New Jersey Military and Veterans Affairs

This week we have two days where our family of Veterans and military have a special place on the calendar.

Today is POW/MIA Recognition Day. This special day honors the commitments and the sacrifices made by our nation's prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. Take a moment to remember these men and women who have made such a sacrifice to our nation.

There will be a POW/MIA Recognition Candlelight Service held at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Bristol Township Building, 2501 Bath Road, Bristol PA, this evening at 7:30 p.m.

On Monday, Sept. 18, the Air Force will celebrate its 59th birthday. The youngest of the branches of the military, it had an auspicious start in August 1907 when the U.S. Army Signal Corps created a Aeronautical Division to take “charge of all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects."

The first plane was flown in August 1908, crashing in September, giving us the first military aviation casualty then on to the first World War. In August 1914 the 1st Aero Squadron (the entire tactical air strength of the U.S. Army) consisted of 12 officers, 54 enlisted men and six aircraft.

In May 1918 President Woodrow Wilson transferred aviation from the Signal Corps to two agencies under the Secretary of War: The Bureau of Aircraft Production and the Division of Military Aeronautics. The War Department officially recognized these two Army agencies as the Air Service of the U.S. Army.

The Army Reorganization Act of 1920 made the Air Service a combatant arm of the Army. The Air Corps Act of 1926 changed the name of the Air Service to Air Corps. At this time the Air Corps had 919 officers and 8,725 enlisted men, and its "modern aeronautical equipment" consisted of 60 pursuit planes and 169 observation planes; total serviceable aircraft of all types numbered less than 1,000.

World War II gave the Army Air Corps rapid growth both in manpower and equipment.

Gen. George C. Marshall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, established the Army Air Forces on June 20, 1941, to control both the Air Corps and the Air Force Combat Command.

Before 1939 the Army's air arm was a fledgling organization; by the end of the war the Army Air Forces had become a major military organization comprised of many air forces, commands, divisions, wings, groups, and squadrons, plus an assortment of other organizations.

The National Security Act of 1947 created the Department of the Air Force. Under the Department of the Air Force, the act established the United States Air Force, headed by the Chief of Staff, USAF. On Sept. 18, 1947, W. Stuart Symington became Secretary of the Air Force, and on Sept. 26, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff.

The information in this article about the U.S. Air Force was found at this web site - http://www.af.mil/history/overview.asp. It is full of other historical AF information for you to read.

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations within Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Throughout the history of our nation, Hispanic-American service members have embodied the military core values for generations. From the birth of our nation to the current Global War on Terrorism, Hispanic American service members have effectively provided strength and leadership in defending freedoms of the United States.

For the next four weeks in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, DMAVA will highlight major accomplishments and Hispanic contributions to military service.

DMAVA celebrates the contributions of Hispanic-American service members and their importance to the nation in the past, present and future.

During the National Rifle Championships held at Camp Perry, Ohio, July 30-Aug. 5, 108th Air Refueling Wing Senior Master Sgt. Joe Burkel placed in the top 10 percent of over 1,100 competitors, which earned him the United States Air Force Distinguished Rifleman Badge.

Sgt. Burkel shot a 474- 9X in the Excellence in Competition Match, which placed him over the 30 points needed to be awarded the coveted USAF Badge.

In the history of the Air Force, less than 310 of these badges have been awarded.

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.

Join the New Jersey Elks at their Second Annual Picnic being held at the Elks Old Bridge Lodge #2229, 67 Old Amboy Road, Old Bridge, from noon to 4 p.m, Sunday, Sept. 17. All proceeds from this picnic will be distributed among the families of New Jersey’s “Severely Wounded Soldiers.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years old.

