DMVA Weekly Highlights
25 April 2003
Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith

1. Veterans Service Officer Secures $1,219,564 in Monetary Awards.
2. Family Separation, Imminent Danger Pays Increased.
3. "OPERATION SALUTE" - Anheuser-Busch Gives Troops and Their Families Free Admission to Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place.
4. New Jersey Army National Guard's 253rd Transportation Company Deploys to Southwest Asia.
5. Location of Committal Services at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery is Moved Due to Renovations.
6. In Progress Reviews (IPR) for Annual Training 2003.
7. DMVA Sponsors Facility Visits for Congressional Staffers.
8. Vietnam, Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are Scheduled.
9. DMVA Celebrates Unity Day on 13 June 2003.
10. NJ State Library has issued its Monthly New Book List
11. Armory Happenings - Look to see what's happening at an Armory near you.
12. National Hurricane Center's P-3 Orion "Hurricane Hunter" Aircraft will be at the Trenton-Mercer Airport on May 7, 2003.
13. Senate Confirms General Blum as the new Chief, National Guard Bureau.
14. A "Gift of Groceries" Can Help Military Families.
15. NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center Announces Upcoming Calendar of Events.
16. Warrant Officer Selected for Command Position
17. Camden River Sharks Host Military Appreciation Night - 16 July 2003.
18. FirstGov.Gov Provides Ways to Support U.S. Troops
19. VA Administration (VA) Establishes SAR Website.
20. Youth Camp 2003 Update.
21. Getting to Know New Jersey.
22. Interesting but Useless Facts.

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1. Veterans Service Officer Secures $1,219,564 in Monetary Awards for His Clients.
The effort of our Veterans Service Officer for Camden and Gloucester Counties continues to bring relief and financial assistance to those whom he serves. During the month of March, Guy Wiener was able to secure $1,219,564 in monetary awards for his clients. The awards will be received from the US Department of Veterans Affairs over the next twelve months.

2. Family Separation, Imminent Danger Pays Increased.
President Bush has signed a wartime defense supplemental bill that raises military Family Separation Allowance by $150 a month and Imminent Danger Pay by $75 a month. These increases are retroactive to October 1, 2002.

3. "OPERATION SALUTE" - Anheuser-Busch Gives Troops and Their Families Free Admission to Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place.

To express gratitude for the tremendous sacrifices of the men and women in the Armed Forces, Anheuser-Busch announced it will give free single-day admission to its Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place parks to active duty military, active Reservists, US Coast Guard, National Guardsmen, and as many as four of their direct dependents, beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and concluding on Veterans Day, November 11th. This offer has also been extended to all coalition forces serving with US troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Patrick Stokes, President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. said, "It is our privilege to offer our parks to the men and women of our armed forces and their families. It is a small gesture of thanks for the hardships endured every day by our soldiers and those closest to them.

4. New Jersey Army National Guard's 253rd Transportation Company Deploys to Southwest Asia.
As part of the coalition forces led by the United States in the war against terrorism, the 253rd Transportation Company, commanded by CPT Michael Ciarrocca, deployed to Southwest Asia on 17 April 2003. CPT Ciarrocca is a full-time manning Federal Technician assigned to the G4, Plans, Operations, and Readiness Office. We wish him ad all of his soldiers victory in their mission and a safe and speedy return home

5. Committal Services at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Ceremony are Moved Due to Renovations.
During the renovation of the Committal Plaza and the painting of the Chapel and Administration Building, Committal services at the cemetery are currently being conducted in the vicinity of the Memorial Walkway. We expect to use this location for approximately 30 days while the renovation project continues.

6. In Progress Reviews (IPR) for Annual Training 2003.
USPFO-NJ, G3, G4, Major Subordinate Commands (MSC) and selected Battalion/Squadron representatives conducted their first joint IPR for Annual Training 2003 on 9 April at Headquarters, NJ National Guard. The IPR focused on the training and logistical requirements necessary to sustain those units conducting Annual Training at different locations during various time periods. To insure quality training and logistical support are provided to all units, individuals from the USPFO-NJ, G3/G4 Office and MSC Headquarters conducted an on the ground reconnaissance of facilities and training areas located at Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA on 24 April 2003. The next IPR is scheduled for 7 May.

