DMVA
Weekly Highlights
18
April 2003
Joint
Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith
DMVA
Highlights Celebrates its First Anniversary with a new look.
It's been a year since the first issue of DMVA Highlights
was published. During the past year, we've attempted to keep
you informed about the numerous and varied activities of our
Department. We hope you've found your weekly editions informative
and interesting, and we thank you for your input, comments
and suggestions. It is always good to hear from you.
State
Offices are Closed on Friday, 18 April 2003.
In observance of the Good Friday holiday, all State offices
will be closed on Friday, 18 April 2003. Federal offices will
remain open.
The
2003 National Guard Association of NJ's Annual Conference
will be held next weekend.
Plans are under way for this year's conference, which is being
held in Wildwood, New Jersey on the weekend of 25-27 April
2003. The latest conference bulletin containing an agenda,
activities information, and directions can be found on the
web at http://www.nganj.org.
The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Approves BG William C. Doyle
Cemetery Grant.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony Principi, in a letter
to the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, COL Emil H.
Philibosian, announced the awarding of an $80,000 grant to
the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The funds
will be used to upgrade the committal plaza, which is adjacent
to the existing chapel. This upgrade will allow the cemetery
to conduct committal services for large funerals. The project
also includes construction of a sidewalk along the circular
road that runs behind the chapel.
The 108th Air Refueling Wing's Medical Squadron Received an
Overall Excellent Rating.
Following an inspection on 12-13 April 2003, the 108th's Medical
Squadron was rated overall Excellent. Three major categories
were inspected: Ex Medical Operations, In Garrison Medical
Operations, and Leadership. At the "element" level,
the inspection team once again gave the 108th an overall Excellent
rating.
The
Veterans Administration (VA) is Preparing for the Post Deployment
Era.
According to Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony
J. Principi, when troops begin to return home from the Middle
East, they will benefit from a wide array of programs and
services not available to veterans of previous conflicts -
"We will be on the alert for environmental exposures
and other unforeseen risks to the health of our service personnel."
Since 1998, the VA has had the authority to provide free medical
care for veterans newly returned from a combat zone, even
without a service-connected disability. That eligibility lasts
for two years after a veteran leaves active duty; although
anyone with medical problems related to medical service can
qualify for life-long VA health care. He also cited the development
by VA and the Department of Defense of standardized guidelines
for physicians examining military personnel after deployment,
and the establishment by VA of War-Related Illness Centers
in Washington and East Orange, New Jersey.
The National Guard Association of New Jersey (NGANJ) Schedules
its 15th Annual Golf Tournament.
The NGANJ's 15th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday,
9 June 2003, at the Falcon Creek Golf Course, McGuire Air
Force Base, New Jersey. Cost is $85 per person, and reservations
are limited to the first 144 players! All proceeds will benefit
the NGANJ's Scholarship Fund. Visit the NGANJ website: http://www.nganj.org/nganj_golf.html
for further details and a registration form.
Vietnam Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are Scheduled.
29
Apr - 11 a.m. |
Vietnam
Service Medal |
National
Guard Armory
Somerset, NJ |
3
May - 12 p.m.
|
Vietnam
Service Medal |
Naval
Air Station
Wildwood
Cape May Airport
Cape May, NJ |
DMVA
Celebrates Unity Day on 13 June 2003.
The Adjutant General has declared 13 June as Unity Day. This
year's event will include a chili cookoff (if you have a family
recipe, please join in), cultural displays, and ethnic foods.
There will also be a 5K walk/run with participants receiving
t-shirts. MSgt Kathy McCready will be providing additional
details in future weeks.
Armory Happenings - Look to see what's happening at an Armory
near you.
19
Apr |
Wrestling |
Cherry
Hill Armory |
28
Apr - 7 May |
Carpet
& Furniture Show |
Morristown
Armory |
2
May |
Dog
Show |
Riverdale
Armory |
10
May |
Boxing |
Jersey
City Armory |
|
Arts
Festival |
Lawrenceville
Armory |
|
Bagpipe
& Brass Band Show |
Teaneck
Armory |
17
May |
Computer
Show |
Teaneck
Armory |
24
May |
Martial
Arts Tournament |
Toms
River Armory |
31
May |
Table
Tennis Tournament |
Westfield
Armory |
The
Office of the G1 is preparing to support a Soldier Readiness
Processing (SRP).
During the week of 21-24 April, an SRP will be held to screen
and identify soldiers who will be performing security at our
New Jersey Army Posts as part of Operation Noble Eagle III.
DMVA
Represented at the NJ Conference of Mayors.
The NJ Conference of Mayors held their 40th Anniversary Conference
and Exposition at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City on 10-11
April 2003. Governor James E. McGreevey was the keynote speaker
at Thursday's opening luncheon. To foster awareness of the
Department's mission, the DMVA Office of Government Relations,
the NJ National Guard Recruiting Office, and the Committee
for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve had well-received
exhibition booths.
