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By Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA

On Nov. 8, 1942, the Allies invaded French North Africa.

Operation Torch (it was originally called Operation Gymnast) was the United States and Britain’s opening move in taking the fight against the Axis powers.

Instead of attacking Fortress Europe directly (the Allied invasion of Dieppe – Operation Jubilee – had been an utter disaster the likes not seen since Dunkirk), the Allies planned a combined invasion of Morocco and Algeria, both French possessions and under control of Régime de Vichy (Nazi Germany had installed a puppet French government that was located in Vichy hence the name), in North Africa.  These locations held key ports used by the Axis in their desert campaign against the British.  Eliminating that control was seen as the first step toward destroying the Axis threat in North Africa.

General Dwight Eisenhower was given command of the operation with the following goals (1) establish secure bases for continued air, ground and sea operations; (2) exploit those footholds and extend offensive operations against Axis forces and finally (3) destroy all Axis forces opposing the British forces in the Western Desert and establish bases for air and sea operations against the Axis in the European continent.  Politically the invasion’s purpose was to reduce the pressure of German forces on the Russian troops and to show Stalin that the United States and Britain were really part of the war effort.

The Allies planned a series of amphibious landings to simultaneously seize the key ports and airports of Morocco and Algeria, specifically targeting Casablanca, Oran and Algiers.  The Allies believed that the Vichy French forces would not fight; this was based on information supplied by the American Consul in Algiers.

The operation began in the early hours of Nov. 8.  In Casablanca the landings occurred at three points: Safi, Fedala, and Mehdiya-Port Lyautey.  Despite heavy resistance by Vichy forces, all capitulated by the end of the day.  By the 10th, the Americans had surrounded Casablanca, which surrendered an hour before the final assault.

At Oran there was stubborn resistance by the Vichy forces, however heavy fire from British Naval forces brought about their surrender on the 9th.  In Algiers, the invasion was led by the American 34th Infantry with the belief that the French would react more favorably to an American landing than a British one.  Some of the units, which were split between three beaches, went to the wrong beaches, but this didn’t matter since there was practically no French opposition.  In one instance, the French commander openly welcomed the Allies.

Torch saw the first major airborne assault carried out by the United States. The 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion flew all the way from Britain intending to drop near Oran and capture airfields at Tafarquay and Youk-Les-Bains. The drop was marked by navigational and communication problems.  Coupled with the extreme range, several aircraft were forced to land in the desert.  Nevertheless, both airports were captured.

“On November 10th, Admiral Darlan (Admiral François Darlan was in command of the Vichy forces) broadcast an order calling on all French forces in North Africa to cease resistance, and by 0700 hours the following morning, hostilities finally ceased on the Front of the Western Task Force,” General Eisenhower stated in his after action report.

Operation Torch was a learning process for both the Americans and the British.  Intelligence suggested that Vichy forces would not put up a fight; they did.  Mistakes were also made during the amphibious and airborne landings.  All these lessons-learned were effectively applied to future war efforts.  Operation Torch led to the eventual defeat of Axis forces in North Africa on May 13, 1943, which was followed by the invasions of Sicily July 9, 1943 and Normandy – D-Day – on June 6, 1944.

Sources for this article were: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; the History of United States Naval Operations In World War II, Vol. II, Operations In North African Waters, Oct. 1942 - June 1943 by Samuel Eliot Morison; pub: Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1960; Report of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces to the Combined Chiefs of Staff on Operations in Northwest Africa; and the USS Augusta webpage.

By Senior Airman Robbie Finley, 108th ARW Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, Brig. Gen. Lawrence J. Thomas III, Commander, N.J. Air National Guard; Col. Ron Alfors, the chief of staff for the NJNG’s Joint Force Headquarters, and Col. Michael L. Cunniff, the 108th ARW commander, flew to Incirlik on one of the 108th’s KC-135E Stratotankers Oct. 17. The relatively long flight and difference in time had them arriving in the late morning of Oct. 18.

The next day, the 90th EARS crew members took the distinguished visitors up on an aerial refueling of a C-17 Globemaster III.

“No matter how many times you see an aerial refueling, it is still amazing,” General Rieth said.

Thursday, Oct. 20, saw an end to the trip as the command team returned on a KC-135, confident that the Citizen Airmen from New Jersey were doing their best to help wherever and whenever they can.

