September 13, 2008
CEDAR GROVE— U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) was today joined by special guest General Glenn K. Rieth of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and over 150 veterans and various service providers at the Cedar Grove VFW for the Congressman’s 10th annual veterans fair.
“With the largest deployment of New Jersey National Guard members since World War II shipping out, it is more critical than ever for Garden State veterans and their families to be aware of all the services and resources available to them,” stated Pascrell. “I am honored to be joined by General Rieth and all of the program participants who join us today with one goal in mind; to better serve those who have served us in the United Sates military.”
Joining Pascrell for the annual fair were various government agencies, veteran support groups, heath care providers, small business officials and insurance providers.
Pascrell, the author of the “Veterans Right to Know Act” which was signed into law in 2001, emphasized the importance of outreach to all of America’s veterans.
“When I first arrived in Washington, I made it a priority to enact legislation that would require the VA to inform all veterans of the benefits they earned,” stated Pascrell. “The legislation helped enroll so many new veterans that demand for service from the VA health care system also increased. In order to meet demand, this Congress prioritized services for America’s veterans. We have responded by providing the largest funding for veterans’ health care in the VA’s 77-year history. Right here in Passaic County we responded by opening a new VA clinic at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.”
On July 2, 2003, Pascrell announced the opening of a new veterans’ clinic at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Pascrell secured the clinic by convincing the VA of Passaic County’s need for an outpatient clinic despite a moratorium on all Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
In reference to the current deployment of New Jersey’s National Guard, General Rieth addressed the veterans by stating, “It’s a privilege to serve our state and nation with you and we’re going to get through this together. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is fully funded and committed to New Jersey’s troops while they serve and when they return home.”
Rieth also stressed the importance of community support for the families of service members when he told the assembled crowd, “You can continue to make a difference by supporting the families left in communities.”
Following his presentation, Rieth presented Pascrell with the prestigious Charles Dick Medal of Merit for his exceptional solidarity with New Jersey’s National Guard, commitment to veterans’ causes, action to secure a new veterans outpatient clinic at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and success in establishing a new National Guard recruiting center in Paterson
The Charles Dick Medal of Merit is awarded by the New Jersey National Guard and National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) to individuals who have distinguished themselves as outstanding Americans.
“While I am humbled to receive this honor, the real honor goes out to the thousands of New Jersey National Guard members who are serving us abroad and preparing to deploy overseas. The work I have completed to make life a little easier for our active duty guard members and veterans is no match for the incredible sacrifices they endure for our freedom. With this great honor, and with the largest deployment of New Jersey Guard Members since World War II, I feel a greater responsibility than ever before to step up and provide for our troops while they fight overseas and when they return home,” concluded Pascrell.
