|
DVA Veterans Newsletter |
September 2, 2026 |
| | |
|
|
|
Next Friday, across the United States and around the world, we will remember the nearly 3,000 souls lost in the attacks of September 11, 2001.
We also honor those who never came home and uplift those who they left behind. We draw strength from the resiliency of those loved ones who carry on despite the untold grief they have endured.
We lift up those who survived the attacks. For twenty-five years, these individuals have carried the visible and invisible scars of that life-altering moment. May they know that we stand with them today and every day.
We lift up the first responders who rushed into the burning towers of the World Trade Center, the fiery corridors of the Pentagon, and the debris of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Their selflessness and personal courage are an example to us all.
We lift up the everyday Americans who answered the call to service, those who stormed a burning skyscraper to help a neighbor, a battle buddy, or a stranger in need. We honor those who have stepped forward to deploy across the globe to protect the security of the United States, both within and beyond our borders.
I draw strength in the knowledge that our work here at the Department of Veterans Affairs directly supports the men and women who served in the Global War on Terrorism. |
|
|
September 11, 2001 is a day still felt. Twenty-five years on, may we never forget.
Vincent Solomeno III Commissioner of Veterans Affairs |
|
|
Over 50 Veterans Honored at State Medal Ceremony |
|
|
 |
Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell with a State Medal recipient at the Paramus Veterans Home. |
|
|
State Medal Ceremony Held at Paramus Veterans Home
On August 26, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell presented New Jersey State Service Medals to 57 Veterans during a ceremony at the Paramus Veterans Home. The medals presented included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
The event included remarks from Commissioner Vincent Solomeno, Lieutenant Governor Caldwell, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, and Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. For more photos of the ceremony, click here. |
 |  |
|
|
DVA Employee Receives Recognition from Governor Sherrill |
|
|
 |
Commissioner Vincent Solomeno, Noelle Lee-Turner, and fellow DVA employees pose with letter from Governor Mikie Sherrill. |
|
|
On August 25, Commissioner Vincent Solomeno presented Noelle Lee-Turner, Chief Diversity Officer of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, with a letter of commendation from Governor Mikie Sherrill recognizing her leadership in developing the Department of Veterans Affairs' first strategic plan.
Noelle is spearheading strategic planning across the organization. Through collaboration and discussion, she and her committee colleagues are shaping the Department’s vision and informing the Department’s priorities. We are so grateful for all of Noelle's hard work and dedication. Congratulations! |  |
|
|
|
Community Calendar |
We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
|
|
|
|
A Sudsy Summer Sendoff at Menlo Park |
|
|
 |
Residents at the Menlo Park Veterans Home enjoy a foam machine at the home's end-of-summer celebration. |
|
|
The residents of the Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park enjoyed one of the liveliest events of the summer season on August 25 as the facility hosted a foam party at their outdoor recreation space.
A festive island vibe complete with tropical flower-shaped balloons and a fully decorated table full of indulgent treats helped establish the atmosphere. Residents and staff enjoyed a variety of items including fruit salad, cake and cups of ice-cold punch.
Of course, the event’s main attraction was the foam itself, which was shot out of a cannon-like machine and quickly filled much of the room. Residents donned colorful sunglasses and leis while gliding through clouds of suds. Staff members joined in as well, with several frolicking in the suds along with the residents. A fabulous time was had by all! For more photos of the celebration, please click here. |
 |
|
|
Senator Cory Booker Holds Veterans Town Hall |
|
|
 |
Commissioner Vincent Solomeno and Senator Cory Booker at a Veterans Town Hall at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum in Holmdel. |
|
|
On August 26, Commissioner Vincent Solomeno participated in a Veterans Town Hall with U.S. Senator Cory Booker at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum in Holmdel. Together with Assemblywoman Melinda Kane, Vice Chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, they fielded questions from Garden State Veterans and their families.
Senator Booker and Commissioner Solomeno also visited the solemn memorial adjacent to the museum. The DVA team is committed to ensuring Veterans are receiving the care and support they have earned through their service. A special thank you to Amy Osborn, CEO, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, and the exceptional museum docents for providing a warm and educational welcome. For more photos of the town hall, please click here. |
 |
|
|
End-of-Summer Luau at Vineland Home |
|
|
 |
Vineland resident participates in pie-throwing contest at the home's end-of-summer luau. |
|
|
The Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland also hosted a festive celebration to send off the summer season. The facility held a luau-themed party complete with Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, and leis, as well as multiple fun activities for the residents and staff to enjoy.
Residents and staff came together to take part in a pie-throwing contest, tug-of-war, and some staff members even got dunked in the dunk tank. Refreshments included ice cream and water ice - a perfect way to end the summer season! For more photos of the event, please click here. |
 |
|
|
|
 | We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, we take our responsibility to serve Veterans and their families very seriously. With the launch of our newly established department, we are expanding our team and actively hiring for a variety of new roles across the state. Whether supporting Veterans through nursing care, transitional housing, or helping them navigate access to earned benefits, our staff deliver essential services every day—while building meaningful, rewarding careers in public service.
Subscribe to the MilVets Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
| | Vacancies |
|
|
|
|
DVA Veterans Services & Resources |
|
|
 |
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 |
|
|
 |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
| Contact DVA |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
 | veterans.nj.gov
NJ Department of Veterans Affairs 101 Eggerts Crossing Road 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. |
|
|
|
