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The New Jersey State Bar Association, through its Military Law and Veterans' Affairs Committee, in conjunction with McCarter & English, L.L.P. has established the Military Legal Assistance Program. This pro bono program provides assistance to New Jersey residents who have served overseas in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom as active duty members of reserve components of the armed forces after September 11, 2001.

Thousands of New Jersey residents serving in the armed forces reserves have been deployed overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. Many of them will be or have been adversely affected by reason of their status, change of status, or long deployment. Therefore, there is an anticipated need for legal assistance for these military personnel in civil matters.

The Military Legal Assistance Program has been created to assist such military personnel with their legal needs. The Program offers assistance in three areas: Family Law, Employment Law, Debtor-Creditor Law.

To be eligible for the program, an individual must:

1. be a New Jersey resident;
2. be a member of the reserve components of the armed forces (Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corp Reserve, etc.); and
3. have been called to active duty and deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001.

Eligible personnel should call 888-541-1900 to request assistance.

New Jersey Blood Donor Campaign – “Give the Gift of Life” this holiday season.  New Jersey is facing a severe chronic blood shortage that could affect our citizens.  In the past, New Jersey could always count on other states to help when blood supplies were low.  No more!  Other states are facing the same critical shortages and are unable to assist New Jersey during the 2006 holiday season.  New Jersey is embarking on an ambitious campaign by launching for the first time, a State Employee Blood Challenge on Dec. 7 at the Sovereign Bank Arena.  Our department’s Blood Challenge Liaison, Ernie Razzano, 609-530-6767, and our Blood Drive Coordinator, Mr. Jack Stoffa, 609-530-6855, will provide specifics by e-mail to all Department Employee Personnel, pertaining to the blood donation times on Dec. 7.

There will be a Holiday get together for spouses, parents and children of Soldiers currently deployed.  The event will take place on December 9, from 1-3 p.m., at Drumthwacket, the Official Residence of the Governor of New Jersey. Those interested in attending need to contact your FRG President as soon as possible and provide the names of those attending and the ages of any children.   There will be a Santa to give away little gift bags to all the children.  Deadline for submission of names of attendees is November 22.  For direction go to: www.drumthwacket.org

Ronnie Micciulla and the ARMS group will be packing boxes for our soldiers and are in need of help to pack and label the boxes so they can be shipped prior to the holidays.  We are looking for as many volunteers as possible to assist. Please come to the Toms River armory, 1200 Whitesville Road, Sunday, Nov. 19, noon to 4 p.m., for fun and work.  Lunch and child care will be provided.

The Combined Federal Campaign ends the last week of November.  It’s time to get those forms in if you are planning on contributing to any of the charities or services listed in the booklet.  Please give the completed forms to your local representative.  Make sure to keep the last copy for your records.  Thanks again for your help.  NJDMAVA’s contribution last year was $1,558.50 – we can do better this year.  We are off to a good start with the returns received for a total of $1,312.50 in donations and pledges thus far.

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.

The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council has expanded its Family Grants Program to include an additional grant.  There are now two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500 grant that has been in place for the past couple of years.  The TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive days.  Service members meeting these criteria are eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500.  Applications are available at all New Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.

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

Visit http://www.nj.gov/personnel/discounts/ 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.

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 

Fill Your Date Book

The 42nd Regional Support Group Family Readiness Group is having a “Mexican Fiesta” to raise funds.  The buffet lunch will be held at the Somerset Armory on Sunday, Nov. 19, form noon to 4 p.m.  Please RSVP by calling the armory at 732-937-6390 or e-mail john.a.hales@us.army.mil.

Do you have an AKO account?  Those Soldiers, family members and guests who have an Army Knowledge Online account can use the latest addition to the Web site: Slick Deals for Soldiers.  Here you can find deals to purchase calling cards and discounts on your phone services, discounts when purchasing a computer, free antivirus software for your computer, deals on car rentals and purchases, travel deals, theme park discounts and other coupons and discounts for Soldiers and their family members.  So the next time you log onto www.us.amy.mil to check your e-mail or find a regulation or one of the other many things available on AKO, stop by Slick Deals to see if you can find a good deal for your wallet.

ARE YOU COVERED? National Guard Association of New Jersey Group Life Insurance Program entitles members of either the Officers` or the Enlisted Association to enroll in the 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 for spouses and all children is also available at low rates designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  There are no aviation exclusions, no hazardous duty restrictions, no war clauses and no checks to write.  Information can be obtained by contacting retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 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.

The New Jersey State Employees Charitable Campaign (ECC) has officially kicked off its 2006/2007 Campaign which will run until Nov. 24.

The ECC provides each of us with an annual opportunity to voluntarily help others and ourselves by donating to any of the more than 1,400 participating agencies and organizations listed in the ECC Code Book.  Contributions may be made by payroll deductions each year or by cash, or check.

Over the years, our Department has been most successful in this endeavor because of your personal generosity and concern.  We urge every employee to support this worthy cause.  Code Books and payroll deduction forms will be going out to all full time state employees.

