New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

NJ residents who are:
* Members of the National Guard or Reserve
* Mobilized for one year or longer to fight in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) – excluding routine training.

* Served 90 or more consecutive days in the GWOT on federal or state active duty (excluding routing training) and have received orders extending cumulative active duty a year or longer.

How do I apply?

* Contact participating banks. Call or visit your local branch office to obtain an application.
* Guardmembers, Reservists, or family members with Power of Attorney must submit copies of current mobilization orders with the bank’s Freedom Loan application.

Current participants:

Commerce Bank
1-888-751-9000

Credit Union of NJ
609-538-4061, ext. 401

First Morris Bank & Trust
1-888-530-2265

Manasquan Savings Bank
732-223-4450

North Jersey Federal Credit Union
1-888-78NJFCU

Peapack-Gladstone Bank (908)
719-BANK

Pennsville National Bank
856-678-6006

PNC
1-866-PNC-4USA

Sovereign Bank
1-877-391-6365

Sun National Bank
1-800-691-7701

Women’s Day 8 March 2006

“Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.

Luckily, this is not difficult.”

- Charlotte Whitton

American Legion Post 414 honors the 112th Field Artillery Association

The Lawrence Township American Legion Post 414 will honor the 112th Field Artillery Association at their Annual Awards Night Ceremony tonight.

The 112th Field Artillery Association will receive the American Legion Post 414’s Veterans of the Year Award. This award recognizes the Association’s community involvement, unselfish devotion to helping others, and their commitment to making Lawrence Township a better place for everyone to live. As veterans of the United States military, the 112th Field Artillery Association understands that our country, rich in achievements, is a beacon to other countries and a place that people from around the world want to make their home. As veterans, the 112th Field Artillery Association has helped make the United States what it is today.

Congratulations!

Youth ChalleNGe Pentagon Tour & Award Dinner

On 28 February 2006, two recent Youth ChalleNGe graduates, Megan Criscione and Monique Pacheco, proudly represented NJ Youth ChalleNGe on a trip to Washington, D.C. There they met with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and later toured the Pentagon. Secretary Rumsfeld congratulated the youth on their decision to attend Youth ChalleNGe and encouraged them to reach for their full potential. That evening, the graduates attended a dinner honoring “ChalleNGe Champions” sponsored by the National Guard Youth Foundation. The next day, 1 March 2006, NJ Youth ChalleNGe was honored by the USO with the LTG Emmet H. Walker Academic Award, which is given to the program that best develops its corps members’ educational opportunities and skills by increasing grade levels in reading and mathematics.

CSM Senior Enlisted Seminar held at Joint Training and Training Development Center (JT2DC)

On March 4th the CSM Senior Enlisted Seminar was held at the Joint Training and Training Development Center. The Seminar was chaired by CSM Richard Adkins, The State Command Sergeant Major, and CCMSgt Paul Gunning, the Command Chief for the New Jersey Air National Guard. CSMs from units of the National Guard were in attendance; some of the topics included: Recruiting and Retention, Family Programs, Homeland Security, Medical, the Enlisted Association, Schools, and Logistics. This seminar is a yearly event attended by all of the CSMs. They are briefed on the different areas of the New Jersey National Guard. Absent was CSM VanderClute who is currently deployed.

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DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues.

The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:

23-25 March 2006	East Brunswick Mall
27-29 April 2006	Moorestown Mall
18-20 May 2006	Ocean County Mall
15-17 June 2006	Quakerbridge Mall

The kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the identified dates.

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Senior Airman Wayne R. White II is selected as Airman of the Month.

Middletown resident Senior Airman Wayne R. White, II, a firefighter with the 177th Fighter Wing, competed for and was selected as Airman of the Month at Talill Air Base, Iraq, on February 28, 2006. SrA White, who is currently assigned to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, will now compete at the wing level at Balad Air Base in Iraq.

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Picatinny Arsenal announces opportunity for Veterans in New Jersey

Frog Falls is one of the Army’s largest waterparks and is located on Picatinny Arsenal. Beginning with the upcoming 2006 season, membership is extended to all service veterans, who are also offered the opportunity to use the Picatinny golf course. For more information, contact Kerry Deckert at 973-724-7275 or visit the MWR website at http://www.pica.army.mil/mwr/.

