Welcome to the Dept of New Jersey of American Gold Star Mothers. If you're a Gold Star mom from New Jersey and would like to meet others in your situation please contact us.

MAY/JUNE 2013 JERSEY JOTS

Well so much for the ground hog and his prediction for Spring. Let’s hope now that the busy month of May is coming up, the weather will be warm and wonderful. May is Military Appreciation Month and there are events and ceremonies throughout the entire month. Of course, Memorial Day; but to all the families of the fallen, every day is Memorial Day. Please consider attending any ceremonies that may be close to your hometown. Our presence is important and appreciated by all when we participate.

There are quite a few events and I wanted to get this out to you earlier so you can save the dates of those you prefer to attend. Thank you and always look forward to being together.

Judi

Remember, dedication is not what others expect of you, dedication is what you can do for others.

Honor and Remember Flag

GREAT NEWS – OCTOBER 4TH, 2012 – HONOR AND REMEMBER FLAG

Today the Honor and Remember Flag - Bill A-2029 - was unanimously passed on the Senate Floor. It was exciting to see all green lights on the voting board.

It is now official. The Bill will be signed by Governor Christie shortly. New Jersey has now joined 14 other states in support of their Gold Star Mothers and Families.

Thanks to all those who supported us from the time it was introduced Jan. 10, 2012 in Assembly, then referred to Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs, May 24th Passed by the Assembly, 75-0. May 31, 2012 Received by the Senate, July 26th, 2012 to Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Aug. 20th, 2012, 2nd Reading in Senate and finally Oct. 4, 2012, Posted: Senate and Passed!

Upcoming Events

• MAY 7, 2013 - NJ Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony; 11:00 AM at the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel, NJ. Rain or Shine. Helen Gurbisz will be there and we will be presenting our Gold Star Mothers wreath.
• MAY 8, 2013 - Gold Star, Blue Star Mothers Luncheon at the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse 101 Ward Street, Paterson, NJ 07505, 12:00 to 2:00 PM. There is no cost for you and one companion to attend this luncheon. RSVP by April 29th, 2013.
• MAY 11, 2013 - IMPRO FOR RON, Saturday, May 11th, 7:30PM, $10.00 Admission at the Jack Nicholson Theater, Manasquan High School to benefit the Ron Kubik Memorial Scholarship. Mother is Eileen Daly from the Bayshore Chapter.
• MAY 19, 2013 - Annual Convention Meeting and Spring Family Picnic at the American Legion Post 228, 860 Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737. Invitation went out under separate cover. Please RSVP as requested. judi.tapper@verizon.net.
• MAY 23, 2013 - Honor Day at the Country Club for Dinner. Invitations will be sent to you via mail. RSVP date must be honored or will not be able to attend.
• MAY 25, 2013 - Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Saturday at the Brigadier General William Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown,NJ. The parade of NJ Veteran organizations will pass in review at 10:30 and the Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 AM. All members invited and Judith Young brings the Gold Star Mothers Wreath to present.
• MAY 26, 2013 - Memorial Service at the Bible Baptist Church, 3:00 PM. This is a special Service and the invitation went out in an email. Please RSVP as requested to Pastor Dominick Cuozzo – 609-758-7667.
• MAY 24-27, 2013 - Join Rolling Thunder in Washington D.C. for the weekend. Reservations may be make at the Hyatt in Crystal City. Transportation to the events are provided by Rolling Thunder from the hotel. Friday night, Candlelight Vigil at the Wall, Saturday night dinner at the Hyatt and to the Pentagon on Sunday for the Annual demonstration. Program at the Lincoln Memorial area. All information is posted in the lobby of the hotel. The 27th, Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (your own transportation).
• MAY 25, 2013 - Marion Zilinski will be the guest speaker at the Spirit of Princeton Memorial Day Parade which will be on Saturday. Ceremony at 11:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade if you are available. 138 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ. Thank you.
• MAY 27, 2013 - Judi Tapper will be the guest speaker in Ocean City, NJ. There is no parade, just the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM. At the Memorial Park at 6th Street. Plenty of parking between 5th and 6th Streets.
• JUNE 2, 2013 - Matt Fenton Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Sunday at 9:00 AM, Willow Lake Park, 95 Main Street, Little Ferry, NJ. Register at www.raceforum.com/littleferry.
• JUNE 8, 2013 - NJ Fallen Service Member Tree Memorial Ceremony. Received invitations in the mail. If you require more parking passes, contact the Protocol Office, 973-724-7026. Begins at 9:00 AM at Building 93 with a continental breakfast. Dedication at 9:30 in the Lindner Conference Center. Building 93. All information is in the packet you received.
• JUNE 15, 2013 - Saturday – Survivor Outreach Services invites us to A Gold Star Family Brunch. Bordentown Armory, 1048 US Highway 206 South, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM RSVP by June 6th, to susan.c.mullen.civ@mail.mil.
• JUNE 21-23, 2013 - AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC. NATIONAL CONVENTION. All information is in the Gold Star Mother Magazine (Mar/Apr issue). Please check it out and join us in Las Vegas this year. You will have a great time.
• JUNE 30, 2013 - Hope & Possibility 5M, Sunday, June 30th, Central Park, New York City. Learn more, visit www.louieslife.org or contact Enza Marciante at 908-451-7658.