Entertainers for the afternoon number – the Army 63rd Band, Blessed Sacrament Drum & Bugle Corps, and The Grenadiers Drum & Bugle Corps, NJ State Police Bagpipers, Army Silent Drill Team, and other music groups. While listening to the various musical groups, you can enjoy the food and drink being offered, to include: beer, soda, bottled water, hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, sausage, pizza, chips, baked goods, and more.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks raised more than $150,000 at the previous year’s picnic. There were more than 2000 members and family members, along with the families of the service members. All the food, refreshments and entertainment were donated.

Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home staff and residents will take part in the end of summer celebration Pig Roast/Luau. The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Pavilion. In addition there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. The roast is sponsored by Bill Riley (a Veteran) of Ralf's BBQ in northern N.J. There will also be music by Joe Paris.

Several members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing accompanied dozens of other military members to the Philadelphia Eagles training camp’s Military Appreciation Day August 14.

Chief Master Sgt. Marvin C. Nichols, an in-flight refueling supervisor, Master Sgt. Jerold K. Walker an operations resource manager, Master Sgt. Sandra L. Imes, a communications specialist, Staff Sgt. Heather E. Erickson, a medical logistics journeyman, and Senior Airman Wayne R. Hassall, a bioenvironmental engineering apprentice, all came out for the early morning event, which was held at Lehigh University’s Goodman Campus in Bethlehem, Penn.

Chief Nichols, Sergeants Imes, Walker and Erickson, and Airman Hassall all got to meet their favorite players, like quarterback Donovan McNabb, free safety Brian Dawkins, and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

“I can’t believe I met him!” Sergeant Erickson said, shortly after meeting McNabb.

National Guard Month at Six Flags

September is National Guard month at Six Flags. During September, National Guard members can receive free general admission one-day tickets to any U.S. Six Flags theme park, water park or property. Just go to www.sixflags.com/nationalguard/, print out the voucher and take it to the park’s ticket window with your active military ID to get your tickets.

The voucher is good for up to four complimentary admissions and there is a limit of one voucher per Guard member during the month of September. If the Guard member is on active duty, the spouse can use their military ID and voucher for admission.

All of the parks are listed on the web site along with the dates they are open in September.

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Fort Dix Annual Retirement Day, Sept 16

On Saturday, Sept. 16, Fort Dix will host their annual Retiree Appreciation Day. This is a day that Fort Dix has set aside to honor the retired community with guest speakers, information tables, refreshments, medical screenings and a luncheon. The day's activities, held at Griffith Field House, begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

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Rolling Thunder Freedom Run, Sept. 17

Rolling Thunder Chapter2 is holding Freedom Run XI on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Warinanco Park, Roselle, N.J. Departure time is 8 a.m., riding to N.J. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Holmdel. You will need $3 to cover tolls, expenses and donation to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation and Vietnam Era Education Center. For more info, please call 609-971-3544.

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3rd Annual Frank T. Carvill scholarship dinner Sept. 21

The third annual Frank T. Carvill scholarship dinner honoring Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas H. Slowinski will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at The Landmark II, 26 Route 17 South, East Rutherford, N.J., 07073, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $85 per ticket, for a full buffet dinner, open bar and a live band. For tickets, call 201-457-9000.

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Military pricing on tickets to Sesame Street show

The Theater at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, is offering discount tickets to military members and their families to attend Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music.” The show will be held on Sept. 21 and 22 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. 2 and 5:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $8-22 each depending on day and show time.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please e-mail Barbara.harbison@ njdmava.state.nj..us or call (609) 530-7088 for the form needed to send with payment for the tickets.

The Schmidt-Hoeger VFW Post # 3149 of Carlstadt, N.J., will honor the memory and sacrifice of New Jersey Army National Guardsman Staff Sergeant Frank T. Carvill. On Thursday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m., during a special ceremony, a plaque will be placed on the Memorial Stone in the Memorial Park of Carlstadt at the corner of Division Ave. and Hackensack St. Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony.

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 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 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.

