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November 12, 2025 |  |
Ready To Serve ★ Proud To Have Served |
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 | Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, addresses the audience during the State Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2025. |
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Veterans Day |
Yesterday, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs had the distinct honor of hosting our state’s observance of Veterans Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.
Together, with elected officials, community leaders, and, most importantly, Veterans and their families from across New Jersey, we gathered to pay tribute to those who served. Governor Philip D. Murphy presided over a heartfelt ceremony of joy and celebration of the contributions made by the over 300,000 Veterans who call New Jersey home.
Those of us who wear or have worn a uniform know that service is not a chapter in life, it is a way of life. That’s the legacy of our Garden State Veterans. It is found in every act of service that follows the final salute, and in every hand extended to lift each other up.
Here in New Jersey, we see that spirit of service every day. We see it in our Veteran Service Officers who work tirelessly to help Veterans and their families. We see it in our Soldiers and Airmen mobilizing in overseas and domestic missions. We see it in the families who hold steady through deployments and training, keeping loved ones and community strong.
To all of our Veterans, and to those we hold in memory, thank you. You’ve carried the torch of service, and you continue to light the way. We owe you our thanks, we owe you our respect, and we owe you our freedom.
May we continue to serve together with the same courage, humility, and devotion that built this country and keeps it strong. |
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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.
Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays
Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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DMAVA Calendar | 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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Community Calendar | We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
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State Veterans Day CeremonyNew Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy addresses the audience during the State Veterans Day Ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center in Holmdel, NJ on November 11, 2025.
Veterans Day celebrates and honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. View Images |
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 | Veterans Day Celebration
On November 10, 2025, New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy held a Veterans Day Celebration at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey in Princeton, NJ.
Among the honored guests were Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, and Vincent Solomeno, Commissioner-Designate of Veterans Affairs.
View Images |
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 | NJ Army National Guard
The NJ Army National Guard was out in force at the Rutgers University Military Appreciation Football Game on November 8, 2025.
The Scarlet Knights triumphed over Maryland by a score of 35-20. |
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Somerset County and NJ TRANSIT Coordinate Fare-Free Shuttle Service to Lyons VA Medical Center for Veterans Beginning November 7Somerset County | November 6, 2025
Beginning November 7, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., Veterans traveling to the Lyons VA Medical Center in Bernards Township from the Lyons Train Station will be able to catch a fare-free ride thanks to a cooperative partnership between Somerset County, the Lyons VA Medical Center, NJ TRANSIT, and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA).
“Finding ways to support my fellow Veterans is always top of mind for me,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director and Air Force Veteran Shanel Y. Robinson. “I have long recognized the excellent medical and rehabilitation services that our Lyons VA Medical Center provides, and I’m pleased that through this transportation partnership, our Veterans will no longer face barriers to accessing this vital care.”
The new Veterans Lyons Shuttle will run 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The shuttle will run from the Lyons Train Station to the Lyons VA Medical Center and back, in a loop, approximately 8 times daily, supporting and coordinating with the preexisting Morris & Essex Line rail schedule.
“We are pleased to support this shuttle connection, which will make it easier for veterans to access the care they need at the Lyons VA Medical Center,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “This partnership helps us close another gap in first- and last-mile service that will directly improve the travel experience for those who depend on public transit for their healthcare needs.”
In addition to Veterans, employees from the Lyons VA Medical Center as well as friends and family will be able to use the shuttle for greater ease of travel.
“The State of New Jersey is investing more, doing more, and achieving more for veterans than at any time in our history,” said Vincent Solomeno, Commissioner-Designate of Veterans Affairs. “The shuttle is a reflection of our commitment to Garden State heroes and what can be achieved when we work together.”
“For too long, New Jersey veterans with disabilities have faced challenges accessing reliable transportation to the Lyons VA Medical Center. That changes with the launch of the Lyons VA Shuttle Service,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07). "This milestone demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together across all levels of government. On the federal level, I am also pleased to build on this progress by introducing legislation to ensure this service remains a sustained, long-term solution. With Veterans Day just around the corner, this launch could not be more timely - it will improve lives, ease burdens, and honor those who have served our nation.”
The ADA accessible shuttle, which was funded under the Casino Revenue Program (SCDRTAP) through the FTA Section 5310 program administered by NJ TRANSIT, will seat 16 passengers and additionally has 2 wheelchair securement locations. Somerset County will operate the shuttle as well as maintain the vehicle for use.
Somerset County News Article | View Images |
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Groundbreaking of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans & Senior VillageCommissioner-Designate Vincent Solomeno joined state, county, and local partners in West Deptford to mark the groundbreaking of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans and Senior Village, a new affordable housing community for senior veterans.
In the spirit of New Jersey's motto, liberty and prosperity, this effort reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every veteran has access to safe and affordable housing. |
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 | State Medal Ceremony
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony at the Arbor Terrace Middletown in Middletown, NJ on November 6, 2025. View Images |
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Get Connected to Resources & Services | The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has partnered with Unite Us to connect individuals and families to a wide variety of services and resources.