Past Events

GSM's man a booth at the Nam Knights Car and Motorcycle Show, May 5, 2013

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights, Mar 9, 2013

Eleven Gold Star Moms and family members attended. It was a huge parade, the crowds looked like the second picture for a two mile stretch.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Morristown, Mar 9, 2013

June Agusta, Pam Schwarz and Diane Fenton at the Morristown Parade.
Great scarves given to all that marched.

All the moms that marched at Morristown.

Freehold Borough Receives Honor and Remember Flag, Feb 19, 2013

Press Release

On Wednesday, February 19, 2013 American Legion Post 54 presented an Honor and Remember Flag to Mayor Nolan Higgins at the Freehold Borough Committee Meeting. The flying of this flag was authorized by Governor Chris Christie with the purpose to create, establish and promote a nationally recognized flag that would fly continuously as a visible
reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense or our national freedoms. All Military lives lost not only in action but also in service, from our nation’s inception. In our over 200 year history there has never been an official national symbol that specifically recognized in gratitude and respect the ultimate sacrifice made by members of the United States military in service to our nation. The Honor and Remember Flag was created for that purpose.

For additional information on the activities of American Legion Post 54 please contact:

Jerry Ham, Adjutant
American Legion Post 54
62 West Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
jerry.post54@gmail.com

Left to Right: Chaplain Tom Sheil, 1st Vice Cmdr Ken Pulchiopek NEC,
Commander James Schottman, Mayor Nolan Higgins, and Judge Advocate
Bernie Weinstein. Photo by Adjutant Jerry Ham.

NJ Gold Star Mothers honored by Wreaths Across America, Dec 12, 2012

Wednesday, Dec. 12, was a crisp New Jersey day and the famous Wreathes Across America convoy rested at the Vietnam War Memorial in Holmdel before moving to its final destination at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery.

Their mission is furthering remembrance of our military heroes. Accordingly, 14 New Jersey Gold Star Mothers and their lost heroes were honored at a heart-warming ceremony at the center of the Vietnam War Memorial.

The ceremony was attended by the National Gold Star Mothers president, Mary Beyer, members of Gold Star Families from across the country who were traveling with the convoy, New Jersey Gold Star Mothers and their families, and numerous members of military and government organizations.

The WAA convoy continued with its mission Thursday, Dec. 13, with a stop at the great Battleship New Jersey and with another planned stop at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery Saturday, Dec. 15.

Complete info on the WAA program visit can be viewed at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Bond forged in heartbreak, Gold Star Mothers offer solace Oct 23, 2012

Diane Fenton says she was one of the more fortunate among the mothers who have seen their soldier sons and daughters march off to war and return in a coffin.

The Little Ferry, N.J., woman was able to hold her son's hand and hug him before he died.

Read the whole article...