New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

31 October 2003

Volume 2, Number 29

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

Election Day

Tuesday, 4 Nov 03

(State offices closed)

"The most important political office is that of private citizen."

      .Louis Brandeis

Calendar Notes.

Annual Coat Drive

begins 5 November through 19 November.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

11 November 2003    10:30 a.m.

BG Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery

DMVA Holiday Dinner

Friday, 12 Dec 03

Garden Room

Lawrenceville Armory

Make your reservation NLT 5 Dec 03

It's Halloween

It's Halloween!

It's Halloween!

The moon is full and bright.

And we shall see what can't be seen on any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,

Grinning goblins fighting duels, Werewolves rising from their tombs, Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns We haunt the street.

And knock on doors for trick or treat. 

Tonight we are the king and queen.

For, oh!  tonight

It's Halloween.

.Jack Prelutsky

New Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS) is coming.

Over the next two months, the NJ Army National Guard will be receiving a new version of the Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS) software that runs our computers.  RCAS Version 8.1 will include an application, "Mobilization Planning Data Viewer" (MPDV), that will automate the mobilization process at the unit.  This will eventually replace the unit mobilization binders and automate mobilization reports.  Providing automation of the mobilization process was a required function of RCAS from the inception.  The process will involve conversation of hardware, data entry, and training for system users.  When the system is in place, it will greatly reduce the "stubby pencil" work in preparing for and mobilizing national Guard units.

Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey held its annual conference.

The 30th Annual Conference of The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey was conducted this past weekend, October 24-26, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The guest speaker at the Military Ball, conducted on Saturday night, was Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General.  Elections were held at the business meeting with the following results: 

President

SGM Len Mayersohn (JFHQ-NJ)

Vice President, Army

SGM Michael Amoroso (JFHQ-NJ)

Vice President, Air

CMSgt (Ret) Thomas Quinn

Treasurer

CMSgt Lee Cisek (108th ARW)

Recording Secretary

SFC John Quin (119th Corps Support BN)

Corresponding Secretary

CSM Richard Bammert (50th Spt Bn - Main)

Notable notes from the Federal HRO.

Before we get too involved in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let's take a moment to make sure we are looking after our loved ones and ourselves.  We have Open Season for Federal Employees Health Benefits going on from now through 8 December 2003.  Make sure you have the RIGHT Health Plan for you and your family.does it have the right coverage, does it provide the best benefits for the cost of coverage, is it right for you?  If the answer to any of those questions is NO, call us at 609-562-0853. 

Retirement.STOP and THINK.  CSRS and Military personnel, are you contributing to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?  If not, you should consider the benefits of contributing.  You can contribute up to 9% of your salary beginning in January 2004.  All you have to do is complete the TSP Form and submit it to the HRO office NLT 31 December 2003.  FERS personnel can contribute up to 14% of your salary beginning in January 2004, and remember the TSP is just 1/3 of your retirement money.  The more you contribute to TSP, the larger your nest egg in old age.  If you are over 50 years old, there is the TSP Catch Up program that you can get involved with.  You all probably need more information, so call us at 609-562-0853.  We are here for you.  Feel free to stop in, say hello, or ask us a question. 

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.

11 Nov

11 a.m.

Veterans Day Ceremony

13 Dec

6 p.m.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

New Military Spouse Awards.

Nominations are due by November9 for new military spouse awards honoring active duty, retiree, Guard/Reserve, and veteran spouses.  Nominations can be made online at http://www.commissaries.com at http://www.militaryshoppers.com, or http://www.avashow.com.  Nomination forms will also be available November 1st on Procter & Gamble product displays in commissaries, or the form can be downloaded now at http://www.commissaries.com.  Each nomination must include a 500-word essay explaining how the military spouse exemplifies support to the community, volunteerism, selflessness, or strength.

Verizon Wireless offers discounts for military and state employees.

Verizon Wireless announces discount pricing is now available.  Verizon is offering a 17% discount for members of the military and a 15% discount for state employees.  For more information and to take advantage of this offer, please contact your Verizon Wireless Sales Representative:  Lee A. Cohen, Government Accounts, Cell (609) 472-7773, FAX (856) 234-6955, or email at lee.a.cohen@#verizonwireless.com.  

The NJ Devils & the Atlantic City Bullies ice hockey teams schedule Military Appreciation Nights.

