New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

Dmva Highlights

 

DMVA Weekly Highlights

28 March 2003

Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith

1. STATE APPROVING AGENCY IMPACTS NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

2. NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (NJARNG) SUPPORTS OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE III (ONE III).

3. STATE ACTIVE DUTY (SAD) W2s WILL BE CORRECTED BY THE NJ DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FOR SAD EARNINGS FOR TAX YEAR 2002 BASED ON FEDERAL MILITARY PAY REGULATIONS AND NJ STATE STATUTES.

4. ARMY ACTIVATES FAMILY ASSISTANCE HOTLINE.

5. COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR THE GREATER TRENTON SYMPHONY'S FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON ARE AVAILABLE.

6. AIR NATIONAL GUARD ANNOUNCES FY03 1ST QUARTER RECRUITING AND RETENTION AWARDS.

7. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT HAS TEAMED UP WITH USA FREEDOM CORPS TO LAUNCH "ON THE HOME FRONT," A NEW RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.

8. NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY PROVIDES SERVICES TO STATE EMPLOYEES ONLINE.

9. DMVA WELCOMES MR. ERNIE RAZZANO TO ITS STAFF.

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

11. FROM OF THE OFFICE OF THE G6: "SECURE YOUR E-MAIL"

12. DMVA PICNIC SCHEDULED FOR 27 JUNE 2003.

13. NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL AND VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

14. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) CONDUCTED THEIR ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE NJ VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME AT MENLO PARK DURING THE WEEK OF 17 MARCH.

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

16. GETTING TO KNOW OUR STATE - NEW JERSEY.

17. SOME WORDS NEVER LOSE THEIR MEANING OR RELEVANCE.

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1. STATE APPROVING AGENCY IMPACTS NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.
As you may know, the State Approving Authority Agency, which is part of the Veterans Service Division Team, has the responsibility for certifying educational and training programs for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA's recent report on the "Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures by State" showed that New Jerseyans received more than $29 million dollars in educational benefits during 2002. Great job, SAA!

2. NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (NJARNG) SUPPORTS OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE III (ONE III). NJARNG has been tasked to support Operation Nobel Eagle III. ONE III requires NJARNG soldiers to provide base security to Fort Dix, Ft. Monmouth, and Picatinny Arsenal. The 50th Main Support Battalion, D 112th FA and elements of the 5/117th Cavalry are scheduled to provide soldiers in support of this mission. This activation is scheduled to begin in May 2003 for a one-year duration.

3. STATE ACTIVE DUTY (SAD) W2s WILL BE CORRECTED BY THE NJ DEPARTMENTOF THE TREASURY FOR SAD EARNINGS FOR TAX YEAR 2002 BASED ON FEDERAL MILITARY PAY REGUALATIONS AND NJ STATE STATUTES. This will adjust the gross earnings not to reflect military allowances and require SAD members to submit a corrected 1040 (1040X). The State pay system does not allow for military allowances. There is a modification that will come out in the future, but until then DMVA and the Office of Management and Budget are working in concert to come up with a solution. W2Cs will be distributed through the military channels down to each and every soldier. Any questions should be forwarded to COL Steven Bell at the Homeland Security Center of Excellence at (509) 530-7021.

4. ARMY ACTIVATES FAMILY ASSISTANCE HOTLINE.
The U.S. Army has established a toll-free Family Assistance Hotline for Operation Iraqi Freedom at (800) 833-6622. The hotline will provide referrals and information to the families of deployed or activated soldiers. Staff will answer calls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Emergency service will be provided between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. EST. The hotline is intended for use only by family members of soldiers on active duty, as well as those in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve called to active duty. Additional information on deployment issues and benefits can be accessed at http://military.com/deployment?ESRC=mr.txt.

5. COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR THE GREATER TRENTON SYMPHONY'S FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON ARE AVAILABLE to our Department's employees. The concert is being held on Sunday afternoon, 6 April 2003, at 3:00 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial, and is being dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces. In addition to the Star Spangled Banner and the Armed Forces Salute, the program will also consist of musical tributes to two great figures in American music, Marian Anderson and Duke Ellington. Please contact Laura Branham at laura.branham@njdmava.state.nj.usor at telephone number 609-530-6987 if you are interested in obtaining tickets.

6. AIR NATIONAL GUARD ANNOUNCES FY03 1ST QUARTER RECRUITING AND RETENTION AWARDS. Congratulations to the 108th Air Refueling Wing for achieving the distinction of the Wing with the Highest Average Accessions within Region V. Also, congratulations go to MSgt Miguel Justiniano of the 108th and TSgt Rebecca A. Lee of the 177th Fighter Wing for being selected as the Recruiters with the most accessions within Region V. Great job! Keep up the outstanding effort!

7. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT HAS TEAMED UP WITH USA FREEDOM CORPS TO LAUNCH "ON THE HOME FRONT," A NEW RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps Office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. DOD recommends the following ways of sending support:

  • Operation Dear Abby. Send an email message to deployed troops of any service from `your home state. http://www.OperationDearAbby.net.
  • Defend America. Sign an online thank you card for the troops at http://www.defendamerica.mil.
  • Operation USO Care Package. Contribute to the purchase of a care package of items forwarded troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling cards, and toiletries via: http://www.usocares.org/home.

8. NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY PROVIDES SERVICES TO STATE EMPLOYEES ONLINE.
Did you know that NJ's state employees could use the Research Desk and borrow books (they can be delivered to you via interoffice mail) from the State Library? The State Library publishes a listing of Selected New Books each month. You can receive this listing via e-mail by e-mailing your address at http://ppolo@njstatelib.org. One Book New Jersey (OBNJ) is an exciting program that libraries and their partners across the state are promoting in the Spring of 2003. The goal is to bring people together through literature by encouraging residents across the state to read the same book and participate in discussions and other events centered on that book. The four titles in this program for Spring are: Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury), Among the Hidden (Margaret Peterson), Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks, and Tacky the Penquin (Helen Lester). Visit the State Library at their website, http://www.njstatelib.org and see what they have to offer.

9. DMVA WELCOMES MR. ERNIE RAZZANO TO ITS STAFF.
On Monday, 24 March 2003, Mr. Ernie Razzano began his employment as a Health Professions Recruiter within the Division of Veterans Healthcare Services. Mr. Razzano will be recruiting healthcare professionals for employment at the three New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes. Ernie is wished the best of luck in his new position!

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

10 April - 1100 hrs Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal
National Guard Training Center
Building 35
Sea Girt, NJ

11. FROM THE OFFICE OF THE G-6: "SECURE YOUR E-MAIL."
The Department of Defense and the Army policy for official email is that it will not be forwarded outside of federal government sponsored email systems. The Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS) and the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) email systems are certified for "sensitive but unclassified" information. Forwarding email outside of these systems to commercial email makes it subject to compromise. Before AKO email was available, official mail could not be read/sent unless you could gain access to the network. The AKO email makes official email available from any Internet connection. Remember the old World War II phrase "Loose Lips Sink Ships?" Loose email (or other information sources) can violate operations security and put our personnel in danger. Think about where the information may end up before you click that send button.

12. DMVA PICNIC SCHEDULED FOR 27 JUNE 2003.
This year's picnic will be held at the John F. Recreational Park Building, 6045 Doughboy Loop, Fort Dix from 1200-1700 hours. Cost will be $10 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Reservations must be made by 20 June 2003.

13. NJ VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL AND VIETNAM ERA EDUCATIONAL CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

29 March 1:00 pm Devil Doc: A Navy Corpsman in Vietnam
A slide show and discussion presented by Albert Naar (USN/USMC, 1965-1969, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Medical Battalion, Phu Bai and Quang Tri)
26 April 1:00 pm Thirteen Months, Thirteen Stories, One Tour
7 May 11:00 am Remembrance Day Ceremony
10 May 1:00 pm Not at Ease: Photographs of America’s Continuing Engagement with the Vietnam War
26 May 11:00 am Memorial Day Ceremony
14 June 1:00 pm Unknown Soldier

 

14. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) CONDUCTED THEIR ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE NJ VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME AT MENLO PARK DURING THE WEEK OF 17 MARCH. The facility was 100% in compliance with VA standards and the inspection team praised the staff on their accomplishments. This guarantees that the Menlo Park facility will continue to receive VA per diem reimbursement, which amounts to several million dollars each year.

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

28 Mar Circus Washington Armory
30 Mar NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory
2 Apr Circus Woodbridge Armory
2-6 Apr Antique Show & Sale Morristown Armory
12 Apr Medieval Festival Washington Armory
19 Apr Wrestling Cherry Hill Armory
23-27 Apr Ball & Dinner Dance Morristown Armory
28 Apr -7 May Carpet & Furniture Show Morristown Armory

16. GETTING TO KNOW OUR STATE - NEW JERSEY.
The State Seal. Pierre Eugene du Simitiere designed the state seal in May of 1777. The three plows in the shield honor the state's agricultural tradition. The helmet above the shield faces forward, an attitude denoting sovereignty and particularly fitting for one of the first governments created under the notion that the state itself is the sovereign. The crest above the helmet is a horse's head. The supporting female figures are Liberty and Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain, symbolizing abundance. Liberty carries the liberty cap on her staff. Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvested produce. Below them is a scroll bearing the motto "Liberty and Prosperity" and the year of statehood, 1776.

17. SOME WORDS NEVER LOSE THEIR MEANING OR RELEVANCE.

"These are the times that try men's souls.
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis,
Shrink from service to their country.
But those who stand for it now
Deserve the love and thanks of every man and woman.
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered."

~~Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776~~
(Ordered read to all the troops by General George Washington before crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day.)

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