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About NJ Veteran Journal:
The New Jersey Veteran Journal is an official publication of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is intended to serve New Jersey's veterans, their families, friends and concerned individuals and groups. All correspondence should be sent to: Veteran Journal Editor, NJDMAVA/PA, PO Box 340, Trenton, NJ 08625-0340 |
Message from the Governor
Today we are faced with new challenges, in yet another part of the world. The number of New Jerseyans protecting our freedoms right now is at an historic high, with more than 3,000 citizen soldiers involved in combat operations. I had the opportunity to personally thank these brave men and women during a visit to Iraq, and was proud of their sense of duty, dedication, and responsibility as they take on the most difficult of tasks. These soldiers represent every county in New Jersey. Some are new recruits, others are seasoned combat veterans, but they are all making sacrifices. And let us not forget the “home front heroes,” the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, husbands, wives, and children, who worry each day about their loved one and must make difficult adjustments in their lives. Also there are the employers, who must make do without their employee for a year. I truly appreciate how the veterans’ community has stepped up to stand sideby- side with these individuals who are making sacrifices of their own in service of the state and nation. But perhaps the biggest challenge lies ahead of us in June, when the state will have the largest influx of combat veterans since World War II. This is when the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team comes back from its tour of duty overseas. It will be the duty of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and all of New Jersey to assist our veterans upon their return. There are certainly post deployment programs in place to help with the re-integration into families and the workplace, and an excellent post traumatic stress disorder hotline ready to talk to the veteran and refer for treatment. And we have the Yellow Ribbon Commission and the Guard’s State Family Readiness Council ready to respond to financial needs of the families. But most importantly we have the collective consciousness of a thankful New Jersey, and we have you, the veteran, to let these newest brothers and sisters in arms know they are not alone. They will need the opportunity to speak to someone who has served in a combat zone, to tell their own story. This will be the opportunity to give a much-deserved “welcome home” to these new veterans and let them know their service is appreciated beyond measure. There are memorial services, dedications, and medal ceremonies, but most importantly it is the services that New Jersey provides to our half-million veterans that is the greatest measure of how we honor their service. And with your support I know we will continue to honor every veteran that calls the Garden State home.
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(c) 2009 - NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs |