Reinforcing his commitment to New Jersey's veterans, National Guard members and their families, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today signed legislation that creates and enhances assistance tools that provide financial support and peer counseling services through the New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council Fund and the Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone helpline.
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Christie Improves Services To NJ Veterans, Families
Reinforcing his commitment to New Jersey's veterans, National Guard members and their families, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today signed legislation that creates and enhances assistance tools that provide financial support and peer counseling services through the New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council Fund and the Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone helpline.
Christie Orders Flags Lowered For Pitman's Plutino
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today signed the following Executive Order:
Executive Order No. 71 - Ordering all State buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Friday, August 12, 2011 to honor the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeant Alessandro Plutino, a 2001 graduate of Pitman High School, who lost his life serving on active duty in Afghanistan.
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Executive Order No. 71 - Ordering all State buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Friday, August 12, 2011 to honor the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeant Alessandro Plutino, a 2001 graduate of Pitman High School, who lost his life serving on active duty in Afghanistan.
Christie: Honor Those Who Made 'Ultimate Sacrifice'
IIn honor of Memorial Day, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie yesterday joined Major General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, and a number of our State's veterans at the State's Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. The Doyle Cemetery, with approximately 15 burials each business day, covers 225 acres and was designed to accommodate 154,000 men and women who have served in the Armed Forces as well as their families.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who wore this nation’s uniform and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty, democracy and freedom,” said Governor Christie. “I am pleased to join veterans and their families to honor the selfless service and sacrifices made by the veterans who are laid to rest at Doyle Cemetery.”
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), led by Major General Rieth, provides services to New Jersey’s more than 460,000 veterans from the time they leave military service until they are laid to rest. In addition to supporting all of the vital programs provided by DMAVA, including a toll-free mental health hotline for veterans, Governor Christie has signed legislation that strengthens the support network for military families after the death of a service member, as well as a program that awards high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out to serve in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
In addition to the cemetery, DMAVA operates three Veterans Memorial Homes - Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland - as well as a transitional housing program for homeless veterans in Winslow Township. DMAVA also maintains a statewide network of Veterans Service Offices who work to ensure all of the state’s veterans receive the federal and state entitlements earned through their service. The DMAVA team of 18 Veterans Service Officers accounted for the awarding of nearly $72 million in federal benefits to New Jersey veterans last year.
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“Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who wore this nation’s uniform and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty, democracy and freedom,” said Governor Christie. “I am pleased to join veterans and their families to honor the selfless service and sacrifices made by the veterans who are laid to rest at Doyle Cemetery.”
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), led by Major General Rieth, provides services to New Jersey’s more than 460,000 veterans from the time they leave military service until they are laid to rest. In addition to supporting all of the vital programs provided by DMAVA, including a toll-free mental health hotline for veterans, Governor Christie has signed legislation that strengthens the support network for military families after the death of a service member, as well as a program that awards high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out to serve in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
In addition to the cemetery, DMAVA operates three Veterans Memorial Homes - Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland - as well as a transitional housing program for homeless veterans in Winslow Township. DMAVA also maintains a statewide network of Veterans Service Offices who work to ensure all of the state’s veterans receive the federal and state entitlements earned through their service. The DMAVA team of 18 Veterans Service Officers accounted for the awarding of nearly $72 million in federal benefits to New Jersey veterans last year.
Runyan: Restore Trust In Arlington Gravesite Quest
The Veterans’ Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee has passed HR 1627, legislation which advances key language sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Congressman David Loebsack (D-IA) that would end an unofficial system of “reserved” gravesites for VIPs at Arlington National Cemetery. “I thank the Committee for their support. Today, we begin the process of rebuilding trust with how this treasured national shrine manages burial reservations,” said Congressman Runyan. “Veterans’ families throughout the country can begin to believe in the process once again. Passing this legislation will ensure that all eligible veterans have an equal chance and opportunity to be laid to rest and it ensures that no veteran is given preferential treatment. It confirms a commitment we all share that we honor our nation’s veterans and their families both in life and death.”
“Arlington National Cemetery is our nation’s most hallowed ground and the mismanagement that has been uncovered at the cemetery is disgraceful,” said Loebsack. “Backroom deals and off the book reservations in violation of Army policy are counter to everything Arlington stands for. This legislation will put an end to this shameful practice and will ensure that any person who has fought for our nation will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, without regard for rank or status.”
Until 1962, gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery were allowed to be reserved. However, the Army reversed the policy after 1962 and determined that gravesites should be provided to any qualified military veteran regardless of rank or status.
Despite this change in policy, it became apparent that past superintendents of Arlington National Cemetery allowed this unofficial reservation process to continue. The new Executive Director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, Kathryn Condon, last year announced that the Army will continue to honor reservations made properly before 1962 as long as the deceased meet current eligibility requirements.
Congressman Runyan and Congressman Loebsack’s legislative language, which was included with other bills in a package, would end the unofficial reservation system at Arlington National Cemetery and require the Army to investigate the number of plots that may have been set aside in defiance of the 1962 policy.
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“Arlington National Cemetery is our nation’s most hallowed ground and the mismanagement that has been uncovered at the cemetery is disgraceful,” said Loebsack. “Backroom deals and off the book reservations in violation of Army policy are counter to everything Arlington stands for. This legislation will put an end to this shameful practice and will ensure that any person who has fought for our nation will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, without regard for rank or status.”
Until 1962, gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery were allowed to be reserved. However, the Army reversed the policy after 1962 and determined that gravesites should be provided to any qualified military veteran regardless of rank or status.
Despite this change in policy, it became apparent that past superintendents of Arlington National Cemetery allowed this unofficial reservation process to continue. The new Executive Director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, Kathryn Condon, last year announced that the Army will continue to honor reservations made properly before 1962 as long as the deceased meet current eligibility requirements.
Congressman Runyan and Congressman Loebsack’s legislative language, which was included with other bills in a package, would end the unofficial reservation system at Arlington National Cemetery and require the Army to investigate the number of plots that may have been set aside in defiance of the 1962 policy.
Obama Honors Vets -- In Korea And INDONESIA!
At the New York Post Charles Hurt has a great column about how President Obama not only managed to be out of the country on veterans Day but also about how the President honored Indonesian heroes while we celebrated Veteran's Day here at home. here's part of what Hurt says:
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Remembering Those Who Defend Our Freedoms
God we thank you for commissioning men and women in the defense of freedom. We honor those who honor and protect us, in many cases laying down their lives that we might live free to pursue our own destiny.
Every soldier takes his or her oath knowing he or she may be called upon to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Lord, we cannot repay this gift they give us.
For those who have suffered as a result of their sacrifice, we ask for supernatural healing, favor, peace, and in some cases, forgetfulness.
Lift from them the cares and burdens of violence.
When they return home, give them opportunities to fulfill their own potentials and dreams.
Open doors for them, even when some doors are closed.
God, Bless our veterans.