New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

3 October 2003

  Volume 2, Number 25

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria Falca-Dodson

Deputy Adjutant General

COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

 

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think."

.Benjamin Disraeli

 

Hispanic Food featured in DMVA Cafeteria

8 October 2003

Spanish Rice

Roast Pork

Fried Bananas

Beef Patties

 

The new $20 bill

A letter from Iraq.

CPT Michael Ciarrocca, Commander, 253rd Transportation Company, NJ Army National Guard, serving in Iraq as part of the United States led coalition forces, in a letter dated 15 September 2003, stated that all of his soldiers remain safe, accounted for, and continue to set the standard in the conduct of their duties for corresponding type activity duty component units.  He also said that the past several weeks have been difficult in that the unit has seen an increase in the intensity and variation of missions in support of ongoing stability operations.  The unit was also featured in a current issue of the New York Post newspaper, concerning special modifications made by unit personnel to their vehicles, which have yet to be mastered by other units.  CPT Ciarrocca once again thanked everyone for all the cards and packages of personal use items sent to his soldiers.  We wish him and all his soldiers continued success in their mission, and a safe and speedy return home

The Department of Veterans Affairs announces the awarding of Homeless Veteran Programs grants.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi, announced yesterday, 2 October 2003, the awarding of Life Cycle Grants for programs that bring life safety codes at VA homeless facilities into compliance by 2006.  New Jersey was one of 17 states selected for these awards.  Our Department's Veterans Haven will receive a $339,000 grant to bring the electrical system up to code.

Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act - final phase takes effect this week.

The final phase of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act will take effect this week.  This legislation, authored by Congressman Chris Smith, will increase the amount of money distributed to veterans through the monthly GI Bill to $985 a month, an increase of more than $300 from the previous monthly allotment.  The total lifetime stipend for veterans who wish to attend college under the GI Bill is now $35,460. "The original GI Bill is widely and appropriately credited with helping millions of returning World War II veterans live the American Dream," Congressman Smith said.  "It is my hope that the GI Bill improved under my law will provide the same assistance to a new generation of American veterans."  

Northern Region Family Assistance Center opens.

The new Northern Region Family Assistance Center held its grand opening on Sunday, 28 September 2003.  The Adjutant General, BG Glenn K. Rieth, Family Assistance Center Specialist, Mrs. Joanne Grieco, Family Readiness Group personnel, and the State Family Program Coordinator, CW4 Ralph Cwieka, all joined in cutting the yellow ribbon that opened the Family Assistance Center (FAC).  FACs are sometimes considered "one stop shopping" for Guard and military families, and are established in times of contingency call-up, mobilization, and large-scale deployments to provide support and assistance to military members and their families.  They are intended to simplify the process of accessing needed services and support for Guard families called to active duty for an extended period of time.  The primary mission of any FAC is to inform and emotionally support families so the Guard members can perform their mission.  The Northern Region Family Assistance Center is located in the Teaneck Armory located on Teaneck and Liberty Roads in Teaneck, New Jersey.  Families may call the toll free number, 1-888-682-7865, or visit the FAC for assistance with ID card information/DEERS, Tricare benefits, financial and legal assistance.  One full-time Family Assistance Specialist and several volunteers staff the FAC.  They handle phone calls, mailings, as well as stock the Food Pantry.  The new FAC also has space for Family Readiness Group meetings and briefings.

Iraq War Victim Buried at BG William C. Doyle Cemetery.

On Monday, September 29th, the remains of Army Staff Sergeant Frederick L. Miller, Jr. were interred at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Of the almost 29,000 veterans buried at the Cemetery, Sergeant Miller is the only casualty of the Iraq conflict buried there.  Sergeant Miller, from Jackson, New Jersey, died on 20 September in Iraq while on security patrol. 

Vietnam Veterans honored at Bergen County ceremony.

BG William Marshall presented Vietnam Service medals to 222 veterans at a ceremony hosted by the Bergen County Public Safety Director, Frank DelVecchio.  The ceremony was held on 30 September 2003 at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute.  DMVA employees, Karen Hansen, Michelle Johnson, Roman Martyniuk and Veterans Service Officer, Bob Maulano, assisted Master of Ceremonies, CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly.                        

Distinguished, Meritorious and Vietnam Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are scheduled.

7 October

11 a.m.

Distinguished Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Ocean City Music Pier

7th & Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ

22 October

11 a.m.

Vietnam Service Medal

National Guard Armory

1060 Hamilton Avenue, Somerset, NJ

29 October

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Distinguished Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

National Guard Armory

National Guard Training Center

Sea Girt, NJ

NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center Announces its Calendar of Events.

