2 May 2003

Volume 2, Number 3

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth
The Adjutant General

COL Maria F. Morgan
Deputy Adjutant General

COL Emil H. Philibosian
Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith
Office of the
Joint Chief of Staff

Mrs. Laura A. Branham
Phone: (609) 530-6987
Fax: (609) 530-7109
Email: branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

Thought

for the Day.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

.Mahatma Gandhi

NJ Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day

Ceremony

Wednesday, 7 May 03

11:00 a.m.

NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Vietnam

Era Education Center

Holmdel, New Jersey

DON'T FORGET!

WE HAVE A NEW NUMBER..

State Help Desk

609-530-7177

In appreciation for the military, the organizers for National Military Appreciation Month are asking Americans to display the American flag and the POW/MIA flag from May 1 through Flag Day on June 14.  The month of May was proclaimed National Military Appreciation Month by a Congressional resolution in 1999.  The month honors and remembers those who gave their lives in defense of the nation's freedom, and honors those Americans who have served their country, and the men and women now serving in uniform on active duty, in the National Guard and Reserve and all of their families.  More than 80 million Americans have served in uniform in more than 225 years of American history.

National Guard Week will be celebrated 11-17 May 2003.  The focus of activity of the weeklong tribute will culminate on Thursday, May 15 with National Guard Day at the State House campus on West State Street.  Static equipment displays will be available for review by members of the NJ National Guard, the public and state legislators from 10 am - 2 pm on the State House Plaza.  The official announcement proclaiming National Guard Day and National Guard Week will come from the Commander in Chief, Governor James E. McGreevey via Gubernatorial Proclamation to be signed on May 15th at the State House.  Scheduled to participate are:  50^th BDE, 42d DISCOM, 57^th TRP CMD, 254^th REG, T3BL, 108^th ARW, 177^th FW, ESGR, Homeland Security, Det 4 Recruiting and Retention, Det 5 Medical Clinic, Family Support, Counterdrug, NJ Challenge, NJ National Guard Militia Museum, 63^rd Army Band, Veterans Health Services, Veterans Services Offices, Cemeteries and Memorials.

On Tuesday, 29 April 2003, BG Thomas J. Sullivan presented 133 veterans with the Vietnam Service Medal in a ceremony attended by approximately 400 people.  The ceremony was hosted by HQ 42^nd DISCOM.  MAJ Mark Piterski, full-time Support Supervisor, welcomed the veterans to the Somerset Armory and MAJ Piterski and MAJ David Majury assisted BG Sullivan with the presentation of medals.  CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly was the emcee.

The names have changed, but the service won't.  Effective 1 May 2003, the former Information and Administrative Services Division (IASD) will become the G6 for the federal staff, and the Fiscal, Information and Administrative Services Division (FIASD) for the state staff.  Personnel from the original directorate will be realigned along pure state and federal lines to support state and federal missions.  On or about 1 July 2003, the federal personnel will relocate to Fort Dix and consolidate with the Army Guard staff there.  The Help Desk will still be where our workers get their Information Technology support.  The two organizations will work together to pass the requests to the appropriate state or federal office for support.

On 21 April, US Airways introduced "Salute Savings," a discount program for U.S. military, with special fares as low as $79 each way, based on roundtrip purchase.  "Salute Savings" rates are available to active and reserve military and their immediate families through government-contracted commercial travel offices throughout the U.S.  The fares are valid for tickets purchased through December 31, 2003 for travel completed by February 12, 2004. 

Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth appeared before the NJ Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, 30 April 2003, and testified on the Governor's FY 04 State Budget recommendation for DMVA.  He spoke of the Department's initiatives, FY 03 accomplishments, and publicly acknowledged the outstanding soldiers, airmen, and civilian (state and federal) employees of DMVA.  BG Rieth assured the Senators that the FY 04 budget is absolutely sufficient to operate all of DMVA's Veteran's Programs, and adequate in support of the National Guard.  Following his remarks, the assembled Senators asked specific questions of TAG that were both candidly and completely answered to their acknowledged satisfaction.  The annual Budget Hearings are part of New Jersey's formal process to ensure that State government balances its budget as is required by law.

The DMVA Customer Support Center staff for State Employee (IT) information technology has relocated effective 1200 hours, 1 May 2003.  All Help Desk assistance requests from state employees for computer repair, computer equipment, and computer related support must be reported using the new State Customer Service Support Center telephone number (609) 530-7177.  Please note if you logon to your machine using the "DMAVAHQLAW" Domain you are a state network user.

Beginning Memorial Day, access to the National Guard Training Center Beach at Sea Girt will be permitted with a valid Military and/or DMVA identification card.  Additionally, beach passes are available by contacting Ms. Jane Davis (IASD) at 609-530-6910 or the Training Center at 732-974-5951.

New Army Regulation 350-1, Army Training and Education, dated 9 April 2003 was officially released for implementation.   The new regulation consolidates and supersedes AR 350-1, AR 350-35, AR 350-41, and AR 351-1.  AR 350-1 prescribes policies, procedures, and responsibilities for developing, managing, and conducting Army training and education programs.  This document is located on the web at: http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r350_1.pdf. 

This year the NJESGR is planning to conduct its annual Bosslift at Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base on 30-31 July 2003.  Employers and supervisors will be given an opportunity to observe National Guard members on duty.  The Bosslift Program affords employers a better understanding of what their Reserve and Guard employees do when they are away from their civilian occupation for duty with their military units.  For additional information about this and other programs sponsored by the NJESGR, contact Brig Gen (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr. at 609-530-6952 or LTC (Ret) Richard Fox at 609-530-7020.

The state animal is the horse, Equus caballus, so designated in Chapter 173 of the Laws of 1977.  Governor Brendan T. Byrne signed the law on August 14, 1977, while attending the farm and horse show at Augusta, Sussex County.  Two students who had championed the horse as state animal, Michael J. McCarthy, of the fifth grade of Our Lady of Victories School, Harrington Park, and James R. Sweetman, Jr., of the eighth grade of Freehold Intermediate School, Freehold, were present at the bill signing.

J            Cats have over 100 vocal cords.

J            Camel's milk doesn't curdle.

J            All porcupines float in water.

J            A hummingbird weighs less than a penny.

J            A jellyfish is 95% water.