On Saturday, November 11, we honor the men and women who have served America with Veterans Day.  Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in wartime, Veterans Day honors all those who have served, in times of peace as well as in war.

Veterans Day is observed on November 11. The holiday was originally called Armistice Day, and it commemorated the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Fighting stopped at 11 a.m., the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

In 1919, on the first anniversary of the World War I armistice (truce), President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation expressing pride in the heroism of those who had died during the war. Business stopped for two minutes starting at 11 a.m., and it later became customary to observe two minutes of silence from 11 a.m. Many states made Armistice Day a state holiday in the 1920s and 1930s, and in 1938 the Congress of the United States declared it a federal holiday.

In 1954 the name of the holiday was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor those who had served in World War II (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953). Today, the holiday honors all veterans. In 1968 Congress changed the date of the holiday to the fourth Monday in October to give Americans a three-day weekend. But because of the significance of November 11 to many people, the traditional date was restored by law in 1978.

The Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held on the chapel committal plaza on Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.  The Veterans Cemetery Advisory Council will also hold a flag retirement ceremony.  The Doyle cemetery is located at 350 Province line Road, Wrightstown, N.J.  You can contact them at 609-758-7250 or 0169.

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial And Vietnam Era Educational Center, located at Exit 116, Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, will hold their annual ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., rain or shine.  As part of the ceremony, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans‘ Memorial Foundation inducts veterans into the “In Memory” Program will honor those who served in Vietnam and returned home only to die as a result of their tour, but whose names are not on the Memorial.  For more information, call 732-335-0033.

(facts about Veterans Day taken from Encarta.msn.com)

The Trenton Titans are having a “Salute to Our Military,” night on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Sovereign Bank Arena when the Titans skate against the Dayton Bombers.  Tickets for the lower bowl seats are priced at $11 for adults and $9 for children 14 and under.  The game starts at 7 p.m. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, either call the Trenton Titans at 609-599-9500, ext. 135 and ask for Ed or e-mail PAO@njdmava.state.nj.us and request a copy of the ticket order form.  Once you complete the form, you can mail or fax it to the Trenton Titans for the tickets.

The 42nd Regional Support Group Family Readiness Group is having a “Mexican Fiesta” to raise funds.  The buffet lunch will be held at the Somerset Armory on Sunday, Nov. 19, form noon to 4 p.m.  Please RSVP by calling the armory at 732-937-6390 or e-mail john.a.hales@us.army.mil.

Do you have an AKO account?  Those Soldiers, family members and guests who have an Army Knowledge Online account can use the latest addition to the Web site: Slick Deals for Soldiers.  Here you can find deals to purchase calling cards and discounts on your phone services, discounts when purchasing a computer, free antivirus software for your computer, deals on car rentals and purchases, travel deals, theme park discounts and other coupons and discounts for Soldiers and their family members.  So the next time you log onto www.us.amy.mil to check your e-mail or find a regulation or one of the other many things available on AKO, stop by Slick Deals to see if you can find a good deal for your wallet.

ARE YOU COVERED? National Guard Association of New Jersey Group Life Insurance Program entitles members of either the Officers` or the Enlisted Association to enroll in the Association Life Insurance Program.  This special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000 of Life Insurance for you, “round the clock.”  Premiums range from as little as $2 per month and may be payroll deducted from your drill check.  Family coverage for spouses and all children is also available at low rates designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  There are no aviation exclusions, no hazardous duty restrictions, no war clauses and no checks to write.  Information can be obtained by contacting retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jack Petrosilli at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S. Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004.  Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator, at 732-249-8335.

The 112th Field Artillery Association will hold its 2006 Reunion on Nov. 11 and 12.  The dinner and awards presentation will be held at the Lawrenceville National Guard Armory on Nov. 11 from 4-9 p.m.  Cost is $45 per person, $90 per couple.  On Sunday, Nov. 12 there will be a memorial service and concert at the armory at 11 a.m. with a free concert by the 63rd Army Band.

The New Jersey National Guard Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has officially kicked off its 2006 Campaign which will run until the last week of November 2006.

The CFC provides each of us with an annual opportunity to voluntarily help others and ourselves by donating to the community, national and international level human, health and environmental organizations.  With more than 3,000 human and health service organizations listed in the CFC Catalog, there is certainly at least one cause deserving consideration for your personal contribution.

