Governor James E. McGreevey (right) and the Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General (left), along with members of the Gold Star Mothers at the 2003 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

New Jersey will never forget the sacrifices of the more than 615,000 of our state’s veterans who answered the call to duty. American servicemen have done more to spread the ideals of freedom across the globe in the last century than anyone, in any time, in all of human history.

I am happy to report that – despite unprecedented budget shortfalls – not a single state veterans program or service has been affected, let alone cut. This administration remains committed to ensuring the best possible quality of life for New Jersey’s veterans. We are doing all we can to support your needs.

We are hard at work hiring nurse recruiters to help increase the staff at the state’s hospitals, institutions and veterans’ homes. I am especially pleased at the success of our Comprehensive Nursing Shortage Task Force. Comprised of public and private sector experts, this task force identified strategies to actively address New Jersey’s nursing shortage. They have already made recommendations to attain and retain quality health care professionals for our three Veterans Nursing Homes. Last year, the Task Force submitted its report and shortly thereafter, implementation of their recommendations began in earnest, with $250,000 earmarked to support some of these initiatives. Earlier this summer, I directed The Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth to implement more of their proposals so we can hire the nurses necessary to open the Old Glory Wing at the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home.

Also, through a growing partnership with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, medical services have been made more accessible at New Jersey’s ten DVA outpatient clinics. This cooperation between federal and state agencies has proven to be a great success and an invaluable benefit to many New Jersey veterans and their families. In July 2003, we completed a $5.2 million improvement project at the General Doyle Cemetery.

I am proud to say that we have broken ground on a state-of-the-art expanded facility at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland. This $52.4 million-dollar improvement project will provide South Jersey vets with the best possible long-term residential care. The new, 300-bed facility will consist of 240 long-term care beds, a 32-bed special needs unit and a 28-bed assisted living unit. The assisted living facility will be the first of its kind, within a state veterans nursing home, in the entire nation. Construction began on the site earlier this year. By the spring of 2005, we will begin to move residents into the new home and demolish the remaining, obsolete buildings.

Throughout my career, I have always been an unwavering advocate for the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our nation. As the son of a Marine Corps Drill instructor, and as the namesake of my uncle who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroic action at Iwo Jima, I recognize our moral obligation to serve our veteran community.

Once again, thank you for your service to our State and Nation. Your courage has provided peace and prosperity to America, as well as millions around the globe. As Governor, I pledge my administration will continue to work tirelessly and demand the best for New Jersey’s veterans.

With all good wishes,
James E. McGreevey