Operation NJ Home Front is off to a great start!
"On behalf of The Adjutant General, MG Glenn K. Rieth, allow me to say thank you. Your overwhelming generosity, support, and caring of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is nothing short of amazing. I have seen the pictures of the pillows you are donating and sending to LTC Scannell. I am sure all members of the IBCT will appreciate the added comfort on their long flight. Again, thank you for taking the time to make our soldiers feel appreciated."
COL. James J. Grant, Chief of Staff 8-14-08
To read letter from NJ TAG, MAJ GEN Glenn K. Rieth, visit our testimonial page.
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| Operation NJ Home Front -- Training Phase
Supporting Deployment of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
About 3,000 New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers completed their training at Fort Bliss, TX, on Aug. 30-31, 2008. They have now shipped out to Iraq. It is the largest deployment of NJ civilian warriors since World War II. Soldiers come from all 21 counties in NJ.
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon is gathering partners to further its mission to improve morale for these soldiers. Already hard at work is the New Jersey Credit Union League, which is working with its 150 member credit unions to plan collections of food and personal care products for these brave men and women. (CLICK HERE for more info on the NJCUL.)
Previously:
A farewell Ceremony was held on June 14, 2008, on Doughboy Field at Fort Dix, NJ (pictures at bottom of page).
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, Inc. is proud to be a supporter of these brave men and women who serve their State in a critical event in its history. We have a lot of work to do! We ask all our supporters and corporate sponsors and Special Friends in the New York Metro area (especially those that live and conduct business in the State of New Jersey) to open your hearts and wallets and help us make a difference with these brave civilian warriors and their families back home.
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| The deployment of the NJ Army Natl Guard is bringing out the best in NJ citizens. On August 6, two 13-year-old girls dropped off items collected for the troops at Unilever's Englewood Cliffs, NJ, headquarters. Shown here are Megan R. (L) and Megan K. (R) with Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon's Mercy R. Mercy's Dad is one of the soldiers being deployed in September to Iraq. Items were packed on Friday and are being shipped to several Guard units training at Fort Bliss, TX. (See August 10th Update below for more information.) |
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| Flight Pillow donated by NJ Credit Union League. Click on image for more info on NJCUL efforts. |
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| The New Jersey Credit Union League and its participating member credit unions (see below) are making sure our NJ Army National Guard troops have a more comfortable flight to Iraq. The League purchased more than 3,000 flight pillows to send to Fort Bliss, TX. On Wednesday, August 13th, the League trucked the pillows to Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and on Thursday, August 14th, the pillows were shipped to Texas. The pillows will not only be useful for the long flight over to Iraq, they will provide comfort during deployment when the soldiers have time for a catnap. Our sincere thanks go to the NJ Credit Union League and participating member credit unions and to its Director of Marketing, Candice Areia, for her staunch support and leadership.
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| "On behalf of COL Steve Ferrari and the entire 50th JASG-C, we would like to thank the entire Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon organization, the New Jersey Credit Union League and Unilever for buying and delivering these travel pillows to us before we travel to Iraq. It will make the journey much more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting New Jersey soldiers."
MAJ John T., 50th IBCT 8-15-08
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| Fidel (center) shows off his strength lifting carton of donated flight pillows destined for Fort Bliss, TX, while Luis (L) and Ricardo look on. Pillows were sent not only to the NJ ARNG but also to hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany. |
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August 10, 2008 Update:
Operation NJ Home Front is bringing out the best in NJ citizens. On August 6, three 13-yr-old NJ girls -- Megan K., Megan R. and Nicole C. -- dropped off collected snacks, personal care products and cash donations for the troops at Unilever's Americas headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. CLICK HERE for more information on the girls' project. All the items were packed up on Friday, August 8, and are being shipped to Fort Bliss, TX, to several of the 50th IBCT units.
The Hackensack Pastry Shop of Hackensack, NJ, donated 20lbs of Italian cookies for several of our units. Thanks to owners Jack and Kathleen S. for their generosity.
Recently, the New York Yankees donated 200 hats for the NJ troops.
The New Jersey Credit Union League and several of its members are collecting items for the troops. (See below for more info.)
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| Cartons headed for Fort Bliss were packed on Friday, August 8. Shown here are (L to R): Traci H., Chuck P., Mercy R., George Z., Mary-Edna K. and Gilbert K. |
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| Over 2,700 NJ Army National Guard soldiers in formation at the Farewell Ceremony June 14, 2008, at Doughboy Field at Fort Dix, NJ. |
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See below for Photo Album with pictures from the Farewell Ceremony and other farewell visits:
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| Aerial view of the 50th IBCT in formation at Farewell Ceremony at Doughboy Field, Fort Dix, NJ, on June 14, 2008. |
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