7. DMVA Sponsors Facility Visits for Congressional Staffers.

On Tuesday, 22 April 2003, the DMVA Office of Government Relations escorted Congressional staffers from the offices of Senators Corzine and Lautenberg, Representatives Frelinghuysen, Pallone and Holt, and representatives from the firm of Rhoads, Weber, Shandwick Government Relations on visits to Picatinny Arsenal and Fort Monmouth. The purpose of these visits was provide staffers an opportunity to obtain information for the upcoming Efficient Facilities Initiative (EFI).

8. Vietnam, Distinguished, and Meritorious Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are Scheduled.

29 Apr - 11 a.m.	Vietnam Service Medal	National Guard Armory Somerset, NJ
3 May - 12 p.m.	Vietnam Service Medal	Naval Air Station Wildwood Cape May Airport Cape May, NJ
7 May - 12 p.m.	Vietnam Service Medal	NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Holmdel, NJ
15 May- 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.	Distinguished & Meritorious Service Medals	National Guard Armory Teaneck, NJ
21 May - 11 a.m.	Distinguished & Meritorious Service Medals	National Guard Armory Port Murray, NJ
26 May - 10 a.m.	Distinguished Service Medal	Township Hall 66 Main Street, West Orange
29 May - 11 a.m.	Distinguished & Meritorious Service Medals	Midtown Community School 23rd St & Avenue A, Bayonne

9. DMVA Celebrates Unity Day on 13 June 2003.
The theme for this year's celebration will be "New Jersey - Together We Can Make a Difference." The day's festivities will take place at the HQs New Jersey National Guard, Fort Dix, NJ. Committees are forming now. If you or anyone you know would like to work on a committee or set up a display of your own, please contact MSgt Kathy McCready at 509-562-0854 or DSN 944-0854.

10. New Jersey State Library has issued its latest New Book List.
The listing of new books is issued on a monthly basis and is available via email delivery. You can sign up for this service by sending your email address to: ppolo@njstatelib.org. The New Jersey State Library also has over 8,000 electronic books available for your use. eBooks are electronic versions of printed books and can be viewed online on any PC connected to the internet. In order to access this collection you must complete the Account Request form at: http://njstatelib.org/cybercdesk/netlibrary/requestform.htm

Listed below are a few suggested books from this month's list:

NY Times Best Sellers - Non-Fiction
Michaelangelo & the Pope's Ceiling
King, Ross. Walker & Company, 2003

Computers
Creating Dynamic Multimedia Presentations: Using PowerPoint.
Thompson/Southwestern, 2003

Environment Ecology
Killing Me Softly: Toxic Waste, Corporate Profit, and the struggle for Environmental Justice.
Girdner, Eddie. Monthly Review Press, 2002

History
They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War.
Blanton, DeAnne. University Press

Social Issues
If I Live to Be 100: Lessons from Centenarians
Ellis, Neenah Crown, 2002

Miscellaneous
Something for Nothing: Luck in America
Lears, T. J. Jackson Viking, 2003

11. Armory Happenings - Look to see what's happening at an Armory near you.

12. National Hurricane Center's P-3 Orion "Hurricane Hunter" Aircraft will be at the Trenton-Mercer Airport, Mercer County, NJ on May 7, 2003.
The National Weather Service (NWS) and the NJ Office of Emergency Management announced the aircraft's visit as part of the National Hurricane Center's 2003 Hurricane Awareness Tour. The plane will be situated at Ronson Aviation's General Aviation Hangar, easily accessed from Exit 3, Scotch Road, I-95, Mercer County, NJ. The airplane will be available for public tours from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. The NWS, State Police Aviation, the American Red Cross and others will also provide displays. Everyone is invited to tour the aircraft and talk with the crew and representatives of the National Hurricane Center.

