies for Success will be held Aug. 23-26, 2007, in Washington, DC.

This Summit is the third to address health disparities among women of color living in the United States.

Summit Goals:

v    Build on the knowledge gained in the previous conferences and identify distinct health issues disproportionately impacting minority women so that programs can be improved;

v    Highlight successful models of health promotion and prevention that can be replicated in the community.

Visit the Web site: http://www.womenshealth.gov/mwhs/ for more information.

VA Launches Suicide Hotline

To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hot line for veterans. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson said: "Veterans need to know these VA professionals are literally a phone call away. All service members who experience the stresses of combat can have wounds on their minds as well as their bodies. Veterans should see mental health services as another benefit they have earned, which the men and women of VA are honored to provide." VA's hot line will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y. They will take toll-free calls from across the country and work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers. The toll-free hot line number is 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255).

Transit looking for Soldiers and Airmen

New Jersey Transit is seeking to recruit Soldiers and Airmen returning from deployments.

NJ Transit has a critical need for servicepersons, electricians, police officers, machinists, part-time bus operators, locomotive engineers, assistant conductors, repairpersons, mechanics, and foreman II.

If you are interested in any of these specific positions, contact Gloria C. Guevara-Vrabel at 973-378-6160 or e-mail her at www.gguevara@njtransit.com.  For more information go to NJ Transit's website at www.njtransit.com.

Helmets to Hardhats

The New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council's Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H) is designed to help transitioning military personnel, National Guardsmen and Reservists find the careers in the building and construction industry.  The program seeks to help military members find a career in one of 15 affiliated trades, such as electrical workers, carpenters and painters.

They work in cooperation with the national Helmets to Hardhats program, adding a personal component to the program's on-line services.  NJ H2H offers veterans preparation for successful application to any of New Jersey's registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades. Services include career counseling, entrance test preparation and referral to supportive services.

For program registration and information, visit online at www.njbctc.org/h2h or contact at 732-499-7295 or at H2H@njbctc.org.

For Your Calendar   

Pre-retirement seminars slated for AGR, technicians

From the desk of Lorraine Jamison, Human Resource Development Specialist

HRO is sponsoring two retirement seminars on Fort Dix at the JT2DC in August.  The technician pre-retirement planning seminar is Aug. 21-22. The AGR pre-retirement planning seminar is scheduled for Aug. 23.

These seminars are important step in planning for your future.  For more information, call Lorraine Jamison at 609-562-0874 or e-mail lorraine.jamison@us.army.mil.

Town Hall meeting for DMAVA scheduled for Sept. 6

Deputy Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, and retired Col. Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, will conduct a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 6, 2007 at 8 a.m.

At 8:45 a.m. retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Pierson and retired Col. Jay Lovas will brief employees on the COOP/COG, which is how the department would function in the event of a disaster. 

The Town Hall meeting and briefing will take place on the Drill Floor at the Lawrenceville Armory. Attendance for DMVA state employees is mandatory.

National Guard Appreciation Day at Jenkinson's on the Boardwalk

Jenkinson's on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, N.J., is hosting a New Jersey National Guard Appreciation Day on Sept. 3, at Jenkinson's Pier, open only to N.J. National Guard personnel (with IDs) and their immediate family.  Details will follow in a future issue.

First Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk

The First Annual Jack Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday Oct. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Twp, N.J.

Registration will be held from 6:30 to 8 a.m., in building. 229 - the Base Gym.  Pre registration fee is $15 if postmarked by Oct. 10.  Race day fee will be $20. Please make checks payable to: 177 Fighter Wing Chief's Council and mail to:

MSG Frank G Heath, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234.

For an application or information contact Tech. Sgt. Erica Nelson at (609) 645-6224 or Master Sgt. Frank Heath at (609) 645-6109 or frank.heath@njatla.ang.af.mil

Honorable Mention

TRICARE dental coverage; enroll today

From the office of J1-HRO

Did you know...Your patriotism ENTITLES you to dental coverage? The TRICARE dental program is affordable and comprehensive.

