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.

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NJARNG to choose two Soldiers Veterans Outreach Schedule for FLW Bass Fishing Tournament The New Jersey National Guard Recruiting & Retention Com- mand will be selecting two service members to represent the state at the FLW Bass Fishing Tournament at Po- tomac River, Md. as a National Guard co-angler during the tourna- ment scheduled June 1 – 5. As an NG co-angler, the selected Soldiers will have an opportu- nity to win cash prizes. Consequently, Soldiers must show a very keen interest and passion for fishing, as they will be fishing along- side professional anglers that compete as a livelihood and take these tournaments seriously. Furthermore, a stipulation for these Soldiers is they cannot be on official duty during the tournament. Soldiers must take annual leave if on AGR or ADOS status. Commanders or supervisors wishing to nominate a Soldier April 2 should contact Sgt. 1st Class Melanie R. Rowton, marketing and Vietnam Veterans Education Center advertising NCOIC at NJ NG Recruiting & Retention Command, PNC Bank Art Center, Holmdel, NJ 07777 via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 732- Outreach Event Only 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 974-5940. Suspense date to fill the two slots is May 1. April 7 For more information or rules of the tournament, please visit their New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home Web site at: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/flw/rules/ 524 North West Boulevard, Vineland, NJ 08360 Medal ceremony only in Auditorium starting at 1:30 p.m.

Annual golf tournament outing May 7 Join the T3BL Soldiers’ Association at their Annual Golf New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Tournament on May 20 at the Fountain Green Golf Course in Joint PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ 07777 Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Outreach Event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The tournament will start at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start, NJ Vietnam Veterans Remembrance & medal ceremony 11 a.m. Captain and Crew – best ball format. The entrance fee of $100 per person will cover greens fee, cart, refreshments and door prizes. May 21 In addition, a buffet lunch will be held at 2 p.m. in building American Legion Post No. 65 3601. Lake Ave & Holly Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840 Prizes will be awarded to the first through fourth place teams for Outreach Event Only 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. low gross score; also for closest to pin on hole 3, longest drive, both men and women on hole 6, and the straightest drive on hole 11. Seventh annual SGT Nutter Run Send a list of your foursome and a check to T3BL Soldiers Looking to improve your running stamina and also helping a Association, ATTN: MSG Mark Rizzo, Bldg 3601 Technology family in need? Drive, JB MDL, NJ 08640. All payments should be received not later than May 13. Well, the 7th Annual 2011 SGT Nutter Run will be held on Sun- For questions or more information, contact Master Sgt. Rizzo at day May 15 at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, N.J., 609- 562-0513. at 10:30 a.m. Sgt. Sam Nutter (1/28/66-1/2/2005) was a member of the New Current Guardlife issue available online Jersey Army National Guard and served in the U.S Navy. Each year the NJ ARNG Officer Candidate School holds a benefit 5k run The New Jersey National Guard Magazine “Guardlife” - Volume in his memory and 100 percent of the proceeds raised are donated 35 Issue No. 2 is now available on the Internet in a user friendly online Web version at the following Web address: http://nj.gov/ to a NJ ARNG family in need. This year’s proceeds will go to the military/publications/guardlife/volume35no2/index.html. family of Sgt. Michael Suplee, a current NJ ARNG member whose The “Hometown Team” magazine Guardlife provides up to date wife was diagnosed with Lupus. information on the happenings within the New Jersey Army and Registration is currently open at the organization’s Web site: Air National Guard. http://www.nutterrun.org/registration.html or you can register on For all the current news on our Soldiers and Airmen take a look the day of the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the new issue today. The SGT Sam Nutter Organization is a registered non-profit To view past issues of Guardlife magazine online you can visit organization which exists solely to benefit the lives of National the DMAVA Publication homepage at http://www.nj.gov/military/ Guard families in