Contributions may be made via easy payroll deductions each year or by check.

Over the years, our Department has been most successful in this endeavor because of your personal generosity and concern.  We urge every employee to support this worthy cause.  Catalogs and payroll deduction forms will be going out to all full time Federal Technicians and AGRs. 

The CFC Coordinator for this year’s Combined Federal Campaign is Jo Anne Miller, of the J1-HRO Office.  For more information, please call 609-562-0851.

The New Jersey State Employees Charitable Campaign (ECC) has officially kicked off its 2006/2007 Campaign which will run until Nov. 24.

The ECC provides each of us with an annual opportunity to voluntarily help others and ourselves by donating to any of the more than 1,400 participating agencies and organizations listed in the ECC Code Book.  Contributions may be made by payroll deductions each year or by cash, or check.

Over the years, our Department has been most successful in this endeavor because of your personal generosity and concern.  We urge every employee to support this worthy cause.  Code Books and payroll deduction forms will be going out to all full time state employees.

This year’s ECC Coordinator for the State’s Employees Charitable Campaign is Walter Nall, of the DMAVA-HRO Office.  For more information, please contact him at 609-530-6841.  You may also access information on line at www.njsecc.org.

The Guard Booth Telephone Number is 609-671-6623.

Effective immediately all Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Employees that interface with outside personnel for hosting on-site meetings here at the Lawrenceville Headquarters are directed to notify the security guard when expecting scheduled visitors.

You are to provide the date, time and name of the visitor in advance whenever possible, also the DMAVA employee they are visiting and/or meeting they are attending. The Guard will issue a visitors parking permit. If you are expecting a large party for a meeting or event please provide a roster of attendees, with the meeting date time and location to the gate guard prior to the event.

The Enlisted Association of New Jersey has added to their Web Page a new feature called “On-GUARD Business Registry,” designed to list businesses owned by current or former National Guard members, and the goods and services they offer.  If you are a current or former member of the New Jersey Army or Air National Guard, this is a great cost-effective opportunity for your business to reach your fellow National Guard members.  Just go to the Web site: www.eang-nj.org and fill out your application today.

The New Jersey Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.  They perform inland search and rescue missions, aerial reconnaissance for homeland security and disaster relief missions.  CAP has an active cadet program and aerospace education program for young people.  All of the members are unpaid volunteers and must purchase their own uniforms, although CAP does try to provide uniforms for their cadet members without charge to them.

CAP is looking for donations of BDUs (woodland pattern) in wearable condition for use by their members.  They can use pants, shirts, field jackets and caps.  They will also accept Air Force Service Dress uniforms for cadet’s use.

If you have uniforms to donate, please contact Maj. Rick Ulmer, (732)364-7755 or e-mail: caplawyer123@comcast.net.  He will make arrangements for pick-up.

Does your shopping list have either a U.S. Flag or New Jersey flag on it?  One good piece of news – the sales tax hike does not affect that purchase; in fact purchase of either flag is TAX FREE in New Jersey.  Please visit the following web page to check out the particulars: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?flag.htm.

If you are an Army Soldier or DA civilian, you can access more than 2,600 information technology, business, self-development and 30 foreign language courses for FREE through Army e-Learning.  Visit www.us.army.mil and select “my education.”  In Fiscal Year 2006, almost a quarter million courses were completed.  Some of the top 10 courses of the month for July were: Rosetta Stone Spanish and Arabic, Windows XP: Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals and Encryption Technologies.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Hotline is:
1-866-232-5798

You will hear the following message:

You have reached the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Emergency Information Number.  Please listen to the following menu choices and select an appropriate option:

State employees – press 1
Federal employees – press 2
National Guard employees – press 3

Are you looking for an affordable vacation spot?  The Armed Forces Recreation Center has resorts around the world for members of the Armed Forces, their families and other members of the Total Defense Force.  Room rates are based on rank, pay grade, duty status, room size and/or room location. Reservations are required, policies vary by location and guests may not stay more than 30 consecutive days or register again within the following 90-day period.  But if you are thinking of Hawaii, Germany, South Korea or Orlando as a possible vacation destination, this just may be the ticket!  Visit http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/  for more information.

