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DVA Veterans Newsletter | February 12, 2026 |
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February is Black History Month. This is a time to reflect, to honor, and to recommit ourselves to the values of service, sacrifice, and shared responsibility that define our nation. Black Americans have served in every conflict since the founding of our country, often while fighting for freedoms abroad that they themselves were denied at home. From the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen to today’s Service Members leading across every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, their contributions have strengthened and shaped the United States.
DVA possesses a clear, no-fail mission: we serve Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. I know from my own time in uniform that successful service is informed by listening. That is why we have launched a Statewide Veterans Needs Survey. This survey reflects Governor Mikie Sherrill’s commitment to listening to diverse voices across the Garden State. We intend for it to inform our actions and ensure that our priorities reflect the experiences, challenges, and goals of New Jersey heroes and the people who love them.
Your input will directly shape how we deliver services, where we invest our resources, and how we strengthen access to care, housing stability, mental health support, and earned benefits. It will help us identify gaps, measure progress, and hold ourselves accountable. We need you if we are going to get this right. |
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Those I serve alongside on the DVA team are called not only to meet standards, but to exceed them—to sustain what we do well and to constantly improve. We need your candid feedback to do that work.
My door remains open. Please share the survey, share this message, and share your voice. You can always reach us at connect@dva.nj.gov.
Thank you for your service, your trust, and your continued partnership.
Vincent Solomeno III Acting Commissioner |
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
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Tell Us What You Need
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Your input helps improve access, quality, and support statewide. |
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Celebrating Johnny Q' s 100th Birthday |
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DVA Joins the Battleship New Jersey Team to Celebrate Navy Veteran Johnny Q
Acting Commissioner Vincent Solomeno was proud to join the team at Battleship New Jersey for a birthday luncheon in honor of World War II U.S. Navy Veteran and longtime volunteer John “Johnny Q” Quinesso, Sr. On behalf of Governor Mikie Sherrill, Solomeno presented Johnny with the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, the state’s highest military award.
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Quinesso joined the Navy straight out of high school in 1943, at 19 years old. Trained as a radio operator, he served aboard the LSM-302, a medium landing ship that delivered troops, tanks and supplies to beaches across the Pacific. His service took him to Wake Island, Guam, Okinawa and Saipan during some of the war’s most intense fighting.
One moment, however, stands above all others. Off the coast of Guam, the crew at that point was preparing for a potentially devastating invasion of Japan with ships on the ocean as far as he could see. One night, while standing the midnight watch on the radio, Quinesso received a transmission that would change the world.
The message read, ‘The Japanese had surrendered. The war is over,’” he recalled. “I ran right down to the captain and banged on his door.” Quinesso said after that all hell broke loose on the ship, with the crew crying and hugging each other.
“That was my most glorious moment. I’ll never forget it — it feels like yesterday.”
After returning home, Quinesso built a 43-year career as an IRS agent. But when the Battleship New Jersey reopened as a museum in 2001, he found a new calling: educating future generations about sacrifice, service and history. For Quinesso, teaching visitors about the Battleship New Jersey is about more than history — it’s about understanding the cost of freedom.
“I call the Battleship New Jersey my second home,” Quinesso said. “I’ve been a tour guide here for over 20 years. It’s one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever done in my life.”
View Video and Read More About Jonny Q |
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Honoring Black Veterans |
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This Black History Month, the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs honors Black Veterans whose courage and commitment helped shape our history. We hope to retell their stories by shining a light on the New Jersey National Guard Militia Museum’s Center for U.S. War Veterans Oral Histories. The voices of these heroes live on through the preservation of their experiences, service, and legacy.
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Angelo N. Colbourne was an African American U.S. Navy Seabee from Newark, New Jersey, who enlisted in 1943 and served with the 23rd Special Naval Construction Battalion, the only all-Black Seabee unit at the time. Facing segregation in the Navy, he served as a Browning Automatic Rifleman in the Pacific, including deployments to Hawaii, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where he witnessed intense combat and historic moments such as the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi. After the war, Colbourne used the GI Bill to continue his education, built a civilian career, and remained proud of his service.