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

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Marriage Enrichment Seminar

Due to the success of the Marriage Enrichment Seminars, also known as Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), we have requested and have been approved for additional funding. Another seminar has been scheduled for Sept. 22-24. This will be the last seminar for FY06. If you have never attended the seminar, call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739 for more information and or to register. This seminar is open to all NJNG Soldiers. Soldiers that have been deployed will be given priority.

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Guard Family Action Plan

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.

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Spouses invited to go on orientation flights

The 108th Air Refueling Wing would like to extend an invitation to the spouses of New Jersey Army and Air National Guardsmen and women who would like to see an aerial refueling up close.

The wing will be having a spouse-only orientation flight on August 18. This is a great opportunity for spouses to see the skills needed to fuel an aircraft more than 20,000 feet in the air. Seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to get a seat, don’t worry. The 108th will have more flights to follow to give everyone a chance to fly.

If you are interested, please call Staff Sgt. Beth Pritchard at (609) 754-4173 or e-mail at elizabeth.Pritchard@njmcgu.ang.af.mil for the form needed to request a seat.

Guard members who would like an orientation flight or would like to nominate their bosses for a flight can also contact Staff Sgt. Pritchard for information and forms.

Bordentown Armory – B Co 250th SBF & Co D 250th BSB – Sept. 16, 10 a.m.
Hammonton Armory – 119th SB Corps – Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Jersey City Armory – D Co 2-113th – Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
Lawrenceville Armory – 50th PSB – Sept. 21, 7 p.m.; 50th Fin Bn – Oct. 14, 2 p.m.
Morristown Armory – 3-112th & 5/117th –
Newark Armory – A, B, E Co’s 2-113th Inf – Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
Port Murray Armory – 2-102nd Arm –
Teaneck Armory – 50th SBM – Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Toms River Armory – C/3-112th FA –
West Orange Armory – B Co 5/117th Cav – Sept. 23, 1 p.m.
Woodbury Armory – Trp C 5.117th Cav –

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.

Picatinny Arsenal Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office is proud to announce new opportunities for Veterans. As part of the Army's "Always a Soldier" program, Picatinny's Frog Falls Waterpark and Golf Course are now open to veterans as well as Active Duty and Retired Military and Reservists. Frog Falls Waterpark offers annual memberships to veterans through our partnership with Rockaway Township Recreation. Active Duty and Retired Military and Reservists can purchase an annual membership or visit the Waterpark for a $3 daily fee. Guest passes (for non-dependents) can be purchased at the gate for $7 (limit of 4 per visit). Please call (973) 724-7275 for more information. Picatinny Golf Course is also open to Veterans. Please call (973) 724-GOLF for more information.

The 10th Annual Lt. Col. Dave Savino Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Fountain Green Golf Course, Fort Dix on Monday, Sept. 18. Format will be two person scramble (best ball). Donation to play is $85 per person which includes greens fees, cart, refreshments and door prizes. A buffet lunch will be held after the tournament. For more information, call 609-754-2048.

The Freedom Riders “Support Our Troops” Motorcycle Run is scheduled for October 14, 2006 (October 15 – Rain date). Proceeds benefit the Freedom Alliance Foundation providing: Educational scholarships to the children of American’s Military Heroes that have given the Ultimate Sacrifice; pre-paid long-distance phone cards, gift cards for clothing, food, toiletries, books and magazines for the injured in our hospital; and funding for family members to travel to see and encourage their loved one.

Applications for the 2006 Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, held each year at Island Beach State Park, are now available. Early registrants save on adult registration fees, are eligible for special prizes offered to pre- registrants and avoid delays - pre-registration ensures timely entry to the park.

The tournament will be held Sunday, October 1st. Fishing begins at 6:30am. A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament, and there are winners in male, female, teen and child categories. Don't miss this exciting family event!

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.

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

On Sept. 16, at 1 p.m., there will be a dedication of the Pennsylvania War Dog Memorial at the Bristol Township Municipal Building. The memorial will honor the military dogs and their handlers who have served our country proudly in both war and peace.