National Guard Association of New Jersey (NGANJ) – Upcoming Events

The National Guard Association of New Jersey will be conducting the following events. All members are encouraged to participate and mark these events on your calendars:

Business Meeting – The annual Business Meeting will be conducted on May 13, 2006 at the Lawrenceville Armory. The meeting will begin at 0800 hours (sign-in starting at 0730 hours) and will conclude at approximately 1200 hours. The attire for this meeting is “business casual.”

NGANJ President’s Golf Tournament – This tournament will be held at Falcon Creek Golf Course at McGuire AFB, NJ on June 5, 2006. This will be a “shotgun” start beginning at 1100 hours. The course limit is 144 players, so early reservations are suggested. A hot buffet dinner will follow at approximately 1700 hours at the McGuire NCO Club, which is located across the street from the course. This tournament benefits the Scholarship Fund. Last year, with your help, we were able to award nine (9) $1,000 scholarships to deserving students. This year, we hope to meet or exceed that goal.

NGANJ Social – The Association’s Social will be conducted on June 24, 2006 at the Ramada Inn in Hightstown, New Jersey. This event will begin at 1800 hours and will conclude at approximately 2300 hours. Cost per person is $60. This includes a full course dinner with DJ and live entertainment. The attire for this event will be the “dress” uniform for military and formal (suit) for civilians.

National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) 128th Conference will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from September 15-18, 2006. The New Jersey delegation will be staying at the Marriott Pyramid. Additional information and registration forms will be coming out shortly.

NGANJ 2006 Yearbook – CW5 (Ret) Jack Petrosilli and his Committee (Brig Gen Robert S. Dutko, Sr. and CW4 (Ret) Ken Langer) sent a mailing to all members requesting their support for the Yearbook. Please return your ads and/or booster request to CW5 Petrosilli by April 15, 2006.

National Guard Association of New Jersey Scholarship applications are being accepted now through March 15th. For more information, please contact COL Edward Slavin at Edward.slavin@nj.ngb.army.mil.

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Job Fairs -

Cherry Hill - The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development is sponsoring a Job Fair at the Cherry Hill Armory on Wednesday, 15 March 2006, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your resumes.

Bergen County – Veteran’s Job Fair will be held on Tuesday, 18 April 2006 from 0900 to 1230 hours at VFW Post 4591, 513 Veterans Place Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey 08604 “Click here” for directions to this event. The NJ Department of Labor, VFW Post 4591, and the Bergen County Division of Veteran Services are sponsoring the Job Fair, and more than 50 leading employers are registered to participate. Please bring plenty of resumes, a copy of your DD214 (separation/discharge), and dress to impress. If you would like additional information, contact John Bautz at 201-996-8950 ext 28 or by email at john.bautz@dol.state.nj.us.

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Career Day - Wednesday, March 15, 2006

The Mercer County Veterans Task Force is sponsoring a Career Day program on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. The program will be held at the Mercer County Community College, 100 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor Campus Student Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Job seekers will be able to meet employers from various industries and community agencies, as well as training providers. Bring your resume and dress professionally!

For additional information regarding the Career Fair, contact Kayra Melvin at 609-989-6523 or Yvonne Payton at 609-292-6743.

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108th Air Refueling Wing Supply Officer teaches English to Chileans

The thought of visiting Chile had never once crossed the mind of Capt. Joseph Stewart. Even further away in thought was the idea that he’d be teaching the native Chileans how to speak English.

“I never really had any notion I’d go to Chile,” said Stewart a supply management officer here. The plan was hatched when Stewart’s church had some missionaries visiting from Chile while he was away at UTA. The missionaries started telling everyone about the work they were doing.

“Missionaries home on furlough invited us to help them in Chile. My wife volunteered me and my oldest daughter to go,” he said. Stewart’s church decided to send a team out to Chile and lend a helping hand. Their primary purpose was to develop an outreach program for the working-class citizens that taught the Chileans English as a second language.

The first thing Stewart noticed about Chile was how similar their society is to society in the West. Surprisingly, Santiago is a very modern, very western city. That was not the only thing he noticed.

“It’s true – the water does run counter-clockwise,” he joked.

Everything went great as Capt Stewart took a leadership position, similar to the one he fulfills with the 108th Air Refueling Wing, by becoming a teacher to a wide variety of students, varying from young children to middle-aged adults.

For five days, Captain Stewart traveled over two hours by riding local transit and walking an average of 8 miles to and from the classroom, which was set up in the host church there. They worked long hours, from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Captain Stewart left Santiago on January 16th with wonderful memories of a place he had never dreamed of visiting that will stay with him forever.