Hear Angelo's story
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Benjamin Vernon Stewart was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 after contributing to the wartime industrial effort. He was assigned to the segregated 28th Cavalry Regiment, where he trained as a radio operator while enduring persistent racial discrimination. In 1944, Stewart deployed to North Africa, continuing the proud tradition of Black cavalry units, before volunteering for combat duty in Italy. There, he joined the 370th Infantry Regiment of the all-Black 92nd “Buffalo Soldiers” Division and took part in major operations, including the breakthrough of the Gothic Line and the liberation of several Italian towns. His service exposed him to the harsh realities and lasting impacts of war. Following his military service, Stewart returned home, married his wife, and built a full civilian life and career at Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, New Jersey.
Hear Benjamin's story
Be sure to follow us on social media to see all of our Black History Month features! |
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Local VFW Leads 26 Years of Blackjack at Paramus Veterans Home |
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For more than twenty-six years, one special tradition has brought camaraderie, laughter, and a little friendly competition to the Paramus Veterans Home—every single Thursday without fail.
Joe Cecere, then Commander of Wood-Ridge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3616, joined together with Norwood American Legion Post 272 to host weekly blackjack games for residents. What began decades ago as a simple act of service has grown into a beloved weekly event that many residents look forward to as a highlight of their week.
In 2019, Cecere’s post merged with Carlstadt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3149. The members of Post 3149 continued the partnership with American Legion Post 272. Each Thursday, two to three blackjack tables are set up, complete with volunteer dealers who generously give their time and energy to ensure everyone has a seat at the table. Thanks to a grant from the American Legion, residents receive a few dollars for their winnings, adding an extra layer of excitement and fun to the games.
The impact of this tradition goes far beyond cards and chips. Some residents have been attending blackjack every week for more than five years, forming friendships and routines that provide connection and continuity. At the same time, new residents regularly join the tables, quickly becoming part of the group and discovering a welcoming community.
The local VFW and American Legion’s enduring commitment is a powerful example that service continues long after one hangs up a military uniform. Their presence each Thursday reflects gratitude in action; honoring service not just with words, but with time, consistency, and genuine care.
After more than two decades, the cards are still being dealt, the tables are still full, and the tradition continues one Thursday at a time.
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DVA Wins Grant to Elevate Veterans Home Memory Care |
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Recognizing the increasing need for specialized dementia care, the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce the launch of its new Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) training program. This comprehensive initiative is designed to equip staff with advanced, practical skills to manage complex behaviors, reduce caregiver stress, and enhance the quality of life for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The program curriculum aligns with national certification standards established by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and addresses critical gaps in dementia education. Key areas of focus include understanding dementia types, communication strategies, and person-centered care approaches.
“Our homes at Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland provide care each day for residents experiencing memory loss,” said Rochelle Guglielmo, DVA Director of Veterans Healthcare Services. “Through a train the trainer model over the next four years, our end goal is 252 of our clinical team members across the three homes becoming Certified Dementia Practitioners. This will be a set of critical tools to add to the toolboxes of our healthcare heroes.
Today, New Jersey’s three veterans homes are independently ranked among the best long-term care facilities in the state. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded five out of five overall stars to each home as a result of positive findings from independent health inspections, staffing levels, and resident-level quality measures of clinical care. Funding to train Certified Dementia Practitioners is made possible by a $45,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health.
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Team Member Spotlight |
Chucaralao Named Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs |  |
Earlier this week, Acting Commissioner Vincent Solomeno announced the appointment of U.S. Navy Veteran Esther Chucaralao as the first Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs.
Since January 2023, Deputy Commissioner Chucaralao has served as the Director of Veterans Services for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and, since January 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs. As Director, she managed the state’s corps of trained and accredited veterans service officers, Veterans Haven North and South transitional housing facilities, the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the State Approving Agency, the maintenance and repair of the Korean War, Vietnam War, and World War II Memorials, and the Veterans Benefits Bureau. Twelve years ago, she began her work in state-delivered veterans benefits, programs, and services as the State of New Jersey’s Hudson County Veterans Service Officer.
In her new role, Deputy Commissioner Chucaralao will continue her work with the Division of Veterans Services while also overseeing the Division of Veterans Healthcare Services and the delivery of care at the Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland Veterans Memorial Homes. She previously worked in state government as a case manager for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. A mental health professional by training, she is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Excelsior College and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Felician University. She served in the U.S. Navy from 2003-2010.
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DVA Veterans Services & Resources |
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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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Get Connected to Resources & Services | The New Jersey Department of 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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We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs we take our work in support of Veterans 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.
Subscribe to the MilVets 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 veterans.nj.gov to get contact information. |
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Please email us at connect@dva.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please let us know. |
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Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Privacy Notice |
Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the NJ Department of Veterans Affairs. |
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