New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

1. A HERO'S WELCOME GREETED MEMBERS OF THE 108TH AIR REFUELING WING RETURNING FROM THEIR DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. On Friday, 4 April, Governor James E. McGreevey, BG Rieth, and Maj Gen Martin joined families and friends as they welcomed members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing back home following their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brig Gen Chojnacki waited with families on Wednesday, 9 April 2003, as additional members of the 108th returned home safely. The 108th ARW had been flying combat support missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 108th has also been involved in Operation Noble Eagle, providing military operations associated with homeland defense and civil support.

2. THE BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY AND LIBERTY USO INVITE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH MILITARY PERSONNEL OVERSEAS TO A FREE AFTERNOON ON THE BATTLESHIP THIS SATURDAY, 12 APRIL 2003, 12 NOON - 4:00 PM. The purpose of this event is to support families of military personnel overseas. You must show Military ID to enter. There will be live music, gifts/prizes, tours, free food and drink, and opportunities to meet local celebrities. For more information or for directions to the Battleship New Jersey, call 856-966-1652 or visit their website at http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org.

3. THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE AIR FORCE HAVE TEAMED UP TO SAY "THANKS" TO EMPLOYERS. The Air Force is working with Congress to give employers of Air National Guardsmen and Air Force Reservists a deserved pat on the back for their sacrifices. On Wednesday, 2 April 2003, the Air Force hand-delivered invitations to members of Congress offering them the use of a database of employers who have workers called to active duty so that the Senators and Representatives could send employers letters of thanks.

4. NEW JERSEY'S DEPUTY ADJUTANT GENERAL, COLONEL MARIA MORGAN, TESTIFIES before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Oversight Investigation Subcommittee. Col Morgan's testimony came at an oversight hearing about the implementation of Public Law 107-287, authored by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, which is designed to bolster the nation's health care response to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Chairman Smith introduced Deputy Adjutant General Morgan to the Subcommittee and recounted the confusion that occurred during the anthrax crisis at the Hamilton, New Jersey Post Office in October 2001. Col Morgan further described New Jersey's need and attempts to secure a WMD Civil Support Team (Heavy). The CST-Heavy team has capabilities in: nuclear, biological, and chemical technical expertise in the areas of early detection, sample collection, NBC reconnaissance, initial medical assessment, initial assessment of security requirements and force protection, initial resource and logistics requirements and coordination of transportation or air movement. Subcommittee Chairman, Steve Buyer (IN) thanked Colonel Morgan for her timely and informative remarks.

5. DMVA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR "TAKE YOUR SON/DAUGHTER TO WORK DAY" ON THURSDAY, 24 APRIL 2003. The department will be sponsoring tours to the Aviation Flight Facility in West Trenton and the Training and Training Technology Battle Lab (T3BL) at Fort Dix. The children will have the opportunity to view helicopters, tanks and simulated activities. If you are interested in having your child participate in these tours and activities, please contact the Human Resources Division at (609) 530-6841 or the Affirmative Action Office at (609) 530-6749 for more information.

6. NEW DOD CELL PHONE POLICY IS INSTITUTED. Beginning 1 May 2003, cell phone use in a government vehicle at any time, on post or off post, or in a private vehicle while conducting government business or driving on post, is restricted to a "Hands Off" policy. You must both pull over and put your vehicle in park to use your cell phone, or use a no-hands device of some type to use your cell phone while driving. In other words, your hands must be on the steering wheel at all times while using a cell phone. DOD police will start enforcing this policy, which is consistent with GSA regulations and most DOD installations, on 1 May…so be prepared!

7. TASK FORCE ALPHA PROVIDES SECURITY AT NEWARK'S LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in support of the New Jersey State Police and the Port Authority Police Department. BG Marshall, Task Force Commander, has utilized the 2/113th IN, 2/102nd AR, and the 3/112th FA to support this mission, which began on 20 March 2003. Currently, 3/112th FA soldiers are on State Active Duty supporting this mission from the Jersey City Armory.

