New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

Dmva Highlights
DMVA Weekly Highlights
25 October 2002
Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith
Current DMVA Highlights


1. VETERANS HAVEN HONORS ITS FOUNDER, THE LATE LTC (RET) STEVEN WILFING.

2. NEW JERSEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WOMEN VETERANS IS SPONSORING A LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2002 AT McATEERS RESTAURANT.

3. THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORTS THE COMBAT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER (CMTC).

4. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD’S MEN’S TEAM FOR ITS THIRD PLACE FINISH IN THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY’S “ARMY TEN MILER.”

5. BG WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PLAYED HOST TO THE NEW STATE COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION.

6. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE “RED RIBBON WEEK” ENHANCES ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS.

7. FLU SHOTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2002, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

8. THE DIVISION OF VETERAN SERVICES HOSTS PRE-CONFERENCE PLANNING MEETING.

9. 177th FIGHTER WING DEDICATES “SPIRIT OF BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP F-16.”

10. ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2003 NEW JERSEY STATE EMPLOYEES TAX SAVINGS PROGRAM AND OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM ENDS ON 31 OCTOBER 2002.

11. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MILITARY CHILDREN OPENS 1 NOVEMBER 2002.

12. MARK YOUR CALENDAR -- DMVA’S HOLIDAY DINNER IS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2002.

13. EASTERN STANDARD TIME BEGINS AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING.

14. ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!

15. PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTINUES…
? Who was the shortest American president?
? Who was the tallest American president?
? Which president grew up as an orphan?

? ? ? ? ? ?


1. VETERANS HAVEN HONORS ITS FOUNDER, THE LATE LTC (RET) STEVEN WILFING. On Thursday, 24 October 2002, LTC Steve Wilfing was memorialized at a ceremony in front of the Transitional Housing Unit he established for homeless veterans. LTC Wilfing’s son, Steven, spoke on behalf of his mother, sister, and other family members who were also in attendance. The Adjutant General praised the important work that is being done at Veterans Haven, and LTC Wayne Hunt shared thoughts on Steve Wilfing, the man. Following the remarks, BG Glenn K. Rieth, with the help of the Wilfing family, unveiled a red granite monument that will forever record LTC Wilfing’s vision, which has now become a reality.

2. NEW JERSEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WOMEN VETERANS IS SPONSORING A LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2002 AT McATEERS RESTAURANT. The Committee welcomes women veterans of all service branches and their guests to this luncheon. CW4 Judith McCabe will be the keynote speaker, along with a “fashion show” of women’s military uniforms from World War II to the present.

3. THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORTS THE COMBAT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER. In the first deployment of its kind for a NJARNG aviation unit, 20 soldiers from New Jersey deployed on 01 October 2002 to support aviation operations at the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in Hohenfels,Germany. These soldiers, primarily from B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment stationed at AASF #2 in Picatinny Arsenal, were gone for 21 days. While at CMTC, the New Jersey Aircrews augmented the Ravens (Opposing Forces) and Falcons (Observer Controllers), which are the aviation assets stationed at CMTC. The Ravens and Falcons remain some of the last units on active duty equipped with UH-1H “Huey” helicopters, and are more and more reliant on National Guard augmentation. The New Jersey aviators conducted aviation operations, including night vision goggle, terrain flight mission planning, terrain flight, terrain flight navigation, maintenance, refueling, flight following, and logistics throughout deployment. An intensive train-up occurred during Annual Training 2002 and culminated with in-country qualification upon their arrival. The soldiers, who are all volunteers, executed their mission and safely returned home to New Jersey.

4. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD’S MEN’S TEAM FOR ITS THIRD PLACE FINISH IN THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY’S “ARMY TEN MILER.” Over 20,000 runners from across the country participated in this year’s race, which was held last weekend in our nation’s capital. New Jersey’s winning team was led by: SFC Alex Estrada, RTSM; MAJ Mark Piterski, 50th MSB; SPC Anthony Christy, 2-102nd AR; and SSG Don Brandelli, RTSM. Other members of the team were SPC Sean Chapman, 150th Aviation; SPC Luis Gonzalez,RTSM; and CPT (P) Jemal Beale, TAG-IG. Non-team members representing the NJ Guard were CPT Tracy Norman, 50th MSB and CW4 Christopher Perron, 250th FSB. Way to go!!!!

5. BG WILLIAM C. DOYLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY PLAYED HOST TO THE NEW STATE COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION. On Wednesday, the Director of Veterans Services welcomed Billy Mack, the American Legion’s new State Commander, and his staff to the state’s Veterans Cemetery. Commander Mack and his staff received briefings on the cemetery’s operations and the ongoing expansion and improvement program followed by a tour of the facility. The American Legion continues to be a faithful supporter of the BG Doyle cemetery.

6. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE “RED RIBBON WEEK” ENHANCES ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS. The Department of Defense will showcase its anti-drug awareness and educational activities in American neighborhoods and schools during the 12th annual “Red Ribbon Week” at the Pentagon, October 21-23, 2002. The purpose of this special week is to focus attention on the destructive effects that drugs have on our nation. This year’s theme is “Freedom is Drug Free: Plant the Promise.”

7. FLU SHOTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2002, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1 P.M. Staff from the Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park will distribute the flu shots. We will have a limited number of flu shots, and they will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in receiving a flu shot, please furnish your name and phone number to Robin Spaulding, Director, Human Resources Division, at robin.spaulding@njdmava.state.nj.us not later than 6 November 2002.

8. THE DIVISION OF VETERAN SERVICES HOSTS PRE-CONFERENCE PLANNING MEETING. The Executive Committee of the Association of State Cemetery Directors meet this week in Atlantic City. During the two-day marathon meeting, they were able to set the agenda and make arrangements for their upcoming 2003 Training Conference. The Division of Veterans Services will host the Veterans Administration’s States Cemetery Grants Office sponsored conference which will also be held in Atlantic City this coming September. The goal of the conference is to find ways to “Better Serve Those Who Served.”

9. 177th FIGHTER WING DEDICATES “SPIRIT OF BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP F-16 at 1000 hours on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 at the 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. The aircraft dedication program symbolizes the strong ties that exist between the Wing and its communities, and the outstanding support those communities have shown the unit. Many members of the 177th live in these communities and, as citizen airmen, “We wish to use this opportunity to reassert the important connection between the communities from which we come and the missions we fulfill around the world,” stated Colonel Michael Cosby, Commander 177th Fighter Wing. “What better way to show our appreciation than dedicating one of our aircraft which has been a time honored tradition since the earliest days of aviation.”

10. ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2003 NEW JERSEY STATE EMPLOYEES TAX SAVINGS PROGRAM AND OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM ENDS ON 31 OCTOBER 2002. Anyone who has any questions or wishes to make any benefit changes, should contact their Human Resources Division.

11. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MILITARY CHILDREN OPENS 1 NOVEMBER 2002. The 2003 Scholarship Program opens for business on November 1st with the essay topic “How has being the child of a military service member influenced your educational goals?” The non-profit Fisher House Foundation, best known for building family comfort homes near military medical facilities, administers the Scholarships for Military Children Program. The program has awarded 920 scholarships and nearly $1.5 million in is first two years. Applications for the 2003 program can be downloaded from http://www.fisherhouse.org starting November 1. They can also be picked up at any commissary. The deadline for returning applications by hand or mail to a commissary is February 21, 2003. The program is open to unmarried children (under the age of 23) of active duty personnel, Reserve, Guard, and retired military. All applicants must be citizens of the United States and must be attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university full-time in the fall term of 2003.

12. MARK YOUR CALENDAR….DMVA’S HOLIDAY DINNER IS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2002, on the Drill Floor at Headquarters Building 3650, Fort Dix, New Jersey. Cocktails – 6-7 p.m., Dinner/Dancing 7-11 p.m. Cost: $15.00 per person. Make your reservation early as the cost rises to $20 after 29 November.

13. EASTERN STANDARDTIME BEGINS AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

14. ARMORY HAPPENINGS…CHECK TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU!

25-27 Oct Craft Show and Sale Morristown Armory
26 Oct Tool Show Dover Armory
26 Oct 5K Race for Breast Cancer (Fundraiser) Sea Girt Armory
27 Oct EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Sale Bordentown Armory
30 Oct – 3 Nov Antiques Show and Sale Morristown Armory
30 Oct – 3 Nov Tool Show Cherry Hill Armory
1-3 Nov Craft Show Westfield Armory
9 Nov Professional Wrestling Mt. Holly Armory
16 Nov Danger Zone Championship Wrestling Bordentown Armory
23 & 24 Nov EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown Armory
1 Dec NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory
15 Dec EMCEE Sports Cards & Comics Show Bordentown Armory

15. PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTINUES…
? Who was the shortest American president?
James Madison stood only 5’4”. He was probably the lightest American
president in history. He weighed in at only a hundred pounds.
? Who was the tallest American president?
Easy one. Abraham Lincoln was 6’4”.
? Which president grew up as an orphan?
By the time he was nine years old, Herbert Hoover had lost both parents.

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