HIGHLIGHTS March 30, 2011 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
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DMAVA HIGHLIGHTS March 30, 2011 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Philip J. Uecker, right, Veterans Liaison for U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo agreeing unanimously to a resolution introduced by Sen. Richard Burr (R- (R-2nd Dist.) presents Vineland Veterans Memorial Home resident Ollen N.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. On Bennett, left, a certificate from Congressman LoBiondo honoring his ser- March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of vice during the Vietnam War during a ceremony at the Home on March 30. the Treaty of Paris. This March 30, the Senate has encouraged Americans Vietnam Veterans, both residents and staff, of the Vineland Home were across the country to recognize Vietnam veterans for their sacrifice and honored at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day program. The U.S. demonstrate a warm welcome to these Soldiers who returned from war to Senate declared March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,” a politically divided country. (Photo by Mark C. Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.) HIGHLIGHTS “Winning!” NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy cadet wins by losing By Sgt. Wayne Woolley potential,” Grosso said. “This DMAVA/PA is your responsibility to help When Matthew Jenkins ensure this nation prospers enrolled in the New Jersey in an age of rapidly changing Youth ChalleNGe Academy technology.” at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Army Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Lakehurst, his goal was to Rieth, The Adjutant General leave the program with some- of New Jersey, said that all thing very important: a high of the graduates have been school diploma. given a second chance to get But it was something the their lives on track and make 16-year-old West Orange ca- a positive contribution to so- New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe graduate Matthew Jenkins celebrates af- det ended up leaving without ciety. He noted that two of the ter earning his high school diploma on Saturday, March 26 at Joint Base that may prove to be nearly as McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Jenkins, who lost more than 60 pounds dur- cadets, Jahi Davis of Hillside, ing the 22 weeks he spent at JB MDL, was among the 101 graduates of the important for his future as an N.J., and Manuel Prados of program for at risk youth. (Photo by Spc. Patrick Nogan, 444th MPAD) aspiring law-enforcement of- Old Bridge, N.J., had already ficer: 60 excess pounds. begun making those contribu- Jenkins was among 101 ca- tions. Both will join the New in me and then I started to be- With a fit body, a high school dets who graduated Saturday, Jersey Air National Guard. lieve in me.” diploma, and a new determi- March 25, from the 22-week “The moment they raise their Jenkins became part of a nation, Jenkins has enrolled residency program for at-risk right hand, they are American group the cadre called “the in Essex Community College. youths, which is run by the heroes because they are de- Big Boys Club,” cadets who His goal is to be accepted into New Jersey National Guard. fending our way of life,” Ri- not only needed to work on his county’s police academy The aim of the program is eth said. their minds, but their bodies after he’s earned 60 college to provide mentorship, instill For Jenkins, who dropped as well. All lost more than 20 credits. discipline and ultimately en- out of high school in West pounds, but Jenkins lost the After Jenkins graduated, his sure that cadets receive a high Orange at age 16, graduat- most, dropping from 285 to mother, Luz Jenkins, said it school diploma and leave the ing from the Youth Challenge 224 on a steady regimen of was almost like meeting her program with a plan to fur- Program simply gives him a extra physical training and a son for the first time. ther their education, enlist in new lease on life. diet that went from supersized “I can’t believe it, he’s so the military or with solid job Before he entered the pro- meals at McDonalds to chick- beautiful,” she said. “He’s like prospects. gram, he said he felt adrift and en breasts and brown rice. a different person. He looks JB MDL Commander Air lacked motivation. His weight “Jenkins was one of the most different and he acts different. Force Col. Gina M. Grosso had ballooned to 285 pounds, motivated cadets I’ve seen in I’m so proud of him.” was the keynote speaker for his diet was terrible and the eight years,” said David Rich- the graduation at Villa Vic- word exercise wasn’t in his ardson, a staff sergeant with toria Academy in Ewing and vocabulary. the ChalleNGe cadre. “He was she urged Class 33 to take ad- “Something just clicked in up at five without complaint vantage of everything they’ve the program, all the cadre was and completely embraced ev- learned. pulling for me to succeed,” erything we told him about “You must reach your full Jenkins said. “They believed living a healthy lifestyle.” DMAVA Highlights is published weekly by the Public Affairs Of- New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs fice of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth – The Adjutant General The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those Brig. Gen. James J. Grant – Director, Joint Staff of the Department of Defense, the Army, the Air Force, the National Raymond Zawacki – Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Guard, Veterans Affairs or the state of New Jersey. Letters may be sent CW2 Patrick Daugherty – Public Affairs Officer to: NJDMAVA, DMAVA Highlights, Public Affairs Office, PO Box Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez - Public Affairs Specialist 340, Trenton NJ 08625-0340. e-mail at [email protected]. Sgt. Wayne Woolley – Public Affairs Specialist Page 2 HIGHLIGHTS Legion comes through for Veteran’s Haven Ray Zawacki, right to left, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, along with American Legion State Commander for New Jersey Robert Looby and Dave MacKinnon, Norix Furniture, pose in front of the fur- niture that the Legion is purchasing for the new addition at Veteran’s Haven during the American Legion meeting at the War Memorial in Trenton on Dec. 4, 2010. MacKinnon is also assisting his two children with a project to provide a lamp and clock for each night table. (Photo courtesy American Legion.) By Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA/PA in 1994, the American Legion, along with veterans. So he reached out to VanLew and “Originally we just wanted to furnish each other veteran’s service organizations have asked him what else the Legion could get. bedroom.” been instrumental in obtaining donations, VanLew said that the treatment lab needed That was the goal according to Robert both monetary and material and services for furniture so Looby had that programmed Looby, the American Legion State Com- the facility,” said Sean VanLew, Assistant into the purchase. mander for New Jersey, when he talked Superintendent Veteran’s Haven. “Everytime we almost reached our goal about his 2010 Commander’s Project to “It would cost $2,000 a room,” said Looby. I would ask Sean what else we could get raise enough money to furnish all 44 rooms No easy feat during these economic times. him,” said Looby. in the new addition to the existing 55-bed To raise awareness, Looby had a scale As more money came in, Looby asked Veteran’s Haven – a transitional housing model of the room on display at the Ameri- VanLew what else could be purchased; Van- program at Winslow Township, which is run can Legion meeting at the War Memorial in Lew said that the facility’s new computer by the New Jersey Department of Military Trenton on Dec. 4, 2010. Dave MacKinnon lab needed computers. and Veteran’s Affairs. of Norix Furniture was also at the meeting to “So we got an estimate for the computer What no one expected was the outpouring answer any questions that may have arisen lab and the Ocean County Post is going to support that came from all the American Le- about the set up of each room. buy all the computers,” said Looby. gion posts across the state for the residents By that point with donations from 12 That’s $13,000 worth of computers! of the Haven. counties, Looby had raised almost $82,000 The New Jersey American Legion Posts It began in 2009 when ground was broken toward furnishing the addition. With an- had taken this project to their hearts, which for the 44-room addition at the Veteran’s other 10 counties to add to the final amount, resulted in them buying all the furnishings Haven. there seemed little doubt that the veterans for the new addition. Because of increased construction costs, would be taken care of. As of this writing the American Legion the original amount appropriated for the What happened next exceeded everyone’s has raised an unprecedented $151,000, mak- furnishings had been absorbed through con- expectations: more donations came in. ing this one of the largest single donations in struction and a new source was needed if the As the money arrived, it quickly became support of New Jersey’s veterans ever by a project was to be completed. apparent that Looby’s goal of furnishing the veterans’ organization. Enter the American Legion. rooms would be easily met. Looby now had “We still have another four counties; so “Since the opening of the original facility to consider what else could be done for the we’re not done yet,” said Looby.