It's the ONLY dental insurance plan sponsored by the Department of Defense for:

v    National Guard and Reserve Members

v    National Guard and Reserve Family Members

v    Active Duty Family Members

Enroll today to claim the dental benefits you've earned and experience the service you and your family deserve.  Call 800-866-8499 or visit www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com for more information.

Pilot bonus program for Army to aid recruiting effort; reward helpers

From the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing Representative

Every Soldier a Recruiter (ESAR) is a pilot referral bonus program of the Active, Reserve and National Guard components of the Army that provides select Soldiers and retired members of the U.S. Army the opportunity to assist with recruiting efforts and rewards those efforts with referral bonuses up to $2,000.  For more information, contact NJARNG Marketing Representative Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308.

Discounts offered for State employees

Are you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?

Visit 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, please contact Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us or call 609-530-7056.

For the Families

Military Family Day at Six Flags on Aug. 27

Family Appreciation Day at Six Flags, Great Adventure, Jackson, will be held on Aug. 27.  The park opens at 10:30 a.m. and the discounted tickets cost $20 per person, children under 3 have free admittance.  Parking will cost $15 per car.

Tickets include all the rides and the safari.  Tickets can be purchased at JFHQ', Family Program's Office (see Marie or Amanda) or at any Family Assistance Center. For more information, please contact the Family Program Office at marie.durling@nj.ngb.army.mil or amanda.balas@us.army.mil. This is a one-day ticket only, not a season pass.  This offer is available to all New Jersey National Guard soldiers, airmen and DMAVA State and Federal civilian employees.

Job assistance for military spouses, retirees, injured military

From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist

Re/Max in conjunction with the US Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Initiative launched Operation Re/Max in 2006 to help mentor interested military members and their family members in a career in real estate.  Interested military spouses, retirees and injured soldiers can obtain detailed Operation Re/Max information at http://www.remax.com/inside_remax/become_an_agent/new_to_ real_estate/index.aspx or contact operation remax@remax.net or 1-800-826-7720.

Youth trip to Camp May Zoo, lighthouse on Aug. 23

Family Programs is conducting a youth trip to Cape May zoo and lighthouse on Aug. 23 for youths, ages 8-15.  Cost is $5 per child for the T-shirts

The Family Programs staff is renting a charter bus for the day and taking 35 children and 10 staff members as chaperones.  There will be two pick-up and drop-off points - Fort Dix Reserve Center on Route 68 at 7:15 a.m./5:15 p.m. and the Hammonton Armory at 8:30 a.m./4:30 p.m.

Reservations can be made by calling Amanda Balas, State Youth Coordinator, at 609-562-0742 or by e-mail at Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. They will be taken on a first come, first serve basis and children of deployed service members have priority.

Sports and Entertainment

Trenton Vets Center, Trenton Thunder offer "cheap" seats

The Trenton Vet Center with support from their community partner, Trenton Thunder Baseball, will sponsor baseball tickets at a special rate for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated, and retired veterans.  A regular $10 season ticket will be offered at $7 for veterans and family members.  The primary purpose of the program is to allow veterans and their families an opportunity to experience Trenton Thunder baseball due to their service and sacrifice for our country.  If you have questions, call Matt Petima, director of ticket operations for the Trenton Thunder at 609-394-3300, ext 1200 or the ticket box office at 609-394-3300.

Proof of Veteran Status:  Interested veterans must have a picture I.D. and provide proof of their veteran status by showing one of the following documents:  Military I.D. card; Federal Department of Veteran Affairs medical I.D. card; DD Form 214.

ESGR Golf tourney on Sept. 18

From the desk of Hank Pierre, NJ ESGR

The NJ Friends of the Guard and Reserve is proud to present the 2007 State Chairman's Annual Golf Outing.  The golf outing will be held on Sept.18, at the Miry Run Country Club in Robbinsville, N.J.  The rain date is Sept. 25.  The $95 per golfer registration fee includes greens fees, cart, registration, continental breakfast, food and beverages on the course, door prizes and a buffet luncheon at the golf club.  Corporate, hole and cart sponsors are also being sought.  All proceeds to benefit the activities of the NJ Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.  For additional information please contact Hank Pierre at 609-562-0156 or Tammy Cartagena at 609-562-0157. 