need. publications/. Page 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Army ‘ Knights’ Jersey bound West Point ensemble to perform Bernardsville – The U.S. Army Jazz Knights will perform a free concert on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the Bernards High School Performing Arts Center in Bernardsville. are one of four components of the Military Academy Band - the U.S. Army’s oldest active band and the oldest unit at West Point, tracing its roots to the Revolutionary War. Members of the group are graduates of some of America’s most prestigious music schools and are recruited and selected through a competitive audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Bringing over three decades of musical excellence to their audi- ences, the ’s Jazz Knights present the best in big band favorites, popular music, and original compositions and ar- rangements for jazz ensemble. As a part of their education mission, the Jazz Knights’ visit to The Tiger Cub Scout Pack 62 of Toms River visited the National Guard Bernardsville will include workshops for both the Bernardsville Militia Museum of New Jersey at Sea Girt on Saturday, March 26. Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Bernards High School Jazz En- semble Free tickets will be available beginning March 1 at Bernards Free enrichment retreat for Soldiers High School, Bernardsville Middle School and outlets throughout Come enjoy a free Army National Guard couples’ enrichment Bernardsville, Bedminster and Basking Ridge or by e-mailing bh- retreat at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, N.J., the weekend [email protected]. of April 15 – 17. Soldiers can attend this retreat in a split unit training assembly Blue Star Mothers to host ziti dinner (SUTA) status. Couples will receive Strong Bonds (PREP) training from ANG for stricken Soldier chaplains. Strong Bonds/Marriage Enrichment is a practical ap- The Blue Star Mothers of the Jersey Shore Chapter No. 4 is host- plication opportunity to learn what works in a marriage and what ing a Ziti dinner fundraiser for a stricken Soldier on April 3 from 3 makes a marriage work. p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 133. This is not counseling nor group therapy session, but a weekend Sgt. Christopher C. Deremer is currently serving in the New Jer- to “reconnect” with your significant other by receiving tools and sey Army National Guard and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Free- information for better communication and relationship building. dom by having served as a medic with the 42nd Infantry Division In addition, hotel accommodations and meals are paid for by the in Iraq. Family Program during the retreat. He was recently diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer, which has For more information or to sign up for this retreat, please contact now traveled to his bones and brains. Marie Durling, family program specialist, at 609-530-6884 or via The Ziti dinner will include ziti, meatballs, salad, bread, soda, e-mail at [email protected]. water and deserts. A DJ will provide entertainment during the The retreat is limited to the first 25 couples. event. In addition, a gift-basket auction will be held there. The Heldrich Hotel is located at 10 Livingston Avenue, New Families are invited to attend. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for Brunswick, N.J. children under age 12. To reserve, call Kathleen at 732-673- 0055 or email KZapic@ NJJWV to host annual breakfast comcast.net. Tickets are available in advance or at the door on the evening of the dinner. The Department of New Jersey Jewish War Veterans will hold The Blue Star Mothers of the Jersey Shore Chapter No. 4 is a their 30th annual Legislative Breakfast on May 1, 2011 at 9 a.m. group of mothers who have or have had children serving in all at Tinton Falls, N.J. branches of the U.S. military. The event will honor Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and the volunteer Members of the nonprofit service organization support each service coordinators at the three state nursing homes and the two other, their children, veterans, wounded warriors and Gold Star VA hospitals in New Jersey. families. The breakfast event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tinton For more information on the organization, log on to www. Falls, which is just off Garden State Parkway exit 105. bsm-nj4.org. The cost for this event is $22 per person. VFW Post No. 133 is located at 483 Cranbury Road, East Anyone interested in attending the event, please contact past Brunswick, N.J. department commander Robert Jacobs at 732-323-8680 or via E-mail at [email protected] to make reservations.