13. Senate Confirms General Blum as the New Chief, National Guard Bureau (NGB).
MG H. Steven Blum of the Maryland National Guard will be promoted to Lieutenant General as Chief of the 466,000 members of the Army and Air National Guard. MG Blum succeeds Lt. Gen Russell Davis, who retired in August 2002 as NGB Chief. General Blum has been Chief of Staff for the Commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD since August. He helped form NORTHCOM, the new organization responsible for homeland security. The NGB Chief is the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all policies and plans affecting Army and Air National Guard personnel. Guard forces are currently involved in the largest mobilization of reserve-component troops since World War II.

14. A "Gift of Groceries" Can Help Military Families.
Deployments are on the rise, Guard and Reserve personnel are being activated by the thousands, and the upheaval in the lives of military families can involve economic needs as well as emotional. Sometimes the need is long-term, such as the loss of a higher paying civilian paycheck. And sometimes the need is temporary, such as a deployment that takes place before family finances are in order. More than ever, average Americans are jumping in to help military families with donated services, money, and now - groceries by participating in the "Gift of Groceries." This program allows anyone to purchase gift certificates through http://www.commissaries.com or through the toll-free number 877-770-4438. The certificates can be donated to military families through charitable organizations or given directly to military friends and family, but only authorized shoppers can spend them at any of the nearly 280 commissaries serving the U.S. armed services worldwide.

15. NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center Announces Upcoming Calendar of Events.

16. Warrant Officer Selected for Command Position.
LTC Anthony Formica, Commander of the Soldier Support Battalion (SSB), and CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the NJ National Guard, jointly announced the selection of CW2 Maria Rodriguez as Commander of Charlie Company, Soldier Support Battalion. Chief Rodriguez is assigned as a Military Personnel Technician in HQ STARC militarily, and works as a full-time technician Auditor with the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USP&FO) during the week.

17. Camden River Sharks will host Military Appreciation Night - 16 July 2003.
The Camden River Sharks have graciously designated 16 July as Military Appreciation Night - a night to honor military members and their families. The River Sharks are a member of baseball's independent Atlantic League and call Campbell's Field in Camden their home turf.

18. FirstGov.Gov Provides Ways to Support U.S. Troops
FirstGov.gov, the government's official web portal, lists various online government services that help Americans offer support to service members. Individuals can send messages to the troops, sign a general card of support, or even buy a much-needed phone card so the troops have an easy way to call their loved ones at home. These services are featured on the http://www.FirstGov.gov home page under the heading, "Help Our Troops and the USA." FirstGov.gov connects citizens to more than 22,000 federal websites and all state government portals as well. Visitors to the site can obtain information, find out about government services, and transact business directly online. Currently, more than 1.3 million visitors come to FirstGov.gov each week.

19. Veterans Administration (VA) Establishes a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Website.
The VA is greatly concerned about reports of the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, from Asia to other parts of the world. SARS is a serious illness characterized by fever and other flu-like symptoms that progress rapidly to pneumonia and other problems. The VA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards has set up an informational website: http://publichealth.va.gov/SARS.

20. Youth Camp 2003 Update…
Mrs. Joanne Grieco, Youth Camp Director, reports that plans are underway for the 9th Annual National Guard Youth Camp being held in Sea Girt, New Jersey, on 6-12 July. The deadline for the submission of applications for campers, staff, and volunteers is 15 May 2003. Applications can be downloaded at: http://www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html.

21. Getting to know New Jersey -
The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the state bug, having been so designated by Chapter 42 of the Laws of 1974. The Legislature enacted the bill, A-671, and Governor Brendan T. Byrne signed it June 20, 1974. They were encouraged by a group of children from the Sunnybrae School in Hamilton Township, who came to the State House with a presentation that included a song and a poem. Despite the official designation, scientists do not classify the bee as a bug. Despite the official designation, scientists do not classify the bee as a bug. The bee is listed in the order Hymenoptera, which means "membranous wings," while true bugs are listed in the order Hemiptera.

22. Interesting but useless facts…

• A honeybee can fly 15 miles an hour.
• A queen bee can lay 800-1500 eggs a day.
• A bee has five eyes.
• The average speed of a housefly is 4.5 miles an hour.
• Mosquitoes are attracted to people who have recently eaten bananas.