As you read this more than 3,000 New Jersey Citizen-Soldiers have begun a deployment that a year from now will bring them back home as the state’s newest veterans. They will join you in the tradition of service to state and nations that makes veterans so important to the American way of life.

This deployment of the New Jersey Army National Guard will have the sons and daughters of New Jersey arriving in Iraq to fight the Global War of Terrorism this fall after mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

I know all veterans and service organizations across the state will rally to support these troops and their families. These home front heroes, the spouses and children, the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, will all be looking at the community to stand behind them during this yearlong deployment.

This is an historic event in this state's military history, as it will be the largest mobilization of the New Jersey National Guard since World War II.

Speaking of World War II, I am happy to note that our vets from the Greatest Generation will finally have a memorial to call their own this fall. I can look from the windows of the State House and see the progress being made to create the World War II Memorial which we hope will be ready by Veterans Day this year.

Even though the construction has started we need to continue the fund raising efforts for the World War II Memorial. This lasting tribute still needs the financial support of every veteran and citizen of this state.

May all of you have a safe and healthy summer and I look forward to seeing everyone on Veterans Day.

Legion donates $20K

American Legion Post 390 of Denville members (lr) Tony Ramirez, Dan Daley, Commander Bob Swenson, Jim Vialard and Richie Fritschie present retired Col. Stephen Abel (third from right) two $10,000 checks one for the New Jersey World War II Memorial and the other for the New Jersey National Guard Family Readiness Group. Photo courtesy American Legion Post 390.