DMVA
Weekly Highlights
25 October 2002
Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith
Current DMVA Highlights
1.
VETERANS HAVEN HONORS ITS FOUNDER, THE LATE LTC (RET) STEVEN
WILFING.
2.
NEW JERSEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WOMEN VETERANS IS SPONSORING
A LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2002 AT McATEERS RESTAURANT.
3.
THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORTS THE COMBAT MANEUVER
TRAINING CENTER (CMTC).
4.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD’S
MEN’S TEAM FOR ITS THIRD PLACE FINISH IN THE ASSOCIATION
OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY’S “ARMY TEN MILER.”
5.
BG WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PLAYED HOST
TO THE NEW STATE COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION.
6.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE “RED RIBBON WEEK” ENHANCES
ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS.
7.
FLU SHOTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2002,
FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
8.
THE DIVISION OF VETERAN SERVICES HOSTS PRE-CONFERENCE PLANNING
MEETING.
9.
177th FIGHTER WING DEDICATES “SPIRIT OF BASS RIVER
TOWNSHIP F-16.”
10.
ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2003 NEW JERSEY STATE EMPLOYEES TAX SAVINGS
PROGRAM AND OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH
BENEFITS PROGRAM ENDS ON 31 OCTOBER 2002.
11.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MILITARY CHILDREN OPENS 1 NOVEMBER
2002.
12.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR -- DMVA’S HOLIDAY DINNER IS SCHEDULED
FOR FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2002.
13.
EASTERN STANDARD TIME BEGINS AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING.
14.
ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!
15.
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTINUES…
? Who was the shortest American president?
? Who was the tallest American president?
? Which president grew up as an orphan?
?
? ? ? ? ?
1. VETERANS HAVEN HONORS ITS FOUNDER,
THE LATE LTC (RET) STEVEN WILFING. On Thursday,
24 October 2002, LTC Steve Wilfing was memorialized at a
ceremony in front of the Transitional Housing Unit he established
for homeless veterans. LTC Wilfing’s son, Steven,
spoke on behalf of his mother, sister, and other family
members who were also in attendance. The Adjutant General
praised the important work that is being done at Veterans
Haven, and LTC Wayne Hunt shared thoughts on Steve Wilfing,
the man. Following the remarks, BG Glenn K. Rieth, with
the help of the Wilfing family, unveiled a red granite monument
that will forever record LTC Wilfing’s vision, which
has now become a reality.
2.
NEW JERSEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WOMEN VETERANS IS SPONSORING
A LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2002 AT McATEERS RESTAURANT.
The Committee welcomes women veterans of all service branches
and their guests to this luncheon. CW4 Judith McCabe will
be the keynote speaker, along with a “fashion show”
of women’s military uniforms from World War II to
the present.
3.
THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORTS THE COMBAT MANEUVER
TRAINING CENTER. In the first deployment of its kind for
a NJARNG aviation unit, 20 soldiers from New Jersey deployed
on 01 October 2002 to support aviation operations at the
Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in Hohenfels,Germany.
These soldiers, primarily from B Company, 1st Battalion,
126th Aviation Regiment stationed at AASF #2 in Picatinny
Arsenal, were gone for 21 days. While at CMTC, the New Jersey
Aircrews augmented the Ravens (Opposing Forces) and Falcons
(Observer Controllers), which are the aviation assets stationed
at CMTC. The Ravens and Falcons remain some of the last
units on active duty equipped with UH-1H “Huey”
helicopters, and are more and more reliant on National Guard
augmentation. The New Jersey aviators conducted aviation
operations, including night vision goggle, terrain flight
mission planning, terrain flight, terrain flight navigation,
maintenance, refueling, flight following, and logistics
throughout deployment. An intensive train-up occurred during
Annual Training 2002 and culminated with in-country qualification
upon their arrival. The soldiers, who are all volunteers,
executed their mission and safely returned home to New Jersey.
4.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD’S
MEN’S TEAM FOR ITS THIRD PLACE FINISH IN THE ASSOCIATION
OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY’S “ARMY TEN MILER.”
Over 20,000 runners from across the country participated
in this year’s race, which was held last weekend in
our nation’s capital. New Jersey’s winning team
was led by: SFC Alex Estrada, RTSM; MAJ Mark Piterski, 50th
MSB; SPC Anthony Christy, 2-102nd AR; and SSG Don Brandelli,
RTSM. Other members of the team were SPC Sean Chapman, 150th
Aviation; SPC Luis Gonzalez,RTSM; and CPT (P) Jemal Beale,
TAG-IG. Non-team members representing the NJ Guard were
CPT Tracy Norman, 50th MSB and CW4 Christopher Perron, 250th
FSB. Way to go!!!!
5.