This year’s ECC Coordinator for the State’s Employees Charitable Campaign is Walter Nall, of the DMAVA-HRO Office.  For more information, please contact him at 609-530-6841.  You may also access information on line at www.njsecc.org.

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.

You are to provide the date, time and name of the visitor in advance whenever possible, also the DMAVA employee they are visiting and/or meeting they are attending. The Guard will issue a visitors parking permit. 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.

The Enlisted Association of New Jersey has added to their Web Page a new feature called “On-GUARD Business Registry,” designed to list businesses owned by current or former National Guard members, and the goods and services they offer.  If you are a current or former member of the New Jersey Army or Air National Guard, this is a great cost-effective opportunity for your business to reach your fellow National Guard members.  Just go to the Web site: www.eang-nj.org and fill out your application today.

The New Jersey Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.  They perform inland search and rescue missions, aerial reconnaissance for homeland security and disaster relief missions.  CAP has an active cadet program and aerospace education program for young people.  All of the members are unpaid volunteers and must purchase their own uniforms, although CAP does try to provide uniforms for their cadet members without charge to them.

CAP is looking for donations of BDUs (woodland pattern) in wearable condition for use by their members.  They can use pants, shirts, field jackets and caps.  They will also accept Air Force Service Dress uniforms for cadet’s use.

If you have uniforms to donate, please contact Maj. Rick Ulmer, (732)364-7755 or e-mail: caplawyer123@comcast.net.  He will make arrangements for pick-up.

Does your shopping list have either a U.S. Flag or New Jersey flag on it?  One good piece of news – the sales tax hike does not affect that purchase; in fact purchase of either flag is TAX FREE in New Jersey.  Please visit the following web page to check out the particulars: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?flag.htm.

If you are an Army Soldier or DA civilian, you can access more than 2,600 information technology, business, self-development and 30 foreign language courses for FREE through Army e-Learning.  Visit www.us.army.mil and select “my education.”  In Fiscal Year 2006, almost a quarter million courses were completed.  Some of the top 10 courses of the month for July were: Rosetta Stone Spanish and Arabic, Windows XP: Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals and Encryption Technologies.

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

Are you looking for an affordable vacation spot?  The Armed Forces Recreation Center has resorts around the world for members of the Armed Forces, their families and other members of the Total Defense Force.  Room rates are based on rank, pay grade, duty status, room size and/or room location. Reservations are required, policies vary by location and guests may not stay more than 30 consecutive days or register again within the following 90-day period.  But if you are thinking of Hawaii, Germany, South Korea or Orlando as a possible vacation destination, this just may be the ticket!  Visit http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/  for more information.

The Joint Training and Development Center (JT2DC) recently unveiled the Memorial Walkway to the center.  The purpose of the pond and walkway are to serve as a reminder that there are Soldiers in harm’s way protecting the freedoms that we all cherish and enjoy.

The concept of the Memorial Walkway was to have Soldiers create a mark by dedicating inscribed bricks.  Soldiers have chosen to honor loved ones, family members, friends, and personnel with whom they served.

Anyone interested in purchasing an engraved paver for $50, can contact Command Sgt. Major Timothy Maskery at (609) 562-0539.

Membership
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.

Conference
The Enlisted Association invites you to the Annual Conference at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Atlantic City West, October 6-8, 2006, to Honor and Salute our Airmen and Soldiers who supported the War on Terrorism. Saturday during the Military Ball will be our way to say thank you for their dedication and sacrifices that they and their families shared. Friday night will feature a Hawaiian luau with a show and an Army and Air challenge. Our mission is to have fun. Visit our web site EANG-NJ.org, click on EANG-NJ Conference to find out more. Thank you for your support. You can reach the membership chairman Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or jcptfalc@aol.com or co-chairman Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972 or esgtmaj@comcast.net.

For the Families

The Guard Family Action Plan (GFAP) identifies issues of concern to Guard members, spouses, parents, children, retirees and civilian employees.  The GFAP determines actions necessary to resolve issues and assigns responsibility for actions to the proper staff agency. 

The proper staff agency begins at unit level within the chain of command and can include the Departments of the Army and Air Force and the Congress of the United States.  You can submit an issue along with your recommendation for a solution through the GFAP website at www.gfap.org. If you have any questions, you can call Marie Durling in the State Family Programs Office at 609-562-0739.

Family Programs on the calendar

Bordentown Armory – B Co 250th SBF & Co D 250th BSB – Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Hammonton Armory – 119th SB Corps –
Jersey City Armory – D Co 2-113th –
Lawrenceville Armory – 50th PSB –.; 50th Fin Bn –
Morristown Armory – 3-112th & 5/117th –
Newark Armory – A, B, E Co’s 2-113th Inf – Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
Port Murray Armory – 2-102nd Arm –
Teaneck Armory – 50th SBM – Dec. 21, 7 p.m.
Toms River Armory – C/3-112th FA –
Vineland Armory – 5/117th Cav –
West Orange Armory – B Co 5/117th Cav –
Woodbury Armory – Trp C 5.117th Cav –

Recreation and Sports

Anheuser Busch has announced its program offering free amusement park tickets to the service members and their families has become so popular it will be extended another year. The "Here's to the Heroes," is open to active duty service members, active members of the National Guard or Reserve, and up to three direct dependents for one complimentary admission per year. Participants can go online to fill out a form for free admission at http://www.herosalute.com/.