Unite Us is a coordinated care referral network of health and social service providers. Unite Us can connect our New Jersey military and veteran community to resources to obtain benefits, food assistance, housing, education, transportation, behavioral health services, peer support and more. |
| Learn More / Request Assistance |
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Veteran Homelessness | The mission of Bringing Veterans Home (BVH) is to effectively end veteran homelessness in New Jersey by enhancing existing systems, creating rapid access to housing, and ensuring homelessness becomes rare, brief and non-recurring.
BVH creates a clear path to stable housing for veterans experiencing homelessness through a coordinated network of services and support. |
| Learn More / Refer a Veteran |
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Governor Murphy Pardons 11 Veterans in Commemoration of Veterans Day Governor's Office | November 11, 2025
HOLMDEL - In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Phil Murphy today announced 11 pardons for New Jersey veterans, reaffirming his Administration’s commitment to rehabilitation and respect for those who have served our nation. Today’s pardons come on the heels of yesterday’s historic fourth round of clemency actions that surpassed 200 cumulative grants of clemency in the past 16 months. With today’s pardons, Governor Murphy has exercised his executive authority to grant clemency to a total of 228 individuals.
"Actions taken during a person’s hardest chapter should not define them - especially for those who have sacrificed so much in service of our nation,” said Governor Murphy. "Today’s pardons are a declaration of who we are: a state that believes in redemption, responsibility, and opportunity."
"This initiative reflects our values as a state - compassion, justice, and responsibility," said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way. "By offering clemency to deserving veterans, we’re ensuring that those who served our country are given a true chance to rebuild their lives and continue to contribute to their families and communities."
Today’s announcement marks a new phase of the Governor’s historic clemency initiative, building on its foundation by recognizing the unique experiences and contributions of veterans and the efforts they have taken to rehabilitate their lives.
Read Full Press Release
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Atlantic Healthcare Systems
New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy along with Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, and Vincent Solomeno III, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, presented the New Jersey’s Governor “We Value Our Veterans” Employer Award to Christopher Heacock of Atlantic Healthcare Systems.
The award presentation took place during the State Veterans Day Ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center in Holmdel, NJ on November 11, 2025.
The award recognizes communities, businesses, and academic institutions who honor the sacrifices, patriotism, and bravery of New Jersey’s service members and veterans. |
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Morris County Honors Eight Veterans, Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversarymorriscountynj.gov | November 6, 2025
Eight local veterans were honored last night by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners at their annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, where they also celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and paid tribute to a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. Read Full Story |
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Robert PerricelliSFC Andrew Walker | Curator | National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
We lost a dear friend recently.
Bob Perricelli, a loyal volunteer and friend of the museum passed away. He started volunteering at our museum after a long Army civilian engineer career that ended at nearby Fort Monmouth.
Bob seemed to enjoy juggling multiple roles, managing multiple rooms at InfoAge Science and History Museums, all while helping us to organize huge backlogs of artifacts and documents. His tenure with us started in 2010, not long before the devastating effects of Irene and Sandy did immense damage to our collections.
Bob was a joy to be around and always able to look on the bright side of things. Despite all of the projects and sometimes daunting workload of organizing our spaces here and elsewhere, Bob was happy to keep his head on what we could accomplish and always keep his attitude light.
His deep laugh was unmistakable and always went well after a few stories from his time as an electronics engineer or whatever was going on at InfoAge.
Our hearts go to his family and friends. Please know that we were so happy to have met and worked with Bob. The staff, interns, and volunteers at the museum thought the world of him and are sad to see him go. |
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New Jersey Fallen Heroes Memorial | In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom.
In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. | Memorial Inscription
"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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Chaplain Major Charles J. Watters |
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November 11, 1918 |
At 11:00 AM the World War I Armistice began, ending active combat for the National Guard soldiers of the New Jersey National Guard in the 29th Division and drafted Jerseymen in the 78th and other divisions and New Jerseyans in the USMC and Navy. | November 16, 1776 |
A British and Hessian force stormed Fort Washington, New York, and captured 2,600 Americans. Morale on the New Jersey side of the Hudson, where soldiers watched the disaster, plummeted, and the Americans evacuated supplies inland as British raiders began to cross the river, isolating Fort Lee. | November 16, 1945 |
The United States Army Air Force returned control of Convention Hall in Atlantic City, used as a training headquarters since July, 1942, to civilian authorities. |
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November 19, 1967 |
U.S. Army Chaplain Major Charles J. Watters of Jersey City, a Seton Hall University graduate and Catholic priest, was killed by “friendly fire” when a mistakenly dropped American bomb landed on his position near Dak To, Vietnam. Watters, assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, had repeatedly risked his life retrieving wounded men under enemy fire, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. |
November 21, 1776 |
As the main American Army under General George Washington withdrew across New Jersey, Governor William Livingston ordered his militia to rally to support Washington’s retreat and control potential Loyalist uprisings. The initial response was less than stellar, prompting some caustic comments from Washington, but British looting provided an incentive for a militia revival as December dawned. |
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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
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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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