The War Dog Memorial will be part of a newly landscaped memorial garden situated near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial statue and the memorial honoring Bristol Township’s police, fire and emergency services personnel. The municipal building is located at 2501 Bath Road, Bristol, Penn.

The Trenton Vet Center is sponsoring a one-day event offering free medical exams and readjustment services with information about VA medical benefits and employment services to veterans on Sept 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the VA New Jersey Health Care System, the event will be held at the Trenton Vet Center, 934 Parkway Ave., Ewing. For more information call (609) 882-5744.

The Northern New Jersey Stand Down 2006, a one-day outreach to assist homeless veterans and their dependents, will be held at the Cherry Hill Armory, Sept. 22, beginning at 8 a.m.

Many services will be offered to the veterans who take part in the program, including veterans and medical benefits information, social services, employment services, substance abuse programs, recovery programs, photo ID, PTSD counseling, legal services, clothing and more.

The armory is located at Grove Street and Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, N.J. A hot lunch will be provided.

The Vietnam Era Forum will be held this year on Friday, Oct. 20. The theme is "Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Since the War." Keynote Speaker will be Jan C. Scruggs, founder of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

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.

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.

Charles H. Johnson, Vietnam veteran and poet, will have a reading of his latest book of poetry at the Vietnam Era Educational Center on August 12. Johnson of Hillsborough, N.J., is a graduate of the ROTC program at Rutgers University and a retired captain in the US Army Reserve. From 1970 to 1971, he was a first lieutenant and an infantry platoon leader for the 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam. He is the author of “Tunnel Vision” and numerous poems about Vietnam. Three of his poems are engraved on the Plainsboro Veterans Memorial sculpture in Plainsboro, NJ. Johnson conducts poetry workshops for high school students and teachers throughout New Jersey, and serves as a night editor and poetry reviewer for the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, N.J.

Johnson's book, Sam's Place, consists of free verse concerning the poet's service as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam and haiku about his dreams of America while he served overseas. Other poetry in the collection relates the poet's reaction to the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and how he deals with the ever-present reality of war and its consequences.

Sept. 17 / 12:30 p.m. / Arrival of the Rolling Thunder-NJ motorcycle run for POW/MIA awareness, leaving Warinaco Park, Elizabeth at 11 a.m.

Oct. 14 / 1 p.m. / "Vietnam: A View You Have Never Seen Before," a slide show with discussion about folk life in modern Vietnam by NJ school teacher Ken Mayberg.

Oct. 20 / 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. / "Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Since the War," the 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Forum on the Vietnam Era, featuring as Keynote Speaker, Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Pre-registration required.

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.

Beginning June 9, National Guard and reserve members released from active duty will get the same veterans’ hiring preference for federal jobs as those who are separated or retired from regular active-duty assignments.

Under the new rules, which Congress approved last year as part of the 2006 Defense Authorization Act, the definition of a veteran expands for the purposes of getting extra credit when seeking a federal job. Previously, veterans’ preference applied only to people “separated” from active duty under honorable conditions.

Under the new policy, hiring preference would extend to any person discharged or released from active duty if they had more than 180 consecutive days of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, served in a war or in a campaign for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal was authorized. Also, the person who is discharged or released must have received an honorable or general discharge.

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.

· 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.

Sept. 15 – Make a Hat Day.
Sept. 16 – Collect Rocks Day, Women’s Friendship Day
Sept. 17 – Apple Dumpling Day
Sept. 18– International Peace Day
Sept. 19 – International Talk Like a Pirate Day, National Play Doh Day, National Butterscotch Pudding Day
Sept. 20 – Gibberish Day, National Rum Punch Day
Sept. 21 – Miniature Golf Day, Get Out of Town Today Day

Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be depicted on a U.S. coin. A penny was issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Until 1965, pennies were legal tender only up to 25 cents. A creditor couldn’t be forced to accept more than 25 pennies in payment of a debt.

During World War II, the U.S. minted pennies made of steel to conserve copper for making artillery shells.