1. THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSISTS VETERANS HOME DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY.

2. NJ CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO RESERVISTS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY.

3. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF NJ CONFERENCE ENDS MARCH 15, 2003.

4. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD UNITS CAN COMPETE FOR ARMY DEPLOYMENT AWARD.

5. BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PRESENTS REFORESTATION PLAN AT OPEN PUBLIC MEETNG.

6. NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD WELCOMES ITS NEWEST ARMY AVIATOR WARRANT OFFICER.

7. NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU'S COMMAND LOGISTICS REVIEW TEAM VISITS 24-28 FEBRUARY 2003.

8. 254TH REGIMENT HOSTS REGION A COMBAT ARMS - THE ARMY SCHOOL SYSTEM (TASS) CONFERENCE.

9. NOMINATION PERIOD IS OPEN FOR SERVICE TO AMERICA MEDALS.

10. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

11. DMVA'S NETWORK AND SECURITY PERSONNEL PREVENT INTERNET ATTACK BY "THE SLAMMER WORM."

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

13. G1-DIRECTORATE OF PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL CONDUCT A MOBILIZATION EXERCISE (MOBEX) SOLDIER READINESS PROCESSING (SRP).

14. DMVA'S ELECTRICIAN, DARREN WILLIAMSON, HEADS OUT TO SEA.

15. THE HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE HOSTED INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM 100 & 200 NATIONAL TRAINING CURRICULUMS.

16. INTERESTING VETERAN FACTS.

17. SILLY TRIVIA…..

1. THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSISTS VETERANS HOME DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY. One of the worst snowstorms in history to hit New Jersey brought out the best in everyone. As Governor James E. McGreevey declared a State of Emergency, the staff at the Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus was able to get to work thanks to the members of the NJ National Guard. Under blizzard conditions, dedicated members of the National Guard ferried 98 staff members from their homes to work during a two-day period. Thanks to the many members of the staff working double shifts and the members of the National Guard who helped them reach work safely, the facility was able to continue to care for its residents. Everyone's cooperation was greatly appreciated.

2. NJ CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO RESERVISTS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY. Ms. Alisha Griffin, Assistant Director, NJ Department of Human Services, has notified our Department that many reservists may have child support orders and may be encountering difficulty in fulfilling their obligation, payment procedures, or other child support related issues. In an effort to prevent lapses in child support payments or unforeseen circumstances that can result in financial hardships, the NJ Child Support Program will be posting important information for military personnel on the web at www.njchildsupport.org. Upon request, outreach sessions for managers, National Guard and Reservists can be scheduled at a specified location. If you are interested in scheduling such a session, you should contact Ms. Griffin or Mr. Joe Travea at 609-588-7867.

3. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF NJ (NGANJ) CONFERENCE ENDS MARCH 15, 2003. The NGANJ's 45th Annual Conference will be held 25-27 April 2003 in Wildwood, New Jersey. If you haven't registered yet, make sure to check out the conference information on the web at www.nganj.org/conference.html and register early to save money.

4. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD UNITS CAN COMPETE FOR ARMY DEPLOYMENT AWARD. Army National Guard units that deploy for any contingency or support deploying units can compete for the Army's Deployment Excellence Award. The program recognizes units of various sizes for outstanding mission accomplishment, which meet or exceed established deployment standards, according to its stated mission. "Army Guard units have nothing to lose and a lot of recognition to gain by entering the competition," according to Henry Johnson of Fort Eustis, Program Manager of the Deployment Excellence Award. The competition year, which runs April 2002 through March 2003, covers four categories: large and small deploying units, supporting unit, and installation. Winners will receive special plaques presented by the Army Chief of Staff, plus two members of the winning units receive funded trips to the Pentagon award ceremony. Competition is through self-nomination, therefore, units need not wait for another level of command to nominate them. Details on the competition, eligibility, self-nomination procedures and checklists are available at the Deployment Excellence Award website, www.deploy.eustis.army.mil/DEA/default.htm. NGB will need the finished nomination packet by 10 April to present to the board. Nominations should be sent to:

Army National Guard Readiness Center
NGB-ARL-T
ATTN: MAJ A. Carl Williams
111 S. George Mason Drive
Arlington, VA 22204-1382

5. BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PRESENTS REFORESTATION PLAN AT OPEN PUBLIC MEETNG. In accordance with the provisions of New Jersey's Reforestation Law, in effect since last January, members of the Cemetery's Quality Review Board (QRB) presented reforestation plans to the North Hanover Township Town Council last week. The law requires that State agencies develop reforestation plans when they deforest more than a half-acre of land. The new Administration and Maintenance complex, scheduled for construction next fiscal year, falls into this category. The reforestation plan presented by the QRB was well received by the township's leaders. COL (Ret) Steve Abel also took this opportunity to update the township council on the cemetery's expansion and improvement plans. As part of the update, COL Abel showed renderings of the ongoing and upcoming projects. These renderings will be on display within the next two weeks in the DMVA cafeteria.

6. NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD WELCOMES ITS NEWEST ARMY AVIATOR WARRANT OFFICER. WO1 John N. Koss received his wings at graduation ceremonies held in Fort Rucker, Alabama on Friday, 14 February 2003. Mr. Koss' wings were pinned by family members and marked the end of more than a year of flight school at Fort Rucker. Mr. Koss had graduated from Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) on January 31, 2002 on the Commandant's List, and remained in Alabama for Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) training. Mr. Koss will be assigned to the position of Aircrew Survivability Equipment and Electronic Warfare (ASE/EW) Officer in D Troop, 5/117th CAV as an AH-64 Attack helicopter Pilot.

7. NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU'S COMMAND LOGISTICS REVIEW TEAM (CLRT) VISITS 24-28 FEB 2003. This is the final week of preparation for the CLRT visit. The team was last here in February of 1999, and will visit HQ STARC; HQ 50th Brigade; HQ 42nd DISCOM; Service Battery, 3-112th Field Artillery; 254th Regiment; HQ 50th Personnel Service Battalion; and HQ 119th Corps Support Battalion. The team will evaluate the logistical readiness of NJARNG units.

8. 254TH REGIMENT HOSTS REGION A COMBAT ARMS - THE ARMY SCHOOL SYSTEM (TASS) CONFERENCE. Headquarters 254th Regiment hosted the 4th Annual Region A Combat Arms TASS Conference on 6-8 February 2003 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Regional Training Institutes (RTIs) from the states in the northeast from Maine to New Jersey attended this conference. The conference focus was to resolve regional TASS issues, both new and old, and provide a forum for the Combat Arms Battalions (IN, AR, and FA) to get together with their companies in the region.

9. NOMINATION PERIOD IS OPEN FOR "SERVICE TO AMERICA" MEDALS. This prestigious awards program recognizes the accomplishments of America's public servants. The awards pay tribute to America's dedicated federal workforce, highlighting those who've made significant contributions to our country. Any person familiar with the nominee and his/her work may submit nominations in a variety of award categories by 2 May 2003. Additional specific eligibility requirements can be found on the website, www.govexec.com/pps.

10. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

11. DMVA'S NETWORK AND SECURITY PERSONNEL PREVENT INTERNET ATTACK BY "THE SLAMMER WORM." Last month, the Slammer or Sapphire Worm, attacked the Internet. This was the fastest computer worm in history, doubling in size every 8.5 seconds and infecting 90% of vulnerable hosts within 10 minutes. The worm began to infect hosts slightly before 05:30 UTC on Saturday, January 25, 2003, infected at least 75,000 hosts worldwide, caused network outages, and unforeseen consequences such as cancelled airline flights, interference with elections, and ATM failures. Due to the diligence of our network and security personnel, both of DMVA's networks were unaffected by this attack.

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

13. G1-DIRECTORATE OF PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL CONDUCT A MOBILIZATION EXERCISE (MOBEX) SOLDIER READINESS PROCESSING (SRP) for over 400 soldiers of the 1/114th Infantry Battalion in preparation for their Stabilization Forces (SFOR 16) rotation. The SRP will be conducted in Sea Girt, New Jersey, 22-23 February 2003. This processing allows the soldiers to update their personnel information, receive family support briefings, and process wills and power of attorneys prior to deployment.

14. DMVA'S ELECTRICIAN, DARREN WILLIAMSON, HEADS OUT TO SEA. Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Williamson of the US Naval Reserve, Earle, New Jersey, has been activated and will be spending the next year in the Indian Ocean supporting the United State's efforts against terrorism. Darren is an electrician with the Installations Division. We wish him a safe deployment.

15. THE HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE HOSTED INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM 100 & 200 NATIONAL TRAINING CURRICULUMS. The day-long classes were attended by 21multi-agency representatives from various local, state, and federal organizations. The United States Coast Guard, Atlantic Strike Team taught the course. MK1 R. E. Sauselein and LT J. N. Hanson were the instructors. MK1 Sauselein is the son of CWO (Ret) Bob Sauselin of the NJ Army National Guard.

16. INTERESTING VETERAN FACTS from the Bergen County Veterans Affairs Newsletter. The total veteran population in the United States and Puerto Rico, as of July 2000, is estimated to be 24,289,518. The population of female veterans numbered 1.2 million. In New Jersey 27,313 residents are female veterans.

17. SILLY TRIVIA…

• It's physically impossible to lick your elbow.
• No word in the English language rhymes with "MONTH."
• Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. SCARY!!!
• An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
• Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
• Average life span of a baseball: 7 pitches.
• You tried to lick your elbow, didn't you?