1.       NJ Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Friday, December 12, 2003, 7:35 p.m.  Tickets $30 (Save over 40% per ticket).  Tickets are available on a first-come, first served basis, based on availability.  For information contact SMSgt Dave Whalen, (609) 754-3616, or email him at david.whalen@njmcgu.ang.af.mil

2.       Kelly Cup Champions, the Atlantic City Bullies ice hockey team, will honor all military personnel on Friday, 14 November 2003, at 7:05 p.m.  $15 tickets are available for $12 These tickets are available to veterans, enlisted Military and members of their families, and family members of those military currently serving away from home.  $6 tickets are also available on Wild Wednesdays, 12, 18, and 25 November, with military ID.  For more information, contact Jessica Adams at 609-348-7811.

The National Air and Space Museum invites Aviation veterans to opening ceremony.

The National Air and Space Museum will highlight the contributions of military aviation during the opening ceremonies of the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on December 9th.  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Richard B. Myers, will give the keynote speech at the event.  The Center, located at Dulles International Airport, will house more than 200 famous aircraft.  These include the B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" that dropped the first atomic bomb, a Marine F-4U corsair, the SR-71 Blackbird, the B-17 Fortress, a UH-1H Huey helicopter, and many other significant and meticulously restored aircraft.  The annex will open to the general public on December 15th.  Tickets are $15, and there is room for only 4000 at the ceremony.  Aviation veterans can get ticket information online or call toll-free (866) 814-4441.

Millville Army Air Field Museum and Millville Memorial High School students sponsor Veterans Appreciation Day.

The Millville Army Air Field Museum and Millville Memorial High School History students will honor veteran during Veterans Appreciation Day, Saturday, 8 November 2003, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The day's festivities will include a tribute ceremony, mess hall lunch, authentic military vehicles, aircraft, and equipment, reenactment groups, and museum tours.  An exhibit sponsored by the Cohanzick Antique Auto Club will also be featured.

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

29 October

11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Distinguished Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

National Guard Armory

National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt

19 November

11 a.m.

Distinguished Service Medal

National Guard Armory

500 Rahway Ave., Westfield, NJ

Today in History.

Today is Friday, October 31st, the 304th day of 2003. There are 62 days left in the year.   On this day.

J          1864 - Nevada became the 36th state to join the U.S.

J          1926 - Magician Harry Houdini died of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix.

J          1952 - The U.S. detonated its first hydrogen bomb.

J          1956 - Rear Adm. G. J. Dufek became the first person to land an airplane and set foot on the South Pole.

J          1988 - First Monday Night NFL game - Colts beat Denver 55-23.

J          1998 - Iraq announces it was halting all dealings with U.N. arms inspectors. 

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

31 Oct - 2 Nov

Antique Show & Sale

Morristown Armory

2 November

NASCAR Collectibles

Bordentown Armory

7 - 9 November

Craft Show

Westfield Armory

21 November

Boxing Match Benefit

Westfield Armory

21-23 November

"Home for the Holidays" Gift Fair

Morristown Armory

22-23 November

Sports Card Show

11 a.m. - Mickey Rivers (NY Yankees) will sign autographs ($10 each)

Bordentown Armory

30 November

Toy Show

Freehold Armory

12-14 December

Craft Show and Sale

Morristown Armory

26-28 December

Wrestling Tournament

Teaneck Armory

The Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Combat Championship matches were recently held.

The annual Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Combat Championship matches were held at Camp Robinson, Arkansas on 11-18 October 2003.  This prestigious event, sponsored by the National Guard Bureau, attracts teams from all of the states and territories, as well as other services and countries.  Members of The Adjutant General's Combat Championship Team this year were: 

CW2 Fred Schipke

TRP E, 5-117th CAV

Picatinny Arsenal

MSG Robert Bork

JFHQ

Fort Dix

SGT Victor Garcia

HHC 2nd BN 113th IN

Riverdale

SGT Timothy Rawcliffe

HHC 2nd BN 113th IN

Riverdale

Congratulations on a job well done!

Governor's annual Coat Drive and Gifts for Kids Drive will soon be underway.

The Governor's annual Coat Drive will run from Wednesday, November 5th through Wednesday, November 19th.  Flyers and information on drop-off points will be posted throughout the Department's facilities in the next few days.  A collection box will be placed in the main lobby of our Lawrenceville Headquarters Building.  Please take a few minutes to look through your closets and donate any coats that you will not be wearing this year.  Weathermen are predicting a cold winter, and many people could benefit from your old coat. 

The Governor's Gifts for Kids Drive will run from 24 November through 8 December 2003.  Please look for further details in next week's DMVA Highlights.  We look forward to your support in making both drives a success this year!

Fun Facts.

Ř       Beavers were once the size of bears.

Ř       A rainbow can only be seen in the morning or afternoon.

Ř       The speed limit in NYC was 8 mph in 1895.

Ř       The elephant is the only mammal with four knees who cannot jump.

Ř       A dentist named William Semple, who was looking for a way to exercise his jaws, invented chewing gum.

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