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ESGR - Register your Employer

Register your employer: Members of the National Guard and Reserve an now register their employers in a national database, hosted by the Defense management Data Center (DMDC). Registering your employer will provide Reserve Force planners with valuable input that may help reduce the impact of call-ups on employers, and make it possible for your command or DOD to send information to your employer to promote support of your military service. National Guard/Reserve members can go to the following link, http://www.esgr.org, click on “Military Member” and then click on “Register Your Employer.

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Support the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey

Once again, the Enlisted Association is asking for your support by becoming a member of the Enlisted Association again this year. Your continued support will increase our numbers and give our State a larger voice on all legislative issues that will benefit you and your families. Your Association works for you at the Federal and State level on all important issues. Visit our website www.EANG-NJ.org and click on Benefits for the application and also find out more about what we do. Thank you for your support. You can reach the Membership Chairman, Jerome Zebrowski, with any questions at 609-214-6959 or jcptfalc@aol.com or Co-Chairman, Edward Goetschius, at 609-965-1972 or esgtmaj@comcast.net.

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"Marriage Enrichment" is NOT Therapy

PREP is NOT therapy, and is unlike anything to which you have been exposed. No encounter group or sharing of personal concerns, simply thrilling insights into a more loving, grown filled relationship! PREP begins with teaching effective communication skills, addresses problem resolution strategies that work, and teaches how to discover the hidden issues in every relationship. The program then moves into friendship, forgiveness, fun, and sensuality. If you are interested in attending (soldiers that were deployed are given priority) or need additional information, please call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739.

PREP is scheduled to be held at the Ramada Inn, East Windsor, New Jersey on the following dates: 17-19 February and 24-26 March 2006.

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Part-time opportunities in Military Funeral Honors Program.

The New Jersey Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program has several part-time employment opportunities immediately available across the state for TDGs and Technicians. Earn one day’s base pay and one retirement point for a few hours work providing Military Funeral Honors for our Veterans. If you are interested, please contact SGM Edward Goetschius, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, at 609-530-7090 or by e-mail at Edward.goetschius@nj.ngb.army.mil.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center’s upcoming event schedule.

25 March, 1:00pm
“Screaming Eagles in Vietnam: The 101st Airborne Division during the War” -- an oral history discussion and slide presentation by NJ Vietnam Veteran Peter Engelhardt.

Peter Engelhardt, of Summit, served in Vietnam from October 1968 through August 1969 with the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade, which operated out of Landing Zone (LZ) “Sally,” near the ancient imperial city of Hue, and Fire Support Base (FSB) “Whip” in the Ashau Valley near the Laotian border in northern South Vietnam. Engelhardt was a college graduate who then attended Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. As an officer in Vietnam, he worked primarily behind the scenes dealing with operations planning and coordination, intelligence assessment, and psychological warfare exercises. He holds a deep admiration and respect for the airborne infantry “line” officers and their men, whose primary duty was combat. It is in their honor that he retells the story of his group of “Screaming Eagles,” the nickname for members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to 732-335-0033. A $5 donation is suggested.

7 April, 5:00pm
Scholarship Deadline - Scholarships ($2,500 each) will be awarded to two graduating seniors from NJ who plan to further their education either at a college, university, or technical/trade school. Scholarship details and application forms can be obtained at www.njvvmf.org or by calling (732) 335-0033.

29 April, 1:00pm
“The Trail” – video presentation of an illustrated narrative about “walking point” in a combat patrol in the Vietnam War, by Vietnam Veteran Robin Bartlett.

7 May, 11:00am
NJ Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony

20 May, 1:00pm
For Armed Forces Day – “The Originals” – The Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Squadron of WWII – Breaking the Gure ender Barrier in Military Aviation – a lecture by Honey Fulton Parker, youngest sister of one of the first WAFS, Dorothy Fulton.

29 May, 11:00am
Memorial Day Ceremony.

For more information, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033. or (800) 648-VETS.

The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116.

Family Readiness Council Grants available.

The State Family Readiness Council has established a Grant Program that will provide both Family and Business Grants to deserving New Jersey National Guard families impacted by deployment. Additional information regarding these grants is available at Family Assistance Centers and Family Readiness Groups throughout the state. Those interested should contact Family Assistance at 1-888-859-0352.