Doyle cemetery seeks volunteers

The Cemetery is working toward designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. We are enlisting the support of community volunteers for Outreach & Education. Scouting Groups, Veteran Service Organizations, Youth Groups, and other interested individuals are encouraged to contact Iven C. Dumas 1st Sgt, USMC (Ret) Assistant Superintendent, at 609- 758-7250 ext. 17 or by e-mail at Iven.Dumas@njdmava.state.nj.us.

The Joint Training and Development Center (JT2DC) recently unveiled the Memorial Walkway to the center.  The purpose of the pond and walkway are to serve as a reminder that there are Soldiers in harm’s way protecting the freedoms that we all cherish and enjoy.

The concept of the Memorial Walkway was to have Soldiers create a mark by dedicating inscribed bricks.  Soldiers have chosen to honor loved ones, family members, friends, and personnel with whom they served.

Anyone interested in purchasing an engraved paver for $50, can contact Command Sgt. Major Timothy Maskery at (609) 562-0539.

Membership
Give our state a larger voice by becoming a member of the Enlisted Association.  The increased numbers will help us speak on all legislative issues that will benefit you and your families. The association works hard for you at the Federal & State level on all important issues. Visit the web site EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what the association does.

Conference
The Enlisted Association invites you to the Annual Conference at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Atlantic City West, October 6-8, 2006, to Honor and Salute our Airmen and Soldiers who supported the War on Terrorism. Saturday during the Military Ball will be our way to say thank you for their dedication and sacrifices that they and their families shared. Friday night will feature a Hawaiian luau with a show and an Army and Air challenge. Our mission is to have fun. Visit our web site EANG-NJ.org, click on EANG-NJ Conference to find out more. Thank you for your support. You can reach the membership chairman Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or jcptfalc@aol.com or co-chairman Edward Goetschius at 609-965-1972 or esgtmaj@comcast.net.

For the Families

The Guard Family Action Plan (GFAP) identifies issues of concern to Guard members, spouses, parents, children, retirees and civilian employees.  The GFAP determines actions necessary to resolve issues and assigns responsibility for actions to the proper staff agency. 

The proper staff agency begins at unit level within the chain of command and can include the Departments of the Army and Air Force and the Congress of the United States.  You can submit an issue along with your recommendation for a solution through the GFAP website at www.gfap.org. If you have any questions, you can call Marie Durling in the State Family Programs Office at 609-562-0739.

Family Programs on the calendar

Bordentown Armory – B Co 250th SBF & Co D 250th BSB – Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Hammonton Armory – 119th SB Corps –
Jersey City Armory – D Co 2-113th –
Lawrenceville Armory – 50th PSB –.; 50th Fin Bn –
Morristown Armory – 3-112th & 5/117th –
Newark Armory – A, B, E Co’s 2-113th Inf – Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
Port Murray Armory – 2-102nd Arm –
Teaneck Armory – 50th SBM – Nov. 16, 7 p.m.
Toms River Armory – C/3-112th FA –
Vineland Armory – 5/117th Cav –
West Orange Armory – B Co 5/117th Cav –
Woodbury Armory – Trp C 5.117th Cav –

Recreation and Sports

Anheuser Busch has announced its program offering free amusement park tickets to the service members and their families has become so popular it will be extended another year. The "Here's to the Heroes," is open to active duty service members, active members of the National Guard or Reserve, and up to three direct dependents for one complimentary admission per year. Participants can go online to fill out a form for free admission at http://www.herosalute.com/.

The amusement parks participating in the program are: Sea World  parks in Orlando, Florida; San Diego and San Antonio;  Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia; Sesame Place, a children's play and water park, near Philadelphia; Adventure Island water park in Tampa; and Water Country USA water park in Williamsburg. 

Operation Oasis Outreach at Sandy Cove, North East, Md., offers a free, 3-day, 2-night time for rest and relaxation for military personnel who were deployed to the Middle East area during OIF/OEF with their spouse and children.  Sandy Cover is located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.  If you are interested, contact Carol Lee Lynch: toll free 1-800-287-4843 or e-mail c.lynch@sandycove.org.

Scholarship News

Grantham University scholarships: Grantham University offers a scholarship program to severely injured service members and their spouses and adult children.  Go to www.grantham.edu for more information.  They also have scholarship programs for military veterans, service members, and family members.