8. VETERANS AWARD CEREMONY HELD THIS WEEK AT THE NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING CENTER, SEA GIRT, NEW JERSEY. On Thursday, 10 April 2003, BG Thomas J. Sullivan presented 191 Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medals to veterans of Monmouth County during a ceremony at the National Guard Training Cemetery. Approximately 400-450 guests attended the ceremony, hosted by MAJ Joseph Sarama and the 250th Forward Support Battalion. The Department would like to express its gratitude to Barlow's Flower Farm in Sea Girt for the donation of yellow bows used to decorate the trees at the Training Center. Special thanks also go to an "anonymous donor" who paid for the Danish pastries that were being purchased for the ceremony. When an unidentified woman saw a member of the NJ National Guard picking up the order at the Ritz Bakery in Sea Girt, she told him to put his money away and paid for the order.

9. VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

29 Apr - 11:00 a.m.
Vietnam Service Medal
National Guard Armory
Somerset, NJ

3 May - 12:45 p.m.
Vietnam Service Medal
Naval Air Station Wildwood
Cape May Airport
Cape May, NJ

10. MILITARY TRANSPORTATION NEWS. In conjunction with the ongoing mobilization and movement of units to support current wartime operations, SGT Russo, ACoS-G4-TRANS, continues to receive praise from the Fort Dix Transportation Office concerning his flawless coordination of convoy movements and corresponding logistical support for units moving through Fort Dix, New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina seaports. This includes Active and Reserve Component Forces deploying for ONE, OEF, and OIF.

11. THE ENLISTED ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF NEW JERSEY (EANGNJ) ANNOUNCES 2003 AWARDS PROGRAM. Each year the Association presents the CSM Wilfred Z. Lea Outstanding First Sergeant Award, the SGM Harry Arbeitman Outstanding NCO Award, the SFC Robert G. Vuinovich Outstanding Soldier, and the MSgt John E. Bodine Outstanding Airman Award. Nominations must include the nominee's home address, home telephone number, work telephone number, and spouse's full name. All nominations are due not later than 5 July 2003. Additional information can be found on the Association's website, http://www.eang-nj.org/awards.html.

12. NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL AND VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

26 April	1:00 pm	Thirteen Months, Thirteen Stories, One Tour
7 May	11:00 am	Remembrance Day Ceremony
10 May	1:00 pm	Not at Ease: Photographs of America's Continuing Engagement with the Vietnam War
26 May	11:00 am	Memorial Day Ceremony
14 June	1:00 pm	Unknown Soldier
27 July	9:00 am	5th Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show

13. ANOTHER NEW CHIEF IS WELCOMED BY THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (NJARNG). Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Glenn E. Eckenrode was pinned to his new rank during first formation on Sunday, April 6th, at HQ STARC on Fort Dix, NJ with an effective date of March 23, 2003. Chief Eckenrode was pinned by his wife, Debbie, and by CW5 Al Curving, the State Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the NJARNG. Mr. Eckenrode is full-time AGR and is presently assigned as the Combat Service Support Automation Management Officer (CSS-AMO) with the Director of Logistics (DOL/G4).

14. PHILADELPHIA USO PLANS "LIBERTY USO SWING CANTEEN" ON SUNDAY, 18 MAY 2003, AT THE FIRST CITY TROOP. STEP BACK IN TIME TO AN ERA DEFINED BY BIG BANDS & SWING, FOOD RATIONS & OLD FASHIONS, AND A STRONG SENSE OF UNITY AND PURPOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR EFFORT. The purpose of the evening is to honor our armed forces; raise funds to support USO programs for our military and their families in PA and NJ; dance, eat, and have fun! Uniform of the day: 1940's vintage style clothing, military uniforms, and patriotic attire. Cost: $50.00 per person. For additional details contact Sharon G. Miller at (610) 505-5757.

15. ARMORY HAPPENINGS - CHECK TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU.

19 Apr	Wrestling	Cherry Hill Armory
23-27 Apr	Ball & Dinner Dance	Morristown Armory
28 Apr -7 May	Carpet & Furniture Show	Morristown Armory

16. GETTING TO KNOW NEW JERSEY…The State Bird…The Eastern Goldfinch is the New Jersey state bird, having been so declared by Chapter 283 of the Laws of 1935. (R.S. 52:9A-1).

17. INTERESTING, BUT USELESS FACTS…

A camel has three eyelids.
Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.
Alaska has the highest percentage of people that walk to work.
Strawberries are the only fruit whose seeds grow on the outside.
Broccoli and cauliflower are the only veggies that are flowers.
The average person spends about two years on the phone in a lifetime.