OMS
7 in Dover, New Jersey, Recognized for Excellence.
BG Thomas Sullivan presented CW3 John E. Laner and the OMS
7 with the Department of the Army's fifth place award for
their participation in the nationwide Army Maintenance Excellence
competition. OMS 7 is also the current winner of the Northeast
Region for Maintenance Excellence. Congratulations to CW3
Laner and his force of full-time and traditional drilling
Guardsmen for a job well done!
NJ
Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center
Announces Upcoming Calendar of Events.
26
April |
1:00
pm |
Thirteen
Months, Thirteen Stories, One Tour |
7
May |
11:00
am |
Remembrance
Day Ceremony |
10
May |
1:00
pm |
Not
at Ease: Photographs of America's Continuing Engagement
with the Vietnam War |
26
May |
11:00
am |
Memorial
Day Ceremony |
14
June |
1:00
pm |
Unknown
Soldier |
27
July |
9:00
am |
5th
Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show |
10
Aug |
9:00
am |
Rain
Date for 5th Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show |
Do
you know who your IMO is?
Every site, directorate, or office is required to provide
an individual designated as an Information Management Officer
or IMO. This individual serves as a first responder to Information
Technology issues at their site and serves as the conduit
to the Customer Support Center (G6). The requirements for
the additional duty is to be able to perform relatively simple
troubleshooting tasks, such as checking to see if equipment
is powered on, whether any cables are loose, or if an issue
is with a single workstation or multiple workstations at a
site. These tasks enable our support staff to determine the
scope of the problem and where to direct it for the fastest
resolution. They are also issued an IMO Handbook, which has
instructions on how to set up personal folders, e-mail accounts,
and other tasks. In recent weeks, it has become obvious that
due to many of the personnel moves that have taken place,
our list needs updating. At this time, we request that you
please submit any changes and/or updates to the Customer Support
Center at (609) 530-6899, fax (609) 530-7053, or email to
NJCustomerCenter@nj.ngb.army.mil.
NJARNG Federally recognizes three new Warrant Officer Aviation
Candidates.
Aviation is on the move again with the selection of three
new WOCs for Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) school. CW5
Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer, and COL Paul Ciervo,
State Army Aviation Officer, jointly announced the first three
WOC accessions resulting from a recent order of merit list
(OML) board selection process. These individuals are: from
SGT/E5 to WOC James M. Green; from SPC/E4 to WOC Guinevere
R. McSulla, and from SGT/E5 to CWO Jonathan M. Sodomin. Congratulations!
Force
Protection Reminder.
With everyone's focus on the War in Iraq, several significant
dates are coming up that we must remain cognizant of. Historically,
terrorist groups have used anniversary dates of significant
events to conduct operations. Please be alert to the following
dates and remain vigilant.
19 Apr 1993 End of Branch Davidian
Siege
19 Apr 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing
20 Apr 1889 Adolf Hitler's Birthday
20 Apr 1999 Columbine High School Massacre
28 Apr 1937 Saddam Hussein's Birthday
Be observant in your daily activities and report any unusual
or suspicious activity to your local Security Office.
"Take
Your Son/Daughter to Work Day"
DMVA will celebrate this special day on Thursday, 24 April
2003. Highlights of the day will include a visit and tour
of the Aviation Flight Facility at Mercer Airport and the
Training and Training Technology Battle Lab at Fort Dix. Please
contact the Affirmative Action Office at 609-530-6749 if your
child will participate.
DMVA
appears before the NJ Assembly Budget Committee.
On 15 April 2003, The Adjutant General (TAG) testified before
the New Jersey Assembly Budget Committee regarding the Department's
2004 budget. BG Rieth opened the session with his written
remarks, and then proceeded to report on the Global War on
Terrorism and our efforts in Homeland Security and Defense.
Subsequent to his testimony, TAG opened the floor to questions
from the Committee. Questions ranged from Homeland Security
to programs for Homeless Veterans. After almost two hours
of testimony and questions dialogue, the Department walked
away with a feeling of accomplishment and good dissemination
of Departmental information.
Getting
to know New Jersey - The State Tree
The official state tree is the red oak Quercus rubra (formerly
known as Quercus borealis maxima). The red oak was authorized
by a joint resolution signed by Governor Alfred E. Driscoll
on June 13, 1950. The state memorial tree is the dogwood,
Cornus florida, authorized by Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 2 of 1951.
Interesting but useless facts
- The
starfish is the only animal that can turn their stomach
inside out.
-
Flamingos turn pink from eating shrimp.
- Emus
and kangaroos cannot walk backwards.
- Beavers
can hold their breath for 45 minutes.
|