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Soldiers train on WinT system Battleship NJ; calling all By Sgt. Bill Addison, 444th MPAD The 50th Infantry Brigade Vietnam War re-enactors Combat Team held a com- The Battleship New Jersey will host the inaugural Vietnam War munications exercise on Joint Living History Day on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst The event will feature Vietnam War re-enactors throughout the on March 19-20 to familiarize ship, military vehicles on the pier, presentations by Vietnam vet- its signal Soldiers with a new erans in the officers’ wardroom and a barbeque from 12 p.m. -3 $40 million communications p.m. on the fantail. The barbeque, featuring hot dogs, chicken and Spec. Chris Hall-McRae, left Spec. network. Richard Schaber and Sgt. Kyle Mc- more, will be prepared and grilled by a local restaurant. In addi- The Warfighter Information Neill, all from 102nd Cavalry work tion, the festivities will also include bar service and the classic Network-Tactical (WinT) is together on the battalion node of rock sounds of a premier classic-rock cover band from southern the Army’s high-speed, high- the Warfighter Information Net- New Jersey. capacity backbone communi- work-Tactical (WIN-T) online during an exercise at Joint Base McGuire- Any Vietnam War re-enactors that participate in this event will cations network. Designed to Dix-Lakehurst on March 19. receive a free tour of the Battleship and a free lunch at the bar- maintain full communication beque. capabilities in an environment Guests that day can enjoy all Vietnam Living History activities, with no communications infra- gave the different battalion and with the exception of food and drink at the barbeque, at no addi- structure, the WinT can be used company signal teams a chance tional cost. Guests can come aboard for a tour and experience these to work together with the bri- domestically to set up field additional activities with any tour ticket. communications networks in an gade signal shop. Located on the Delaware River, along the Camden Waterfront emergency setting where phone “This is the first time as a across from the City of Philadelphia, the Battleship is open for and power lines are down, as brigade we’ve sat down and guided and audio tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. well as mobile communication tried to get the whole system hubs to keep companies and running,” said Capt. Jared Lid- – 3 p.m. through March. battalions in communication del, the S6 2nd Battalion of the The ship will open every day for tours beginning April 1. with brigade HQ. 113th Infantry. For more information regarding the Battleship call 1-866-877- “The commander wants to According to Liddel, signal 6262 ext. 203 or visit their Web site at www.battleshipnewjersey. pick up that phone, know if it’s Soldiers have spent the past org. classified or unclassified, he few months training at Fort Re-enactors should call 1-866-877-6262 ext. 144 or email Jack wants to send data traffic,” said Gordon, Ga. in preparation for Willard at [email protected]. Capt. Joseph Kling, the S6 for receiving the new equipment. the 3rd Battalion of the 112th The brigade received its WinT Field Artillery. system in November. According to Kling, the WinT One of the soldiers who went system is designed to be a highly through the training at Fort mobile satellite network which Gordon was Pfc. Daniel Del- allows commanders to keep in toro, network administrator for constant communication with the 113th Infantry. their subordinate units without “It helps me as a soldier feel the need for line-of-site type very confident in that this is not communications. Instead, the the sort of equipment you get system connects to the Global to handle every day,” he said. Information Grid via satellite, “Having an exercise like this giving them connectivity any- really helps especially, since where in the world. during a deployment I would “This is going to create the be expected to know how to set basic internet structure you this up.” have at home, but it does it any- The Union, N.J. native said where in the world,” he said. his experience in the National Maj. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, second from left, Commander of the The weekend’s mission goals Guard and training with sys- New Jersey Air National Guard, poses with U.S. Sen. Robert Menen- were light, simply making a tems like the WinT is why he dez, second from right, and his children Alicia and Robert Menendez Jr., after being presented the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award satellite connection, and testing is currently studying computer 2011 at a ceremony at the Performing Arts Center, Middlesex County data and voice signal transition, science in college. College, Edison, on March 28. The award, which is named after the but it’s a big step in gaining “When I joined the guard I Senator’s late mother, honors all New Jersey women, essential to confidence in the equipment, loved this MOS, and I decided I the growth and progress of the great state. Menendez has created the Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony, an annual event during and their own ability to use it wanted to do it full time on the Women’s History Month, so that six outstanding New Jerseyans are in a real time scenario. It also civilian side,” he said. recognized for their contributions. (Courtesy photo.) Page 6