BG WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PLAYED HOST
TO THE NEW STATE COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION. On Wednesday,
the Director of Veterans Services welcomed Billy Mack, the
American Legion’s new State Commander, and his staff
to the state’s Veterans Cemetery. Commander Mack and
his staff received briefings on the cemetery’s operations
and the ongoing expansion and improvement program followed
by a tour of the facility. The American Legion continues
to be a faithful supporter of the BG Doyle cemetery.
6.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE “RED RIBBON WEEK” ENHANCES
ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS. The Department of Defense will showcase
its anti-drug awareness and educational activities in American
neighborhoods and schools during the 12th annual “Red
Ribbon Week” at the Pentagon, October 21-23, 2002.
The purpose of this special week is to focus attention on
the destructive effects that drugs have on our nation. This
year’s theme is “Freedom is Drug Free: Plant
the Promise.”
7.
FLU SHOTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2002,
FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1 P.M. Staff from the Veterans Memorial
Home at Menlo Park will distribute the flu shots. We will
have a limited number of flu shots, and they will be available
on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested
in receiving a flu shot, please furnish your name and phone
number to Robin Spaulding, Director, Human Resources Division,
at robin.spaulding@njdmava.state.nj.us not later than 6
November 2002.
8.
THE DIVISION OF VETERAN SERVICES HOSTS PRE-CONFERENCE PLANNING
MEETING. The Executive Committee of the Association of State
Cemetery Directors meet this week in Atlantic City. During
the two-day marathon meeting, they were able to set the
agenda and make arrangements for their upcoming 2003 Training
Conference. The Division of Veterans Services will host
the Veterans Administration’s States Cemetery Grants
Office sponsored conference which will also be held in Atlantic
City this coming September. The goal of the conference is
to find ways to “Better Serve Those Who Served.”
9.
177th FIGHTER WING DEDICATES “SPIRIT OF BASS RIVER
TOWNSHIP F-16 at 1000 hours on Wednesday, 23 October 2002
at the 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor
Township, NJ 08234. The aircraft dedication program symbolizes
the strong ties that exist between the Wing and its communities,
and the outstanding support those communities have shown
the unit. Many members of the 177th live in these communities
and, as citizen airmen, “We wish to use this opportunity
to reassert the important connection between the communities
from which we come and the missions we fulfill around the
world,” stated Colonel Michael Cosby, Commander 177th
Fighter Wing. “What better way to show our appreciation
than dedicating one of our aircraft which has been a time
honored tradition since the earliest days of aviation.”
10.
ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2003 NEW JERSEY STATE EMPLOYEES TAX SAVINGS
PROGRAM AND OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH
BENEFITS PROGRAM ENDS ON 31 OCTOBER 2002. Anyone who has
any questions or wishes to make any benefit changes, should
contact their Human Resources Division.
11.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MILITARY CHILDREN OPENS 1 NOVEMBER
2002. The 2003 Scholarship Program opens for business on
November 1st with the essay topic “How has being the
child of a military service member influenced your educational
goals?” The non-profit Fisher House Foundation, best
known for building family comfort homes near military medical
facilities, administers the Scholarships for Military Children
Program. The program has awarded 920 scholarships and nearly
$1.5 million in is first two years. Applications for the
2003 program can be downloaded from http://www.fisherhouse.org
starting November 1. They can also be picked up at any commissary.
The deadline for returning applications by hand or mail
to a commissary is February 21, 2003. The program is open
to unmarried children (under the age of 23) of active duty
personnel, Reserve, Guard, and retired military. All applicants
must be citizens of the United States and must be attending
or planning to attend an accredited college or university
full-time in the fall term of 2003.
12.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR….DMVA’S HOLIDAY DINNER IS
SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2002, on the Drill Floor
at Headquarters Building 3650, Fort Dix, New Jersey. Cocktails
– 6-7 p.m., Dinner/Dancing 7-11 p.m. Cost: $15.00
per person. Make your reservation early as the cost rises
to $20 after 29 November.
13.
EASTERN STANDARDTIME BEGINS AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING. Don’t
forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to
bed Saturday night.
14.
ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!
25-27
Oct Craft Show and Sale Morristown Armory
26 Oct Tool Show Dover Armory
26 Oct 5K Race for Breast Cancer (Fundraiser) Sea Girt Armory
27 Oct EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Sale Bordentown Armory
30 Oct – 3 Nov Antiques Show and Sale Morristown Armory
30 Oct – 3 Nov Tool Show Cherry Hill Armory
1-3 Nov Craft Show Westfield Armory
9 Nov Professional Wrestling Mt. Holly Armory
16 Nov Danger Zone Championship Wrestling Bordentown Armory
23 & 24 Nov EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown
Armory
1 Dec NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory
15 Dec EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown Armory
15.
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTINUES…
? Who was the shortest American president?
James Madison stood only 5’4”. He was probably
the lightest American
president in history. He weighed in at only a hundred pounds.
? Who was the tallest American president?
Easy one. Abraham Lincoln was 6’4”.
? Which president grew up as an orphan?
By the time he was nine years old, Herbert Hoover had lost
both parents.