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New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy addresses the audience during the opening of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Service Office, located at the Township of Union Senior Center, in Union, New Jersey, May 31, 2024. |
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Veterans Service Offices |
With last Friday’s ribbon cutting of the State of New Jersey Union County Veterans Service Office, New Jersey Service Members, Veterans, and their families now have a point of entry to access veterans benefits, programs, and services in each of our 21 counties.
In 2023, Governor Murphy pledged to expand the number of veterans service offices from fourteen to one in every county. We opened new offices in Passaic County, Camden County, Middlesex County, Warren County, Cape May County, Salem County, and Union County. I am pleased to see the Governor’s vision realized and excited about the assistance they will provide. Staffed by trained and accredited veterans service officers, each location can connect eligible New Jerseyans to employment, education, counseling, housing, medical, and social benefits that they have earned through their service.
In addition to the Governor’s leadership, this historic expansion was made possible by the bipartisan support of our partners in the New Jersey Legislature and the commitment of county governments, municipalities, and Garden State Veterans Service Organizations. I wish to acknowledge the hard work of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs teams who were critical to this initiative’s success.
New Jersey is investing more, doing more, and achieving more in the area of state-delivered veterans benefits, programs, and services than at any time in our history. We owe nothing less to the patriots who have done so much for our country. Expanding access is the cornerstone of our efforts to connect those who have worn the uniform with the benefits that they have earned through their service to the United States.
Please help us spread the word! A list of our offices can be found on our webpage: nj.gov/military/veterans/services/vso/ and please call our new hotline: 1-844-671-1019 to reach one of our Veterans Service Officers by phone. |
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As always, thank you for staying connected to DMAVA.
We invite you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.
Major General Lisa J. Hou, D.O. The Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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Major General Lisa J. Hou The Adjutant General
New Jersey Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs
requests the honor of your presence at the
20th Anniversary Remembrance
as the Garden State honors and remembers the four New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers killed in action on June 4-5, 2004. May we never forget the sacrifice of
SSG Frank Carvill
SPC Christopher Duffy
SSG Humberto Timoteo
SGT Ryan Doltz
on Wednesday, the 5th of June 2024 at 11:00 am
Global War on Terrorism Memorial
101 Eggerts Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 |
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 | Major General Lisa J. Hou
The Adjutant General
New Jersey Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs
requests the honor of your presence as we commemorate the
80th Anniversary of D-Day
on Thursday, the 6th of June 2024 at 11:00 am
World War II Memorial
125 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
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DMAVA is sponsoring or will participate in the events below. A DMAVA Veterans Service Officer will be present at many of these events. Please check details to confirm. | |
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
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 | State Memorial Day Ceremony
Congressman Andy Kim, 3rd District; New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy, Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey, along with the New Jersey National Guard leadership, state veterans and community organizations, and several hundred attendees honored New Jersey's fallen service members during the annual State Memorial Day ceremony at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, New Jersey, May 25, 2024.
The Cemetery, dedicated in 1986, is New Jersey’s sole state-operated veterans’ cemetery and is managed by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It is the final resting place for more than 88,900 veterans and family members. View Images |
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 | 44th IBCT
Soldiers assigned to Task Force Guardian, along with service members from various coalition forces, complete the “Murph Challenge,” which requires each participant to run 1-mile, complete 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and finish with another 1-mile run.
The workout has become a Memorial Day tradition among service members to honor U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings. View Images |
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Task Force Redleg LFXU.S. Army Soldiers of Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, conduct a live-fire exercise utilizing the M119 Howitzer, in Iraq, May 28, 2024.
The exercise was conducted in order to maintain proficiency and readiness in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission.
View Images |
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 | Recruiting and Retention Battalion
Soldiers, both past and present, took part in the Passaic Township Memorial Day parade. The Passaic Recruiting Office proudly represented the New Jersey Army National Guard. |
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment |
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 | State VSO Opened in Union County
Leaders from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; state legislators, county officials, and veterans join in opening a new DMAVA Veterans Services Office, located in the Township of Union Senior Center, in Union, NJ on May 31, 2024.
The new office will serve as a one-stop resource for veterans and their families. With the opening of the Union office, all 21 New Jersey counties are now equipped with a Veterans Service Office. View Images |
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Veterans Honored at VFW ConventionThe New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony at the Wildwood Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ on May 31, 2024. Twenty-two female veterans were awarded medals during the Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars annual convention.
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 | Veterans Honored
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony in South Brunswick, NJ on May 23, 2024.
(L-to-R) Eugene Holland, Michael Bongo, Bob Saiewitz and Joseph Hellerman live together at Brandywine Princeton where they received their service medals.