Dave Savino Golf Tournament to be held Sept, 17

The 11th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 17 at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Ft. Dix.   Shotgun start is at 8 a.m., with a two-person scramble (best ball).  Cost to play is $85 per person, with checks made payable to "Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Fund."  Call Senior Master Sgt. Mike Balas at 609-330-4069 or Connie Cisek at 609-562-0901 for more information.  Proceeds from the tournament go to help fellow Guardsmen in need.

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 Guard member 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.

Scholarship, Education News

Scholarships for OIF/OEF veterans

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is offering scholarships to combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. It offers a scholarship of up to $1,250 per year for person pursuing a BA/BS degree. You must have an honorable service record and a 2.0 GPA.

The deadline for applying is Sept. 28, 2007. Contact: www.horatioalger.org.

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.  Logon to::

www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0

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.

American Legion offers scholarships, booklet on their Web site

The American Legion has scholarship information on their Web site - www.legion.org - including the 152-page booklet, Need a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, family members and the American Legion family.  When you get on the site, click on "Scholarship Information" in the "Useful Links" block.

Association News

NGANJ group life insurance available to members

Are you covered by the NGANJ Group Life Insurance Program?  As a member of either the Officers or the Enlisted Association, you are entitled to enroll in your Association Life Insurance Program.  This special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000 of Life Insurance for you, "round the clock".  Premiums range from as little as $2 per month and may be payroll-deducted from your drill check.  Family coverage is also available at low rates designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  Think of it!!  No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty restrictions...No war clauses.No checks to write.  Dependent coverage includes spouses and all children.  Information can be obtained by contacting retired CWO Jack Petrosilli at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S. Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004.  Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator at 732-249-8335.

Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey

The Enlisted Association is seeking members to help give our state a larger voice.  The Association speaks on legislative issues that benefit military members and families. The association works 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.

Enlisted Association of NGNJ Conference slated for Oct. 5-7

The 34th annual conference of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey will be held at the Radisson Hotel, Valley Forge, Penn., Oct. 5-7.

Proceeds from this weekend event are spent directly on our membership.  It is a nice feeling to know that for every 50/50 ticket and Chinese Auction ticket you buy helps fund the scholarship program allows junior enlisted to attend the National Conference and supports legislative actions for benefits and so much more. 

Friday night features "The American Game Show Challenge," which is a series of fun trivia contests and physical challenges.

Saturday is back to business with a business meeting and elections for the executive council.  The new Junior Enlisted Team is sponsoring the Chinese Auction.  Local attractions are abundant; register for trips to Valley Forge and/or Longwood Gardens.  Saturday Night wraps up our conference with our customary formal Military Ball. 

There are several package plans to fit your particular needs.  If you have any questions, call retired Sgt. Maj. Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or e-mail at jcptfalc@aol.com or Co-Chairman retired Sgt. Maj. Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972 or e-mail at esgtmaj@comcast.net.  Visit the association's web site at www.eang-nj.org/conference_2007.pdf for additional information, updates and applications. 

NGANJ's calendar for members in 2007

The National Guard Association of New Jersey will be conducting the following event.  All members (active and retirees) are encouraged to participate:

§       National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico from August 25-27, 2007.  The New Jersey delegation will be staying at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport).  Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great pool for the family and is located close to the convention center (10 minutes).  We have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis.  Additional information and registration forms will be coming out shortly.  If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose Maldonado.

§       NGANJ Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ website.  If you need copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional information, please go to the website at:  www.nganj.org.

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:

 

September 12, 13*, 14

Livingston Mall

October 2, 3, 4

Deptford Mall

October 30*, 31, November 1

Brunswick Square Mall

November 27, 28, 29

Quaker Bridge 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., July-Sept.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oct. and Nov.

N.J. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center's upcoming events:

 =================

Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

   
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