Widener University CARES Scholarship: Widener University, Chester, Pa., has a full scholarship program for children of Global War on Terrorism service members who were killed in action.  Contact the Office of Admissions at 610-499-4126 for more information.

Veterans Information

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

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

StandDown helps the state’s homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets by providing a broad range of necessities, including food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling, and referrals, but most importantly, companionship and camaraderie.

We are looking for committee members to initiate the start up operation of Stand Down in the Central Jersey area.  Membership is open to Veterans and volunteers over the age of 18 who are willing and able to give of their time, efforts and resources in assisting programs for homeless veterans. 

If you are interested in becoming a committee member, you may contact Patricia Richter at 609-530-6949.

Veterans having questions about recent incidents involving VA computers and personal information may call 1-800-333-4636 or (1-800-FED-INFO).

Ocean County veterans now have a place to get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling.  Once a week, counselors from the Trenton Vet Center will offer office hours at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, 1027 Hooper Ave, Building 2, Toms River.

To schedule an appointment, call 732-929-2096.

Ocean County, with the state’s largest concentration of veterans, signed an agreement with the Vets Center, an arm of the Veterans Administration recently. 

John Dorrity, director of the Ocean County Veterans Bureau said that he has a waiting list of veterans who will participate in the counseling. He added that they will start off with once a week, but will possibly increase sessions if the need arises.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 4 / 1 p.m. "Women at War: The Story of Fifty Military Nurses Who Served in Vietnam," book discussion by the author, Elizabeth Norman.

Nov. 11 / 11 a.m. Veterans Day ceremony in the courtyard of the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

Nov. 30 / 6 p.m. 4th Annual "Salute to Patriotism" Gala, with special guest Governor Jon S. Corzine; honoring veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  Tickets required. (click here for more information:http://www.njvvmf.org/pdf/galasponsorlevels.pdf)

Dec. 2 / 1 p.m. "The Day It Snowed in Vietnam," poetry reading and discussion by the poet, Vietnam Veteran Jim Scheuckler.

Dec. 9 / 6 p.m. Holiday Lighting ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033.  A donation of $5 per person is suggested.  The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Regular admission is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel.  Regular adult admission is $4; student and senior citizen admission is $2; and children under 10 are admitted free.

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. 

Located at 934 Parkway Ave, 2nd Floor, Ewing, N.J., the Department of Veteran Affairs, Trenton Vet Center, provides free readjustment counseling services to combat zone veterans and their families.

The Vet Center services include:

· Individual readjustment counseling
· Group readjustment counseling
· Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Counseling for PTSD
· Substance Abuse counseling
· Marital and family counseling
· Sexual Trauma counseling    
· Community education and liaison
· Referral for benefits assistance
· Employment Assistance

Heading the Trenton Vet Center Staff is James Gordon, team leader.  Other staff at the center to help veterans and their families are Jeanne Morrison, Master Social Worker, Rawle Gaskin, Readjustment Counseling Therapist, Darryll Johnson, Readjustment Counseling Technician and Burnice Rice, Trenton Vet Center Office Manager.

The center is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday extended hours by appointment only.

All services provided to veterans and their families are at no cost and clients’ rights are protected by HIPPA.  For more information call (609) 882-5744.

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.

Nov 11 - Air Day, Veterans Day,
Nov 12 - National Pizza With the Works Except Anchovies Day
Nov 13 - National Indian Pudding Day
Nov 14 - Operation Room Nurse Day
Nov 15 - National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
Nov 16 - Button Day, NATIONAL GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT DAY - The American Cancer Society (ACS) holds the Great American Smokeout® each November to help smokers quit cigarettes for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever.

Green Coke and other food oddities:

- The first music video ever played on MTV Europe was "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits.

- Jamie Farr (who played Klinger on M*A*S*H) was the only member of the cast who actually served as a soldier in the Korean War.

- Gary Burgough who played Walter “Radar” O'Reily on M*A*S*H has a deformed left thumb. If you watch closely you will see that he never shows his left hand.

- The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

- The famous split-fingered Vulcan salute is actually represents the first letter ("shin," pronounced "sheen") of the word "shalom." As a small boy, Leonard Nimoy observed his rabbi using it in a benediction and never forgot it; eventually he was able to add it to "Star Trek" lore.