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

17 Oct

9 a.m.

Capturing the Imagination - The Art, Music, Theater, Poetry, and Prose of the Vietnam Veteran

11 Nov

11 a.m.

Veterans Day Ceremony

13 Dec

6 p.m.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Vietnam Veterans Monument added to the Memorial Walkway at BG Doyle Cemetery.

On Friday, 26 September 2003, the Vietnam Veterans of America, New Jersey Council, dedicated a monument at the BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery honoring the more than 90,000 Vietnam Veterans in New Jersey, and especially, the 1,560 New Jerseyans who died in the war.  Mr. Bill Jayne, Director of the State Cemetery Grants Services at the Veterans Administration in Washington and a Vietnam veteran himself, was the keynote speaker at the dedication.

NJ Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) addresses West Point Society.

NJESGR State Chairman, Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr., addressed members of the West Point Society at their monthly business meeting in Philadelphia this week.  General Dutko presented background information on the ESGR Committee, its organizational structure, and current events.  A Question and Answer session followed with the attendees, who included a number of Military Academy alumni and business executives.

Stand Down of South Jersey - A big success.

On 26 September 2003, 125 homeless veterans were assisted by Mr. Harry Ruhle, Chairman of the Stand Down Committee, members of the NJ Army and Air National Guard, veterans and social service organizations, the Camden County Sheriff's Office, volunteers from the U.S.S. New Jersey, and Mr. John Kelly at the NJ Army National Guard's Cherry Hill Armory.  The Stand Down Committee provided these homeless veterans, who are in combat every day, an opportunity to stand down and enter a safe area where someone else was responsible for their security.  The veterans were given the opportunity to obtain medical attention, social services, food, clothing, and shelter. The Veterans Administration, state, county, and local agencies provided legislative and welfare services, along with employment/unemployment assistance.  The receipt of a  $5,000 grant helped to support this year's successful Stand Down operation.

Today in History.

Today is Friday, October 3rd, the 276th day of 2003. There are 89 days left in the year.

         In 1922, Rebecca Felton became the first female to hold office of U. S. Senator.  She was appointed by Governor Thomas W. Hardwick of Georgia to fill a vacancy.

         In 1945, Elvis Presley appeared in a talent show at the age of 10.  It was his first public appearance.  He won 2nd Place and $5. 

         In 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC-TV. 

         In 1990, the Berlin Wall was dismantled, unifying East and West Germany after 45 years of division.

         In 2001, Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) broke Babe Ruth's major league single-season record for walks at 171.

Armory Happenings - Check to see what's happening at an Armory near you.

3 - 8 October

Carpet & Furniture Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

3 October

Wrestling

Cherry Hill Armory

12 October

Sports Card, Comics & Beanies

Bordentown Armory

19 October

Toy Show

Freehold Armory

24 - 26 October

Craft Show and Sale

Morristown Armory

24 - 26 October

Tool Show

Woodbridge Armory

25 October

Fundraiser - Breast Cancer 5K Race

NGTC, Sea Girt

31 Oct - 2 Nov

Antique Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

2 November

NASCAR Collectibles

Bordentown Armory

7 - 9 November

Craft Show

Westfield Armory

21 November

Boxing Match Benefit

Westfield Armory

21-23 November

"Home for the Holidays" Gift Fair

Morristown Armory

30 November

Toy Show

Freehold Armory

12-14 December

Craft Show and Sale

Morristown Armory

26-28 December

Wrestling Tournament

Teaneck Armory

The new color of money and interesting facts.

A safer, smarter, and more secure $20 note will begin circulating next week, 9 October.  The new bills will feature background colors and improved safety features.  The new design for the $20 will be followed by new designs for the $50 and $100 over the next few years.

F       The first $20 bill was introduced in 1861.

F       New ink appears either copper or green, depending upon the angle at which the bill is viewed.

F       The first time a color other than black or green appeared in the bill was in 1905, when gold ink was briefly used in the printing.

F       The average $20 bill lasts three years

F       An ATM can hold up to 7,500 bills, or $150,000 in twenties.

F       The $20 bill is the most counterfeited in the U.S., while the $100 is most counterfeited abroad.

Crime in New Jersey - 2002.

Due to budgetary constraints, the Crime in New Jersey - 2002 report will not be printed in book form this year.  However, the Crime in New Jersey - 2002 report will be available on the NJ  State Police website, www.NJSP.ORG

Isn't it amzanig? 

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what order the ltteers in a word are, the only iprmoetnt thing is that the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.  The rset can be a total mses and you can still raed it wouthit porbelm.  This is bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe.  Amzanig, huh?

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