Salute the Troops Ceremony scheduled for 17 June 2004.
Department employees, families and friends are invited to attend the New Jersey National Guard’s “Salute the Troops” Ceremony, Thursday, 17 June 2004. The ceremony will be held at the Cherry Hill Armory at 2 p.m. This is our fourth NJ National Guard special “Salute the Troops” ceremony, and will honor the 113 citizen-soldiers of A Company, 250th Signal Battalion and their families. The members of the 250th Signal Battalion will be deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

DMVA’s 6th Annual Unity Day – POSTPONED!
DMVA’S 6TH Annual Unity Day has been postponed. The new date is still to be determined.

Pancake Breakfast for the Troops is a huge success!
The Lawrence Lions and American Legion Post #414 raised over $10,000 for the Lawrenceville Family Assistance Center and Family Readiness Group at a Pancake Breakfast held on 6 June 2004. In preparing over 850 pancake breakfasts, which were served between 7a.m. and 1 p.m., 250 lbs of sausage, 230 lbs of pancake mix, 144 bottles of syrup, and 58 gallons of orange juice were used. Special thanks to the volunteers from the DMAVA Central Office who provided the necessary staff for this event, to the local business community for their generous donations, and to all of the members of the community who showed their support for our troops and their families by participating in this worthy cause. Thanks again for making this such a successful event!

DMVA’s Homeland Security Center of Excellence (HSCOE) is instrumental in the planning for Homeland Security Technology Seminar.
DMVA’s Homeland Security Center of Excellence was instrumental in the planning for the Homeland Security Technology Seminar hosted by Ft. Monmouth on 7 June 2004. This seminar was sponsored by the State to demonstrate and increase cooperation among federal and state agencies, academia, and industry in a concerted effort to further demonstrate Ft. Monmouth’s value to New Jersey and the nation as EFI-BRAC hearings approach. Approximately 300 attendees were on-hand to witness Governor McGreevey introduce and sign an Executive Order which proclaimed Ft. Monmouth as a New Jersey Center for Homeland Defense Technologies and Security Readiness. The Executive Order also directed NJIT to establish a Homeland Security Technology Systems Center that will work in collaboration with Ft. Monmouth, Picatinny Arsenal, federal military bases, state agencies, and universities to study related technologies that become available to support the Global War on Terrorism.

NJ Army National Guard’s 63rd Army Band announces its Summer Concert schedule.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center’s upcoming event schedule.
For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies.
The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State’s veterans.

Helmets to Hardhats Program links troops with civilian careers.
A federally funded program, Helmets to Hardhats, is making good on the military recruiters’ “selling point” that service members gain valuable skills they can apply in the private sector following their service. The program helps service members and military veterans put their training to use as they transition to jobs in the building and construction trades. Launched in January 2003 with funding from the 2003 Defense Appropriations Act, Helmets to Hardhats provides an important link between veterans and soon-to-be veterans and 15 building and construction trades organizations clambering for their skills. Collectively, these organizations represent about 82,000 contractors nationwide. Helmets to Hardhats Program – www.helmetstohardhats.com.

Attention Veterans – Small Business Resource Day is scheduled.
The second annual Small Business Resource Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 June 2004, at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City (Duane Street Entrance) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration, The U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the day’s goal is to help veteran-owned small businesses discover government procurement opportunities. If you need additional information, please call (212) 264-8265.

Today in History…
Today is Friday, 11 June 2004 and the 163rd day of the year. There are 204 days left in the year. On this day…

1776 – In America, the Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence from Britain.

1910 – Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born. He was the French underwater explorer that invented the Aqua-Lung diving apparatus.

1919 – Sir Barton became the first horse to capture the Triple Crown when he won the Belmont Stakes in NYC.

1927 – Charles Lindbergh was presented with the first Distinguished Flying Cross.

1947 – U.S. government announced an end to sugar rationing.

1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested in Florida for trying to integrate restaurants.

1963 – Alabama Governor George Wallace allowed two black students to enroll at the University of Alabama.

1981 – The first major league baseball player’s strike began. It would last for two months.

2001 – The U.S. federal government executed Timothy McVeigh for his role in the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City.

You know you’re from New Jersey when…
* You know that there are no “beaches” in New Jersey – there’s the shore. And, you don’t go to the shore; you go “down the shore.” When you are there, you’re not at the shore, but “down the shore.”

* You know that this is the only “New” state that doesn’t require “New” to identify it (try…Mexico, …York, …Hampshire – doesn’t work, does it?)

* You know how to properly negotiate a circle – and you know this statement refers to driving.

* You don’t think “What exit?” is funny.

* You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.

101 Critical Days of Summer – Sun Safety tips.
- Minimize exposure to the sun. –Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun in strongest, get under cover.

- Create a sun-save environment – Look for ways to provide more shade, like trees, shade structures, umbrellas, etc.

- Avoid reflected light – Remember that light rays from the sun move in straight lines. The rays can bounce back at you from the sand, concrete, water, and in the winter, snow. They are still very harmful when reflected. Up to 85% of the harmful UV radiation can come from reflected rays.

- Reapply sunscreen – Reapply sunscreen every two hours – even on cloudy days and especially after swimming or perspiring.

- Wear clothing that covers your body & shades your face. – Wear a hat! Pick clothes that are closely woven to shield the skin.

- Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors.

Family Appreciation Day –
Don’t forget to mark 21 August 2004 on your calendars – It’s Family Appreciation Day for all members of the New Jersey National Guard, employees of the Department of Military & Veterans, and their families. A day of fun in the sun is planned at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt.

Call today and volunteer to help at a Family Readiness Center near you.
As the New Jersey National Guard deploys soldiers and airmen around the globe, the families that are left behind need our support and assistance. Can we count on your help?

To reach any NJ National Guard Family Assistance Center – Call toll free 888-859-0352

Armory Happenings – Check to see what’s happening at an Armory near you.

Flag Day – 14 June

You’re a Grand Old Flag
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
‘ Neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

…George M Cohan