The amusement parks participating in the program are: Sea World  parks in Orlando, Florida; San Diego and San Antonio;  Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia; Sesame Place, a children's play and water park, near Philadelphia; Adventure Island water park in Tampa; and Water Country USA water park in Williamsburg. 

Operation Oasis Outreach at Sandy Cove, North East, Md., offers a free, 3-day, 2-night time for rest and relaxation for military personnel who were deployed to the Middle East area during OIF/OEF with their spouse and children.  Sandy Cover is located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.  If you are interested, contact Carol Lee Lynch: toll free 1-800-287-4843 or e-mail c.lynch@sandycove.org.

Scholarship News

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.

Veterans Information

The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey.  The schedule is as follows:

The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the identified dates.

StandDown helps the state’s homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets by providing a broad range of necessities, including food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling, and referrals, but most importantly, companionship and camaraderie.

We are looking for committee members to initiate the start up operation of Stand Down in the Central Jersey area.  Membership is open to Veterans and volunteers over the age of 18 who are willing and able to give of their time, efforts and resources in assisting programs for homeless veterans. 

If you are interested in becoming a committee member, you may contact Patricia Richter at 609-530-6949.

Veterans having questions about recent incidents involving VA computers and personal information may call 1-800-333-4636 or (1-800-FED-INFO).

Ocean County veterans now have a place to get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling.  Once a week, counselors from the Trenton Vet Center will offer office hours at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, 1027 Hooper Ave, Building 2, Toms River.

To schedule an appointment, call 732-929-2096.

Ocean County, with the state’s largest concentration of veterans, signed an agreement with the Vets Center, an arm of the Veterans Administration recently. 

John Dorrity, director of the Ocean County Veterans Bureau said that he has a waiting list of veterans who will participate in the counseling. He added that they will start off with once a week, but will possibly increase sessions if the need arises.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 30 / 6 p.m. 4th Annual "Salute to Patriotism" Gala, with special guest Governor Jon S. Corzine; honoring veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  Tickets required. (click here for more information:http://www.njvvmf.org/pdf/galasponsorlevels.pdf)

Dec. 2 / 1 p.m. "The Day It Snowed in Vietnam," poetry reading and discussion by the poet, Vietnam Veteran Jim Scheuckler.

Dec. 9 / 6 p.m. Holiday Lighting ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033.  A donation of $5 per person is suggested.  The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Regular admission is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel.  Regular adult admission is $4; student and senior citizen admission is $2; and children under 10 are admitted free.

For more information, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033 or (800) 648-VETS.  The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116. 

Located at 934 Parkway Ave, 2nd Floor, Ewing, N.J., the Department of Veteran Affairs, Trenton Vet Center, provides free readjustment counseling services to combat zone veterans and their families.

The Vet Center services include:

· Individual readjustment counseling
· Group readjustment counseling
· Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Counseling for PTSD
· Substance Abuse counseling
· Marital and family counseling
· Sexual Trauma counseling    
· Community education and liaison
· Referral for benefits assistance
· Employment Assistance

Heading the Trenton Vet Center Staff is James Gordon, team leader.  Other staff at the center to help veterans and their families are Jeanne Morrison, Master Social Worker, Rawle Gaskin, Readjustment Counseling Therapist, Darryll Johnson, Readjustment Counseling Technician and Burnice Rice, Trenton Vet Center Office Manager.

The center is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday extended hours by appointment only.

All services provided to veterans and their families are at no cost and clients’ rights are protected by HIPPA.  For more information call (609) 882-5744.

The New Jersey Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program has several part-time employment opportunities immediately available across the state for TDGs and Technicians.  Earn one day’s base pay and one retirement point for a few hours work providing Military Funeral Honors for our Veterans.  If you are interested, please contact SGM Edward Goetschius, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, at 609-530-7090 or by e-mail at Edward.goetschius@nj.ngb.army.mil.

Nov. 17 – Take a Hike Day
Nov. 18 - Occult Day
Nov. 19 – Have a Bad Day Day
Nov. 20 - Absurdity Day
Nov. 21 – World Hello Day, False Confessions Day
Nov. 22 – Start Your Country Day
Nov. 23 – National Cashew Day, Thanksgiving

Interesting Items about actors and actresses:

• - Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine are brother and sister.
• - Jean Harlow was the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine.
• - Telly Savalas and Louis Armstrong died on their birthdays.
• - Lucy Ricardo's maiden name was McGillicudy.
• - Lenny Kravitz's mother played the part of "Helen" on "The Jeffersons."