View the news coverage on PIX11. |
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 | SMS Alerts - Text "NJVets" to 78015
Opt-in now to receive SMS Alerts from DMAVA! Text "NJVets" to 78015 or scan the QR code above and send. You will be immediately opted-in to receive alerts and important messages from the Division of Veterans Services.
This service is provided free of charge, however, carrier messaging and data rates may apply. To opt-out at any time, simply reply “Stop”. |
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 | CounterDrug Task Force
NEWARK, NJ - Drug Enforcement Administration Agents partnered with the New Jersey National Guard CounterDrug Task Force to collect and dispose of unwanted prescription medications during Operation Take Back New Jersey, April 30, 2024.
Operation Take Back New Jersey is a biannual event that encourages residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications consequence-free.
Since 1973 when the DEA declared war on the epidemic of drug overdoses nationwide, Take Back Days have helped communities in need to address public health, environmental, and nationwide security concerns by safely disposing of unused and expired medications.
There were 240 collection sites across the state and 218 Law Enforcement Agencies participated, helping provide a total of 14,459 lbs. of unwanted prescription medications which were collected and disposed of at the Covanta Essex Resource Recovery Facility in Newark, NJ.
For more information on National DEA Take Back Day, please visit dea.gov/takebackday. |
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Finish your benefits claims within one year to be eligible for the most backdated benefitsVA News | May 29, 2024
Last year, more Veterans submitted their “intent to file” (ITF) for benefits claims than ever before. These ITFs are disability compensation claims that Veterans started, but didn’t finish, and they’re an important tool because they help Veterans preserve their earliest possible effective date for their benefits claim, which makes them potentially eligible for backdated benefits.
If you submitted an ITF last year, you must act fast. You only have 365 days from when you submitted your ITF to complete it.
Read Full News Feature |
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Veteran trust in VA has increased 25% since 2016, reaches all-time high VA News | May 28, 2024
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veteran trust in VA has reached an all-time high of 80.4% — up from 55% when the survey began in 2016. This is based on a survey of 38,293 Veterans who used a wide range of VA services between January 1 – March 31, including health care, disability compensation benefits, memorial affairs, the GI Bill, home loans, and more. Those Veterans were asked whether they “trust VA to fulfill our country’s commitment to Veterans.”
Read Full News Release |
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VA Benefits for Veterans with 100% Disability Update In this episode of theSITREP, the host discusses 14 different VA benefits that Veterans qualify for when they are receiving 100% Service-Connected Disability
The SitRep Podcast |
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 | 42,000 Flags |
More than 1,000 New Jersey Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and family members placed more than 42,000 American flags on graves at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Wrightstown, NJ on May 24, 2024.
The Cemetery, dedicated in 1986, is New Jersey’s sole state-operated veterans’ cemetery and is managed by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It is the final resting place for more than 88,900 veterans and family members. View Images |
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NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial | A ceremony was held for Memorial Day at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Museum in Holmdel, New Jersey, May 27, 2024.
View Images |
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 | Union High School JROTC |
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mischa LeGoff, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 150th Assault Helicopter Regiment, talks to cadets with the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Union High School about army aviation and information on college ROTC programs at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ on May 30, 2024.
The New Jersey Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion organized and lead the tour of the base while providing JROTC cadets history and information on the National Guard. View Images |
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 | NJ veterans visit local cemeteries and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in service |
Nick Iadonisi | 6ABC | May 27, 2024
MEDFORD, New Jersey (WPVI) -- This group of South Jersey veterans gathered at local cemeteries to honor the sacrifices of fallen soldiers throughout time.
The Medford Township Veterans of Foreign Wars saluted them with ceremonies including prayer, taps, and a firing squad.
"It's important that everybody remembers those that served this country, served this nation. They gave their lives for us. And so this is in remembrance in honor of them and their families," said Mark Preston, Commander of Medford VFW Post 7677. View Video Story
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 | Residents of Glassboro, NJ fill the streets to honor service members on Memorial Day |
Nick Iadonisi | 6ABC | May 27, 2024
GLASSBORO, New Jersey (WPVI) -- From marching bands to a flyover from the Air Force, residents of Glassboro were given a spectacular parade this morning.
All of this was to honor service members who lost their lives for the holiday today.
It was one of over 100 Memorial Day Parades for the borough over the years.
"Glassboro has a strong, tight commitment to our veterans and the fallen heroes...The whole parade just means so much to me. Just being out and about with the residents of Glassboro is everything," said Mayor of Glassboro Borough, John E. Wallace III.