Fitness Corner - Ernest Razzano, Certified Fitness Trainer, ISSA

7 Steps towards your Fitness Goals

If you have been working out for a while, you may have noticed an interesting phenomenon. The vast majority of the members at your gym looks the same year in and year out and never improves their physiques. Talk about banging your head against the wall.

These people are on autopilot. They are just going through the motions of a fitness lifestyle. Working out has just become another thing that they do. Don’t let this happen to you.

Let’s take a look at seven simple steps you can take right now to move you rapidly along toward your fitness goals.

Step 1. Decide Exactly What You Want. This will allow you to prioritize so that you are spending the most time on high value tasks that move you closer to your goals.

Step 2. Write It Down. Again, think on paper. Written goals are a powerful thing. They have an energy behind them that helps you move toward them that unwritten goals just don’t have.

Step 3. Set a Deadline On Your Goal. Create a sense of urgency and positive pressure. Without a deadline, you will procrastinate and do the little things that may damage your short-term goals.

Step 4. Make a list of everything you can think of that you will need to do to help you achieve your goal. Leave nothing to chance. The more planning you do ahead of time, the more likely you will stick to the plan and achieve your goals. The more prepared you are, the more success you will experience.

Step 5. Organize the List into a Plan. Organize your list by priority and sequence.

Step 6. Take Action on your Plan Immediately. Do something. Get started. Start building positive reinforcement and momentum RIGHT NOW.

Step 7. Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal. And with fitness, you have to, don’t you? Whether t is your workout, eating six high protein meals, etc., you should always be doing something that moves you forward toward your goals.

NJ Air National Guard Girls Softball Team plans St. Patty’s Day event.

Join the NJ Air National Guard Girls Softball Team for a St. Patty’s Day Dance and Chinese Auction on 18 March, 6-10 p.m., at the VFW in Cookstown, NJ. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet, music, door prize, cash bar and auction items. Buy your tickets by March 11 from Master Sgts Bonnie Gaskell, 609-562-0925, Tania Prairie, 609-754-2308, Keith Hyde, 609-754-6870, and Staff Sgt Stephanie Marshall, 609-754-8903.

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Tax Assistance is available for Service Members & Families

Free Turbo Tax online filing program is provided at no cost by the Department of Defense for active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. Visit Military Onesource at www.militaryonesource.com for details and additional information.

Also, almost every military installation offers a tax center for military, retired military and family members: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) office. VITA volunteers are trained by the IRS and military legal office and can provide advice or assistance in filing taxes. Returns filed through the tax center are sent electronically, and people will received their refunds within 7-10 days. Each installation determines its tax center’s operating hours and whether people need an appointment to come in. Contact the Legal Assistance Office at the facility nearest you.

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Armed Services YMCA Essay Contest

Wanted! Students who can write about why they are proud of their military family. Savings bonds will be given to the winners in each category. Eighth graders and younger should submit an essay of at least 100 words, but no more than 300 words. High school students should submit an essay of at least 300 words, but no more than 500 words. Judges like creative entries; i.e. poetry, stories, or newspaper articles. Entries with an official completed entry form must be postmarked no later than March 17, 2006. Additional information can be obtained at www.asymca.org.

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On this day in history -

Today is Friday, March 10th. It is the 69th day of the year with 303 days remaining.

0515 BC – The building of the great Jewish temple in Jerusalem was completed.
1849 – President Abraham Lincoln applied for a patent for a device to lift vessels over shoals by means of inflated cylinders; the only President to do so.
1876 – Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful call with the telephone. He spoke the words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.”
1880 – The Salvation Army arrived in the U.S. from England and set up its U.S. welfare & religious activity.
1894 – New York Governor Roswell P. Flower signed the nation’s first dog-licensing law.
1913 – William Knox rolled the first perfect 300 game in tournament competition.
1971 – The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to lower the voting age to 18.
1986 – The Wrigley Company of Chicago raised the price of its seven-stick pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum from a quarter to 30 cents.
2003 – North Korea test-fired a short-rang missile. The event was one of several in a patter of unusual military maneuvers.

Mark your Calendar

26 April – Administrative Professional Day
5 June - DMVA/JFHQ Picnic, Lawrenceville Armory
14 June – Trenton Thunder Military Appreciation Day
15 June – Unity Day
16-22 July – National Guard Youth Camp (Sea Girt, NJ)