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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.

 

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