View Video Story |
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After Princeton graduation, ROTC students are commissioned as U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force officers | Rebekah Schroeder | Princeton Univ. | May 29, 2024
Nine members of Princeton’s Class of 2024 became commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force on May 28 during a ceremony led by Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, a Class of 1987 alumnus who was commissioned through Princeton’s ROTC program more than 30 years ago.
Cavoli is NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of the U.S. European Command. He is a recipient of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson Award, the University’s highest undergraduate alumni honor. The ROTC Commissioning was held in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall a few hours after Princeton’s Commencement.
Read Full Story |
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 | Fini Flight |
Col. William Liess, former commander of the 108th Operations Group, completed his final flight at the 108th Wing on May 29, 2024. His family and teammates celebrated his return and honored his 33 years of service. |
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In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. |
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June 4, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom SSG Frank Timothy CarvillU.S. Army
Carlstadt, New Jersey | June 4, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Christopher M. Duffy
U.S. Army Brick, New Jersey | June 5, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom
SGT Ryan Edward Doltz U.S. Army Mine Hill, New Jersey |
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June 5, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom
SSG Humberto F. TimoteoU.S. Army Newark, New Jersey |
June 14, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Farid ElazzouziU.S. Army
Elizabeth, New Jersey | June 18, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom SGT Eric L. Snell
U.S. Army Trenton, New Jersey |
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"But on the battlefield their feet stood fast, and in an instant at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory."
~ Pericles |
| NJ Fallen Heroes Memorial |
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 | Princeton Battle Monument Dedication in 1922. |
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June 6, 1780 | Hessian General Wilhelm Von Knyphausen crossed from Staten Island to Elizabethtown with 6,000 British and Hessian troops at midnight, intending to push through Hobart’s gap to Morristown the following day. |
June 6, 1862 | The First New Jersey Cavalry was ambushed in the Shenandoah Valley and suffered forty casualties, including Colonel Percy Wyndham, who was captured, and Captain Thomas Ryerson Haines, son of former New Jersey governor Daniel Haines, who was killed in action. |
June 6, 1878 | John P. Holland of Paterson tested his first submarine design in the Passaic River. Although he claimed it seaworthy, the U.S. Navy rejected his plans. |
June 8, 1944 |
The men of the New Jersey National Guard’s 102nd Cavalry, who had floated offshore for two days, landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day plus two, as the beachhead had been expanded enough to accommodate the unit’s vehicles. In the following weeks, Sergeant Curtis Culin of Cranford and the 102nd devised the “Rhino Plow,” a device that, attached to the front of tanks, cut through the hedgerows of Normandy, vitally assisting the allied armies in breaking out of their beachhead. In the ensuing months, the 102nd fought its way across Europe, on the way gaining the honor of being the first United States unit to enter Paris in August 1944.
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June 9, 1922 |
The Princeton Battle Monument, created by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies and architect Thomas Hastings to commemorate General George Washington’s January 3, 1777 victory over the British, was dedicated by President Warren Harding. The sculpture depicts Washington leading his troops to victory and the mortal wounding of General Hugh Mercer, for whom Mercer County was later named. |
June 14, 1917 |
Two months after the United States entry into World War I, the first troop transports headed for Europe left Hoboken, which became the leading port of embarkation for American soldiers for the duration of the war. Of the approximately 2,000,000 American troops who sailed to Europe, 1,600,000 left from the Hudson County port city. |
June 15, 1864 |
The Twenty-second United States Colored Infantry, a regiment composed mostly of New Jersey African-American soldiers, was part of a force that broke through the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. The Twenty-second captured an enemy fort and artillery pieces, but their army corps commander, Major General William F. “Baldy” Smith, halted the victorious advance. When Confederate reinforcements arrived, Petersburg was saved and a ten month siege of the critical rail junction began. |
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We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs we take our work in support of Veterans, Servicemembers and their families very seriously. Whether supporting our Veterans with nursing care, transitional housing, or assisting them in navigating access to their Veteran benefits, the Department provides valuable services and can offer rewarding career opportunities to members of the public.
We also have opportunities in facilities management and program management. In addition, we have job openings for members of our military to serve in AGR and Federal Technician roles.
Subscribe to DMAVA Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
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We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter and find it both educational and engaging. If you have questions about our department, our programs or your benefits, please visit our website at nj.gov/military to get contact information. |
| Contact DMAVA |
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Please email us at outreach@dmava.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal.
Visit the DMAVA archives to view previous editions of our newsletter.
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nj.gov/military NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
101 Eggerts Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Privacy Notice
Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DMAVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. |
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