New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

26 September 2003

Volume 2, Number 24

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria Falca-Dodson

Deputy Adjutant General

COL (Ret) Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

 

"The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn."

.David Russell

 

It's a  Girl...

Congratulations to

CPT Staci Irvin

(Installations Division) and husband, Rick, on the birth of their daughter, Emily Madison

7 lbs. 2 oz.

On 13 September 2003

 

 Congratulations!

SMSgt Dennis M. Joyce

on your selection as

"Man of the Year"

by New Jersey's

Ancient Order of Hibernians

 

Veterans honored at Toms River ceremony.

Brigadier General Eugene Chojnacki presented the NJ Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Medals to 177 veterans at a ceremony on 23 September 2003.  The ceremony was held at the Elks Lodge in Toms River.  Honored guests at the ceremony included Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, Mr. John Dorrity, Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, and Mr. Larry St. Laurent, Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau (Retired).  Master of Ceremonies, CW5 (Ret) Bob Wimberly, was assisted by Department employees, Karen Hansen, Michelle Johnson, and TSgt Barbara Harbison.                          

Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park welcomes new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Joseph Brandspiegel began employment as the new Chief Executive Officer at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park on 22 September 2003.  Mr. Brandspiegel joins us from the private sector where he worked more than 28 years.  He looks forward to a professional and personal relationship with staff members, families, and Veterans organizations, and is committed to make our residents' lives comfortable and pleasant.  Good luck, Mr. Brandspiegel!

Hurricane Isabel.

The NJ National Guard's preparation to provide military support to Civil Authorities operations in response to the effects of Hurricane Isabel on the NJ National Guard Area of Operations was thorough and timely.  Anticipated missions included the planning and coordination of NJ Army and Air National Guard assets for the possible evacuation and sheltering of displaced civilians, medical support, security operations civil engineering support, food service support, critical infrastructure security and to facilitate mutual support operations with neighboring states if required.  Congratulations to all for successfully accomplishing the Adjutant General's objectives and completing this mission in a safe and professional manner.

The Department of Veterans Affairs seeks former POWs for possible benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is asking former prisoners of war, not currently using VA benefits, to contact the agency to find out if they may be eligible for disability compensation and other services.  More than 23,000 former POWs already receive VA compensation.  This year, the department mailed information about benefits to another 4,700 known ex-POWs not on its rolls.  However, the VA estimates there could be as many as 11,000 more POWs for whom it does not have an address.  Former POWs not receiving benefits, who did not receive a letter from the VA recently, should call the department at 1-800-827-1000.  Former POWs have a special eligibility for enrollment in VA medical care, and are exempt from making co-payments for inpatient and outpatient medical care.  Free dental treatment is available for former POWs held for more than 90 days.

Vietnam, Distinguished and Meritorious Service Medal Presentation Ceremonies are scheduled.

30 September

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Vietnam Service Medal

Hall of Heroes, Institute of Safety

281 Camp Gaw Rd., Mahwah, NJ

7 October

11 a.m.

Distinguished Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Ocean City Music Pier

7th & Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ

22 October

11 a.m.

Vietnam Service Medal

National Guard Armory

1060 Hamilton Avenue, Somerset, NJ

29 October

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Vietnam Service Medal

National Guard Armory

National Guard Training Center

Sea Girt, NJ

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

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

17 Oct

9 a.m.

Capturing the Imagination - The Art, Music, Theater, Poetry, and Prose of the Vietnam Veteran

11 Nov

11 a.m.

Veterans Day Ceremony

13 Dec

6 p.m.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

The NJ National Guard will participate in Woodbury's 8th Annual Colonial Day.

The town of Woodbury will hold its 8th annual Colonial Day on Saturday, 27 September 2003, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Members of our National Guard are volunteering to assist with the activities.  Attractions will include canoe rides at the Woodbury Creek, free trolley tours, Martha Washington and Colonial Guardsmen, horse and buggy rides, basket weavers, children's colonial crafts, games, dancing, food, and much more.  Rain date will be 28 September 2003.

Computer virus spread by the use of "links."

The newest wave in virus transfer is to send e-mail with a link.  The e-mail may be from someone you don't know, or may be spoofed (looks like it comes from someone you know, but really doesn't), and may say something like "check out this cool link" or "view the marketing presentation."  The only requirement is that the item is executable, e.g. a web page or automated presentation.  The user clicks onto the link and sees what appears to be a legitimate link or presentation.  The link is actually a piece of software designed to manifest itself as something legitimate, leading the receiver to believe it is ok to link to another site.  The user follows the link, which deploys a damaging virus to your computer.

Today in History.

Today is Friday, September 26, the 269th day of 2003. There are 96 days left in the year. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, begins at sunset, marking the start of the year 5764, according to the Hebrew calendar.

         In 1789, Thomas Jefferson was appointed America's first Secretary of State.

         In 1914, The U. S. Federal Trade Commission was established.

         In 1960, the first televised debate between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy took place in Chicago.

         In 1985, Shamu was born at Sea World in Orlando, Florida.  Shamu was the first killer whale to survive being born in captivity.

         In 1996, Shannon Lucid returned to Earth after being in space for 188 days.  The time set a record for a U.S. astronaut and a woman.

Interesting facts.. 

J   In one day, your heart beats over 100,000 times.

J   The python is the world's longest snake.

J   The eye expands up to 45% when looking at something pleasing.

J   The first telephone book ever issued contained only 50 names.

J   The most sensitive parts of the body are the mouth and fingertips.

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

25-28 September

Ceramics & Porcelain Doll Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

29 Sep - 8 Oct

Carpet & Furniture Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

3 October

Wrestling

Cherry Hill Armory

12 October

Sports Card, Comics & Beanies

Bordentown Armory

19 October

Toy Show

Freehold Armory

24 - 26 October

Craft Show and Sale

Morristown Armory

24 - 26 October

Tool Show

Woodbridge Armory

25 October

Fundraiser - Breast Cancer 5K Race

NGTC, Sea Girt

31 Oct - 2 Nov

Antique Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

2 November

NASCAR Collectibles

Bordentown Armory

Energy Saving Facts.

F       If Americans unplugged their televisions when they turned them off, they'd save 8.45 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year.  That's twice the amount produced by the Hoover Dam.

F       If SUVs complied with the same fuel-economy standards as ordinary cars, the U.S. would save one million barrels of oil a day, more than the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge could produce at peak volume.

F       Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 3.5 hours.

F       On average, a homeowner with an automatic sprinkler system over waters his lawn by 112,000 gallons a year.

F       Sixty-five million trees are cut down to make the 500 pieces of junk mail sent each year to every person in the country.

"Hailing Our Heroes" - A concert for the troops.

The USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey is pleased to announce that active, Guard, Reserve, and retired military personnel in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are invited to attend an incredible, day-long, USO concert at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware on Saturday, October 11, 2003.  The concert will run from noon to 10 p.m., and is open to Department of Defense ID card holders and their dependents.  Cardholders over the age of 18 are permitted to bring one guest.  Parking for all attendees will be at the old Bergold's Farm, which is located on Route 9, just south of Dover Air Force Base.  Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs.  For further information, contact USO Delaware (302) 677-2491.

Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Legal Statement | Accessibility Statement NJ.gov
NJ National Guard Family Programs Open Public Records Act
The Governor's Office The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs The Department of State The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs